RED LIGHT SPECIAL !
Peppino | 02/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In more ways than 1, my "double entendre" title refers to both the soulful romantic quality of Jon Lucien's voice with the "Caribe meets Brasil" idiom he performs which was perfect musics for the 70s parties that used always wind down to the red light going on, and the "lovers carrying on". Also the fact that this is a "3 recordings on 2" cd "special issue bargain", as like when the red lights go on for "K-Mart" shoppers in the USA! K-tel shoppers never had it so good with their "golden oldies" as you will with this bonus pack!This cd chronicles Mr Lucien's first 3 recordings in the States, and reflects the musical growth of JL as both performer and composer and musician.His deep rich vocals are enough to melt the heart(mostly females, hehehe), and his vocal frasing is steeped in the jazz tradition filtered through his island experience(He is born from Tortola, British Virgin Islands) and his affinity for quasi-authentic Brasilian samba, bossa and MPB ,the popular music of Brasil).The cd features musics from his highly orchestrated and heavily bossa influenced "I am Now"(1st lp), the transitional "Mind's Eye" and the recording that I feel defines Mr Lucien, "Rashida".His recordings gradually shifted from the relatively "straight" readings of standards (Jobim's "Dindi" and "Insensitez",a bossa version of Cole Porter's "Love for Sale", Ma Cheri Amor...) to the wordless frases that he would use to launch some soaring frase-ology.
For me, though his vocalise charms me especially as he uses "Brasilian style" syllables more often than carribean or scooby-dooby-ooby style jazz vocalise--it is obvious that Brasilian styles have influenced JL immensely)."Rashida" is all of the 2nd cd, and it is a hidden treasure, a previously lost and Ignored gem.
The cd moves effortlessly from track to track as Lucien glides through the sambossas ballads, and light funk .There is also a hint of Bob Marley or "lovers" reggae styles here and there, but never breaking out into "full reggae" mode.. VERY SUBTLE is the best way to describe Mr Lucien's recordings. A mix between Terry Callier, Michael Franks, Shawn Phillips and Tom Jobim is maybe another way to convey a feeling that the the musics on this cd have. But the honey rich tones of Mr Lucien's voice are his calling card.No weak tracks at all--- give a listen to this underappreciated singer/composer/guitarist. (By the way, his chordal approach to the violao is completely brasilian, both in ritmo and chord voicings, no 3- 4 chord root position triad "strumming" for JL, he comps like a Brasileiro!Buy the cd, you wont be disappointed for a minute. never enough stars to say.."
Some good early recordings
Brian P. Webb | philadelphia,PA USA | 02/06/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I am a big fan Jon Lucien I enjoy the island feel to his music, this explores more on the line of comtemporary jazz on disc one and disc 2 is more of the smooth groove sound that people are familar from him. No other artist comes to mind with the lyrical content to his songs other then Smokey Robinson if you like to listen to what the artist is saying to the women. I give this only 4 stars because his early stuff lacked the fat backbeat of this later music (and thats only due to the times)."
A Beautiful Voice
Deborah M. Black | Georgia, USA | 12/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This collection is the culmination of years of continued development of not only a beautiful voice and talent, but also a beautiful person. Jon Lucien's voice will grab your soul and will not let go. Songs like Listen Love, Lady Love, Love Everlasting, Would You Believe In Me and finally Rashida. This song will touch your heart and bring you to tears!
I have loved his talent and voice for the last 30 years. Jon Lucien died in August 2007, but his voice will live on in these recordings.
This is a must have for your Jon Lucien collection."
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1