Search - Jesse Johnson :: Bare My Naked Soul

The most complete Guitar Rock album EVER!!!!

Paul Watson | Ireland | 01/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jesse Johnson is one talented musician. Not only does he play guitar and sing on virtually every track, he also plays bass (even 12 String), percussion and drums on the album. Oh, not to mention that he wrote every track, arranged and produced it too. The Production, I will have you know is Top class too. In his day, Jesse has produced the likes of Janet Jackson and Sheila E to name but two. I expect that Jesse has been solely producing over the past decade as there has been no output from him over that period. BUT, I have just found out that a new album is due out this year. That is a mouth-watering thought. I hope, and I am sure that it will be a continuation of his guitar heroism feats shown on "BMNS". As a fan of Classic guitar Blues and Rock, it is the norm to try and accumulate all the output of your Rock Icon. In Jesse's case, it is very different. His previous releases are definitely in the Glitzy Prince mould, and appeal to a completely different type of fan. I am led to believe that Jesse's dramatic change in style lost him many of his original fans, and that is perhaps the reason this Album is not huge. It's a sad fact in music life. The CD contains 2 Heavily influenced Hendrix Spaced out instrumentals (JUPITER LANDING and NEVERMIND SATURN SUNRISE); 6 Top notch Hard Rock classics (BARE MY NAKED SOUL/MY LIFE/LET ME IN/WALK LIKE ME TALK/SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM and the chestnut that is BRAND NEW DAY); 1 superb Albert King influenced Blues Track (BRING YOUR LOVE DOWN HARD ON ME); 2 tracks in the Funk genre (MONICA and WAR BABIES)

and 5 softer heartfelt, mostly acoustical (incl some superb 12 string playing) ballads in the form of (I MISS/YOU DONT LOVE ME THE SAME/CRY LIKE THE SKIES/MR HEARTACHE and BELLA BELLA). Even Billy Cox (Ex Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsies) makes an appearance on LET ME IN. I was highly impressed with the musicianship, and most notably the backing vocals of Kim Gage who features prominently. As has been mentionned, there is the obvious comparison of Hendrix and Prince, and it works beautifully. There is'nt another musician around like him, and with the spoils of the Internet, there are even videos of him singing live tracks from BMNS on YOU TUBE. There is also the MY LIFE single (Radio edit and LP version which includes an unreleased song. This CD release is an absolute gem. I can hardly wait for his next imminent release."

Great guitar playing riff master

Jmip | NYC, USA | 02/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh man! JJ is THE riffmaster. He has chops! this is a very,very good guitar CD. Heavily influenced by Hendrix and the Minneapolis Prince sound. The guitar work is versatile from straight ahead rock to slide playing. Standouts: Bare my naked soul, My Life, Shock to the System, Crazy like the Skies, Brand New Day. IF you like guitar playing in a funky, soulful, riff-filled way reminiscient of Jimmy Hendrix......this is a MUST HAVE!!!!!!!!! His lead work is KICKING!!!!!!"

Just total guitar

James H. Beale | Wayne, PA United States | 09/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the first track (akin to Hendrix's "...and the gods made love") JJ speaks the distorted words, "it's more like I'm trying to do something a bit more guitar . . . you know, just total guitar" and even that doesn't sum up the album entirely. Yes, JJ's guitar speaks with the eloquence of Mercury, bringing messages from another planet. It whispers, moans, cries, sings, screams. Wow. Hendrix is the closest comparison. But it's not just that the guitar playing is technically superb -- this album is much, much more. The songs are not merely vehicles for display of guitar-prowess, they have something to say, something very personal. JJ has indeed bared his soul here. The words, music, rhythm, song order, all work together in a way that really, honestly take your breath away.This is a powerful, stunning, knock-you-on-your-keister CD. Buy it!!"