"I Don't Mind at All" by Bourgeois Tagg

Song#:  3290
Date:  10/10/1987
Debut:  89
Peak:  38
Weeks:  17
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  This band formed by Brent Bourgeois and Larry Tagg first got on the Pop chart with the #62 "Mutual Surrender (What a Wonderful World)," a track from their 1986 self-titled debut album. A second single failed to reach the chart, however the results were encouraging enough for their label, Island, to let the band record a second album. Titled Yoyo, the new effort was produced by Todd Rundgren and this first single was released. It would do well at Rock (#8) and AC (#5), but for some reason it didn't get quite the same reception at Pop where it topped out just inside the Top 40. Like their debut album, a second single failed to chart. The lone hit helped the album get to #84. The band would then set out to record a third album and along the way would also be the backing band for Todd Rundgren's 1989 solo album Nearly Human. Unfortunately, a rift between Bourgeois and Tagg developed and it caused the band to split. Bourgeois would go on to start a solo career and in 1990 would release a self-titled album. A single from the LP, "Dare to Fall in Love," would crack the Pop Top 40 at #32 (#11 AC). It would be his only solo song to reach the Pop chart.

ReduxReview:  This was a wonderful tune that should have done much better on the Pop chart. It was Top 10 at Rock and AC, but for some reason it didn't fully catch fire on pop radio. It certainly had a Beatle-esque flavor, but it didn't sound like an imitation. Rundgren's production was just perfect framing the song in acoustic guitars and strings. I immediately bought the single. The song has kind of disappeared over the years. I hadn't heard it in ages and it was nice to bring it back to my ears. It sounds just as lovely now as it did back then.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  As the band's career was taking off, Brent Bourgeois was struggling with addiction. Following the release of the band's debut album, Bourgeois began to clean up his act and along the way became a born-again Christian. Because of that, some of his lyrics started to reflect his religious side, which was not well-received by band co-leader Larry Tagg. It began to divide the two musicians and it eventually led to the band splitting during the recording of their third album. Bourgeois would set out on a solo career, which resulted in one minor mainstream hit (see above). By the time it came for him to record a third effort, Bourgeois had signed on with a Contemporary Christian label. His 1995 LP Come Join the Living World was well-received and it would lead to Bourgeois writing and producing for major Christian artists like Michael W. Smith and Jars of Clay. For a time he would also run A&R for Word Records.

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