The idea, back in 1980, was to resurrect 's recording career by the same method that it had been launched with the album in 1973 -- by having his fellow and other well-known friends help out. was working on a song called and had one ready to go. Then was murdered in December. His song languished (his own version would be released in 1984), while took his tune back and rewrote the lyrics for what became his own hit, Then 's label, , lacked enthusiasm for the album, and he moved on to . Finally released as 33246, was 's strongest and most effervescent album since , containing two good songs by and one by -- which became 's final Top 40 hit -- along with music by , , and . Long out of print, reappeared on 's reissue label on September 6, 1994, with six bonus tracks, reflecting the changes made in the album from its original, unreleased version, that increased the album's length by nearly 70 percent and demonstrated that the later song selection was better. ~ William Ruhlmann