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Bruce Springsteen: Uncut - Thunder Road Tracks Inspired By the Boss
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Full
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Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
Almost Live at 2006-04-29
Some of these songs I had heard back in October in an acoustic set Jon Dee performed in Chicago with fellow Resentments band mate Scrappy Jud Newcomb. Swept Away and Tie a Knot were the standouts of his new stuff in that show as they are on this album. Thats not to shortchange the other 10 songs on the CD. They are as great and varied as those you would find on any other JDG disc. Personal, heartfelt songs with great hooks and phenomenal guitar playing. Jon Dee is never sappy but he is also never afraid to be sentimental in his songwriting as evidenced in Oh Dearest One and Majesty of Love.(from The Great Battle) Jon Dee Graham writes about love, regret, and hope as only we middle-aged men can. He knows what hes talking about. I must say that I really like the sound of this effort as well. I have always thought that Jon Dees studio stuff paled in comparison to what I have heard him play live. This album has an open, almost breathless sound to it as he stops one song and goes right into the next. I cant think of a better one-two punch on an album than the desperate cry of Swept Away followed by the hopeful Something Wonderful. Thats always been his way. Jon Dee Graham might pull the rug out from under you but, at least hell give you a hand up.
Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
Best thing Ive heard in a long time! at 2006-04-24
In March 2006, I had the good fortune to spend four days in Austin with my best friend, checking out more than 50 bands at the SXSW Festival. Most of the acts were new to me, and several were really good. Best of all, though, was Austin local Jon Dee Graham, who sings, plays guitar and writes songs as well as John Fogerty (maybe better). We saw Graham take a noisy barroom crowd and awe it to silence with his amazing ballad about disappearing, Swept Away. Then he rocked us hard with Tie A Knot before sending us on our way with the infectiously upbeat Something Wonderful. Those tracks are all here. Other gems from Full include Amsterdam, a cheerful song about a cheerful place, Jubilee (which reminds me of Tommy Tutones incredibly catchy 867-5309), Bonaparte and Holes. Grahams tunes will grab you and his lyrics will make you laugh, or think, or both. Im writing this in April, but strongly suspect that by the end of December Ill still think of Full as my favorite album all year.
Jon Dee Graham Album Editorial:
Jon Dee Graham might be considered a late bloomer a middle-aged songwriter who has drawn from a wealth of experience to create the richest music of a veteran career. Too often characterized as an Alejandro Escovedo sideman (in the True Believers and again in Escovedos current band) or a Tom Waits soundalike he shows greater creative range and emotional depth here than ever. Something Wonderful sounds like an open-armed embrace of all of lifes riches while the opening Jubilee has the melodic lilt harmonic uplift and guitar jangle of classic Byrds. From the deep-soul balladry of Swept Away to the solo acoustic intimacy of O Dearest One Graham leaves himself open lays himself bare. Remain is as tender as a lullaby; Beloved Garden is as reverent as prayer. Yet the slide-driven Holes shows why Graham has long been in demand as a guitarist for hire while the hard-riffing propulsion of Bonaparte finds him rocking as powerfully as he ever has. Don McLeese
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The Great Battle
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Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
Next best thing to being there! at 2004-09-23
I have seen Jon Dee play live and there is really nothing like it. When he comes out on stage you might think he looks like a guy who should be working at a hardware store. He absolutely blazes on that Fender strat. This album is getting a lot more notice (4 stars in Rolling Stone) than his previous three which is good but if you pick up one you will want to get the others. By all means if Jon Dee Graham comes any near where you live, OR if you got to Austin, see him play.
Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
Buy it, listen to it and you might be hooked like I am. at 2005-01-09
My word, this is just a fine performance. Nothing phony here. Engaging stories, brooding but hopeful vocals, memorable songs and a sizzling version of Neil Youngs Harvest. This is going to be in my cd player for awhile. Im already humming these songs, cant wait to see him live.
Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
Excellent Songwriter and Musician at 2004-10-08
I too have seen this guy live (The Continental Club, Austin) and his music is a perfect example of an American blue/rock.At times hes Tom Waits who can actually play interesting blues/rock music. At other times, he plays with a Stevie Ray Vaughn style.Songwriting = 8 out of 10Style = 8 out of 10Musicianship 9 out of 10 Im excited to hear this guy as I am totally bored with the latest in rock and cRap.
Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
Continental Club and Saxon Pub in Your Livingroom at 2005-07-19
If you arent in Austin with a chance to go see Jon Dee at the Continental Club or the Saxon Pub, youll need this to feed your jones. The production by Charlie Sexton is flawless and this is the gruff and gravelly fellow in 3D. I listen to this at home in New Orleans and then, sometimes, I just need to jump in the car and drive the 500 miles to see him live in Austin. Companion pieces would be by Alejandro Escovedo. And take a look into the past and gift yourself a copy of Charlie Sextons Under The Wishing Tree.
Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
Great record from this underrated songwriter at 2005-02-16
Im a fan of Jon Dee Graham. I think his first record, Escape from Monster Island, was awesome and his best. But his new one, The Great Battle, has superseded it. He has reached new heights as a lyricist. These songs are powerful and, at times, moving ( see Sleep Enough to Dream and Change). Charlie Sexton did a good job of producing this record, not too slick.Jon Dee Graham has been around a long time and paid his dues, and it shows. This is a good record for people who like good thoughtful songwriting but still like Rock and Roll.
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Escape From Monsta Island!
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Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
DOOM!! at 2004-10-03
illestnuff saidalso check outRas Kass
Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
A new monster, with a completely different sound! at 2005-10-26
(...)Straight out of the Wu-textbook this team of MCs take the guise of big city destroying monsters (instead of kung-fu steel-o) and proceed to FSU, lyrically. Lyrics come hard, gritty and sometimes tongue twistingly fast. Ive been listening to rap obsessively since the late 80s and this makes my (slightly) jaded ears prick up. The beats are some of the freshest sounding Ive heard in the hip-hop scene for awhile. No gimmicky hooks. Just wicked sounds. X-ray puts together some fat joints (in fact, most of them), with a few from King Ghidra (the masked one). Not to discount the lyricism, as they are excellent, but the beats make this album.A true no track skip album.Regardless of whether the Czars blow up, which doubtless Doom will, the commercial sh*t pales into insignificance.You dont own this? Youre sleeping.
Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
An Underrated Classic at 2005-11-11
MF Doom (appearing here as King Ghidra) certainly has an ear for talent. That is very apparent when listening to what seems to be the first King Geedorah album (see the second - King Geedorah Take Me To Your Leader, released just 3 months after this album). Personally, I like this one better. There is more to love about it. Doom steps up to the mic just once, but its pure gold. Like the King Geedorah album, this is yet another production feat for the super villain. Contrary to popular belief, Doom didnt produce the whole thing. In fact only 6 tracks are produced by Metal Fingers, while the rest are taken on by X-Ray. Obviously, the album takes on the theme of old Japanese monster movies like Godzilla and King Kong, which actually works quite well on wax. The album has a creepy, dark undertone that gives it a flair of originality unmatched in the underground (let alone mainstream). The cast (many of which are alter egos) includes Gigan, Jet-Jaguar (a.k.a. MF Grimm), K.D., King Ghidra (a.k.a. MF Doom), Kong, Megalon (a.k.a. Tommy Gunn), Spiega, X-Ray, and my personal favorite, Rodan. This jam-packed cast is very reminiscent on the Wu-Tang Clan. And believe it or not, they have all the talent to back it up.If youve done your homework, you would find that just about everyone on the album has appeared in some way or another on MF Dooms previous works, dating back to the KMD days. Each track brings a different style to the table, which is frankly, reminiscent of nothing - its original. The approach of the album is simple. The entire cast teams up to defeat The Beast (Godzilla). This is one of those albums that is hard to pick standout tracks to talk about, because when I listen to it, they are all standouts (I guess thats oxymoron). Every track emulates a specific style to perfection. I do feel that the two emcees to watch in the future are Rodan and Gigan. Their flows are insanely unique and on point. In fact they are all on point.Its hard to even describe how great this album actually is. Its mind boggling at times, but is very accessible. A true hip-hop head will be disappointed for sleeping on this...I know I was.
Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
Concept rich, but lack luster at 2006-05-12
This album had everything going for it, but it fell flat. The psudo sequel of MF Dooms (King Gidera) Take Me To Your Leader was a much better LP than this effort. The LPs stand out tracks are obviously the ones produced by Doom and the dopest cut 1,2 1,2 was recycled on Ghostfaces Fishscale LP as the Wu-Tang reunion possie cut. Bottom line, the two emcees you want to hear are mostly absent. Doom hardly blesses us with his gift of gab and Grimm is 100% absent due to him being in jail when this was being recorded. And wheres Kurious Jeorge? I thought he was down? Uber low budget mics, so-so beats and the main ingredient that everyone wants is missing. Dissapointing, but in a year or two, those of you who purchased it will probably be able to resale it on e-bay for a ton of cash.
Jon Dee Graham Album Review:
Not that good... at 2006-06-02
All in all, I was really dissapointed; I really enjoyed the King Geedorah album. I thought the King Geedorah album boasted stellar, thematic, production, tolerable skits, and street-wise but deep lyrical content.Doom is on the boards for about 1/3 of the tracks on Escape... All have the stereotypical Doom sound, with the only standout being 1,2...1,2. The X-ray produced tracks are minimal, but generally sound stiff, lacking much of a groove - thin synth lines, few sampled melodies. I did like Warning (Kong), which has a nice, minimal, dark groove. The lyrical flows have a classic New York sound, pretty good. Lyrical content is pretty bad, unless you enjoy repetitious rhymes about smoking weed and women riding my d$ and *.
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Escape From Monster Island
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