By 1977, singer/songwriters who weren’t firmly established were trying to maintain careers greatly at odds with the more commercial styles of disco, pop, punk, and new wave. Atlantic Records spent 100,000 pounds on The Gambler and then chose not to release it. Only years after Nick Cave chose to cover “Long Time Man” and took it upon himself to encourage Rose’s re-engagement with the music world did President Records issue this album in 1991. While these songs are clearly not what the music world would’ve noticed much in 1977, they do include some excellent performances that fans of Rose (and of early-'70s singer/songwriters) would hold dear. “He Was Born to Be a Lady” is a daring piece of work. “Dance on Ma Belle” holds a sentimentality worthy of Jesse Winchester. “It’ll Be Alright on the Night,” “Runaway,” “The Gambler,” “Bowery Avenue," and “Laurie” lean closer to J.D. Souther and Bruce Springsteen territory, with narratives that feature characters living through the night.