Our Complete List Of Buster Poindexter Albums And Discography looks at the alter ego personality of the very well-known musical artist and actor David Johansen. It’s not often that artists get to reinvent themselves multiple times and be successful. Of course, actors do it all the time, but musicians outside of a few, like David Bowie and Madonna, have rarely been successful in changing their personalities. The difference between David Johanson and Bowie or Madonna is that Johansen used a completely different name and proved to be extremely successful, if not even more successful, as Buster Poindexter than he was as a solo artist. Of course, we can’t forget that one of his most remarkable contributions to rock and roll culture was as the leader of his groundbreaking band, New York Dolls. Below is a list of David Johanson’s Buster Poindexter albums. This is the guy you want to invite to your party, or maybe not.
DAVID JOHANSEN AS BUSTER POINDEXTER ALBUMS
Buster Poindexter
Released: 1987
This self-titled album marked David Johansen’s reinvention as Buster Poindexter, a larger-than-life persona that indulged in the campy and theatrical side of music. The album was recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York City and produced by Hank Medress. Buster Poindexter introduced audiences to a blend of rhythm and blues, calypso, and big band sounds, giving new life to classic party songs.
CD Track Listings:
“Bad Boy” (Avon Long, Lil Hardin Armstrong) – 3:07
“Hot Hot Hot” (Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell) – 4:07
“Are You Lonely for Me, Baby?” (Bert Berns) – 3:38
“Oh Me, Oh My (I’m a Fool for You Baby)” (Jim Doris) – 3:52
“Whadaya Want?” (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) – 2:44
“House of the Rising Sun” (Traditional; credited to Josh White; Terry Holmes) – 3:40
“Cannibal” (David Johansen, Joe Delia) – 4:45
“Heart of Gold” (David Johansen) – 4:40
Buster Goes Berserk
Released: 1989
Johansen continued to develop the Buster Poindexter character on Buster Goes Berserk, recorded at Atlantic Studios and produced by Hank Medress and Tony Bongiovi. The album infuses more of Buster’s signature blend of calypso, swing, and big band styles into lively covers and original songs.
CD Track Listings:
“All Night Party” (Ashley “Grub” Cooper) – 3:53
“Hit the Road Jack” (Percy Mayfield) – 3:14 (No. 40 on the US AC charts)
“Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well?” (Eddie DeLange, Johnny Brooks) – 3:21
“At the Party” (Johnny Rivera) – 3:01
“Imitation of Life” (Arno Hecht, Crispin Cioe, David Johansen, Bob Funk, “Hollywood” Paul Litteral) – 4:32
“Debourge Yourself” (Arno Hecht, Crispin Cioe, David Johansen, Bob Funk, “Hollywood” Paul Litteral) – 3:41
“Deep in a Dream” (Eddie DeLange, Jimmy Van Heusen) – 3:11
Buster’s Happy Hour
Released: 1994
Buster’s Happy Hour captures the spirit of a lively New York bar, with Johansen as Poindexter belting out classic R&B, blues, and jump blues songs with his signature enthusiasm. The album was produced by Johansen and J. Hegeman and recorded at New York’s New River Studio.
CD Track Listings:
“Breakin’ Up the House”
“Big Fat Mamas Are Back in Style”
“Doin’ What I Please” (Fats Waller, Andy Razaf)
“Let Me In”
“I Got Loaded”
“Saturday Night Fish Fry” (Louis Jordan, Ellis Walsh) – duet with Soozie Tyrell
“Lavender Coffin”
“Rocket 88” (Ike Turner, credited to Jackie Brenston)
“The Worst Beer I Ever Had”
“Who Drank My Beer (While I Was in the Rear)?”
“Rockin’ All Nite Long”
“Knock’m Down Whiskey”
“Pink Champagne”
“Drunk” – duet with Bill Morrissey
“I’ll Die Happy”
“Butcher Pete (Parts 1 & 2)” (Roy Brown)
“Alcohol” (Ray Davies)
Buster’s Spanish Rocketship
Released: 1997
On Buster’s Spanish Rocketship, Johansen’s Poindexter alter-ego adds a Latin twist to his usual mix of genres, incorporating salsa, bolero, and mambo. The album was recorded at Avatar Studios in New York and produced by J. Hegeman. This album provides a unique blend of eclectic rhythms, further expanding Poindexter’s musical persona.
CD Track Listings:
1. “Ondine” – 2:55
2. “Nueva Broadway (They Don’t Smoke)” – 4:18
3. “Downtown Dream” – 4:10
4. “Inez (Is Just a Big Rage Queen)” – 4:13
5. “The Closer I Get to Heaven” – 4:15
6. “My First Sin” – 4:28
7. “Let’s Take It Easy” – 3:43
8. “Linda Lee” – 3:41
9. “Iris Chacon” – 3:43
10. “Skin & Bones” – 3:36
11. “Mean Spirited Sal” – 4:17
12. “Lay Down” – 3:42
13. “Rhumba (Dance Fever)” – 5:56
Brian Kachejian was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of ClassicRockHistory.com. He has spent thirty years in the music business often working with many of the people who have appeared on this site. Brian Kachejian also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University along with New York State Public School Education Certifications in Music and Social Studies. Brian Kachejian is also an active member of the New York Press.