Still giving masterful performances
Dale Thomas | chico, ca United States | 11/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jesse is still a great vocalist on this album. His range and sensitivity are, to me, surpassed by few. His playing is complex and subtle, and it takes many listenings to get to the center of it. What I like best about him is that his work comes from his heart, and it comes through on this album. He says that much of this album is about healing, both his and ours/the nation's. I wish more first-rate performers would spend more time on this subject. Most of us still have a ways to go in this department.Jessie is also a master of style, and offers up a whole range here, from flat-out, dance-all-night boogie like "Sweet Magnolia" to Marvin Gaye style soul on "Love Train" to trademark Youngbloods type stuff like "Walk the Talk". he and the band manage to give a Hawaiian flavor to most of the cuts that works well for me. the only thing missing is some of the fine straight country stuff like he did on later Youngbloods albums and early solo albums.
the first few cuts seem a little heavy handed in the beat department, and the mix on them is not optimum: the singing gets overwhelmed by the music just enough so I can't make out half the lyrics, which is a shame because what I can hear is worth hearing (the lyrics seem to come through a little better on a good set of headphones). the music itself is well worth listening to despite these flaws.
at first I was a bit let down that this album wasn't any better than my favorite mid-70's albums by jessie. but it's certainly no worse, and that says a lot, so I guess I'll allow him to be human. I'm definitely glad I bought this album."
Jesse's Light Shines On
Carl Whitman | So. Cal. | 06/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"JCY has been writing lyrics like these for decades. His rockin bottleneck guitar and arrangements fill this album with energy. His gift of touching our human emotions with lyrics is preserved thoughtout this CD.
Simply Powerful"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1