Featured Artist: J.J. Jones
CD Title: Total Inspiration
Year: 2008
Record Label: Jay Man Records
Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic
Musicians:J.J.Jones (tenor saxophone), M.B. Gordy III (drums), Bart Samolis (bass), Matt Guman (guitar), Richard Hastings (guitar), Richard Geere (piano), Benedikt Bryden (piano and keyboards), and Lori Stinson (vocals)
Review:Jazz saxophonist J.J. Jones, who is widely known for being a sideman to some of music's greatest luminaries including B.B. King, Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls, Big Joe Turner, Barry White, and Chuck Willis, has released his second solo album Total Inspiration, the follow up to his debut record Saxually Romantic. His latest album is an eloquent interpretation of the some of the world's most highly regarded songs whose messages encourage the protection of children including "The Lord's Prayer," Londonderry Air's "Oh Danny Boy," John Lennon and Paul McCartney's "Eleanor Rigby," and Franz Shubert's "Ave Maria." The layers of instruments precipitate softly while arranged immaculately and deliver an angelic resonance through "The Lord's Prayer" while rendering a free-blues/gospel-jazz swagger through Sam Cooke's tune "A Change Is Gonna Come." The album makes you remember that harmonizing can be a beautiful thing capable of bringing people of every race, creed, and nationality together, and J.J. Jones shows that he knows how to accomplish that outcome.
His languid saxophone sways along "Oh Danny Boy" blissfully vibrate eloquently along the gentle piano rolls and peaceful downy strings. He shows such reverence for the song that he makes it feel like an honor to hear the tune player from his lips. The jazzed-up frames of "Eleanor Rigby" are reflective of the rollicking horn rivets of the James Bond theme song and the silky stride of Jones' saxophone on "Ave Maria" is soothing and projects a church-like echo. His rendition of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" resonates with the warmth of a lover's serenade, and his interpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone" holds the strength of a patriarchal figure keeping his clan together. Jones' twittering saxophone clips along "Walk Around Heaven All Day" have an elegant agility while the drooling stride of Disney's theme song "When You Wish Upon A Star," music written by Leigh Harline, displays a slow, loving purr. His remake of "Wind Beneath My Wings" is balmy on the senses as the instrument phrases are cradled in nurturning hands. The notes are poured with love.
Produced by Benedikt Bryden, Total Inspiration is a relic of beauty. Jones tells in the liner notes, "I've chosen each song on this CD to have meaning for all the little children of the world." Every song encourages the protection of children with reflections of tender lullabyes. Each song is reposing and orchestrated to soothe the soul. Total Inspiration is dedicated to J.J. Jones' granddaughters Reagan and Zoie and all the little children of the world as a way to let them know that they should be cared for, and that they are the ones who hold the key to Heaven's gate.
Tracks:The Lord's Prayer, Ave Maria, Bridge Over Troubled Water, A Change Is Gonna Come, Oh Danny Boy, Eleanor Rigby, You'll Never Walk Alone, Walk Around Heaven All Day, When You Wish Upon A Star, Wind Beneath My Wings
Artist's Website: http://www.jjjones.us
Listen : www.cdbaby.com/cd/jjjones2
Reviewed by: Susan Frances
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