Written by Jimmy  Webb

Released in 1982, Angel Heart was the seventh album by legendary singer/songwriter Jimmy Webb. On that record, the gifted composer of evergreens like “Wichita Lineman, “Up, Up and Away,” “MacArthur Park” and “Galveston” presented his most recent songbook in the classic West Coast/pop style. Angel Heart was produced by Matthew McCauley and Fred Mollin, two talented music-makers who worked with acts like America, Dan Hill and Randy Edelman.

To achieve the perfect quality pop atmosphere, an impressive list of session greats were enlisted that included Toto members David Paich on keyboards, Steve Lukather on guitar and Jeff Porcaro (1954-1992) on drums. Dean Parks was also on guitar, Lee Sklar on bass and Victor Feldman (1934-1987) on percussion. Webb’s outstanding reputation also attracted some leading names like Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Stephen Bishop, Graham Nash, Gerry Beckley from America, Valerie Carter (1953-2017), Daryl Hall and Leah Kunkel to embellish the vocal harmonies on the various songs. David Foster appeared on the album playing acoustic piano on three tracks; “God’s Gift,” “His World” and the Song of the Week, “Nasty Love.”

“Nasty Love” was a pop/rock ballad of particular interest for its intricate melody and inventive arrangement. Lukather’s guitar added the rock flavor on the intro and refrain, but “Nasty Love” had some jazzy touches on the verses thanks to Foster’s piano and Jerry Hey’s nocturne trumpet licks. Webb’s vocal performance was extremely convincing with a warm and melancholic tone that gets more and more powerful as the song develops. Daryl Hall’s distinctive backing vocals were of note on this number.

In 2017, Angel Heart was re-released on a 35th Anniversary Expanded Edition by Real Gone Music. This version included six bonus tracks, three outtakes from the album and three original demos produced by Webb.

For those interested, a past review of “God’s Gift” featuring Foster on piano can be rediscovered in the archives.

• Lead Vocals & Electric Piano: Jimmy Webb
• Bass: Dean Cortese
• Drums: Jeff Porcaro
• Electric Guitars: Steve Lukather
• Piano: David Foster
• Organ: David Paich
• Trumpets: Jerry Hey
• Synthesizer: Matthew McCauley
• Background Vocals: Daryl Hall, Fred Mollin, Matthew McCauley

• Produced by Matthew McCauley & Fred Mollin

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Black soaked stockings
In the candlelight
Don’t think we’re gonna need
No johnnie tonight
Let’s get this the first time, yeah
Let’s try to get it right, so right

[Chorus]
There’ll be plenty of what you want
You just tell me when you want it there
There’ll be plenty of what you need
There’ll be plenty of nasty love
[Verse 2]
Do you wanna watch me do it?
‘Cause anything’s alright with me
You can do just anything to it
If you want me more than once, oh well
And then it starts cummin’, baby
It’d be alright, it’ll be alright

[Chorus]
Therе’ll be plenty of what you want
You just tell mе when you want it there
There’ll be plenty of what you need
There’ll be plenty of nasty love

[Bridge]
Sweet little woman, you’ve packed my bags for the flight
You know I’ll be leavin’ with the comer of the light
But the last time I’ll see you, baby
I’m gonna have you lil’ girl, look out

[Chorus]
There’ll be plenty of what you want
You just tell me when you want it there
There’ll be plenty of what you need
There’ll be plenty of nasty love
[Chorus]
There’ll be plenty of what you want
You just tell me when you want it there
There’ll be plenty of what you need
Nasty love

[Chorus]
There’ll be plenty of what you want
You just tell me when you want it there
There’ll be plenty of what you need
There’ll be plenty of nasty love