Search - Jonathan Cain :: Where I Live

Not quite his best, but a good, solid album

chris presta-valachovic | Columbus, OH | 02/27/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"For those who liked / loved the European version of Back To The Innocence, Jonathan's "Where I Live" is a step back in that direction, and mostly for the good. Jonathan's strengths are in his songwriting and piano-playing, and this album has both wonderful and mediocre examples of both. He is not a technically-apt singer (his vocal delivery runs from pleasingly rough to fair to oh-god-get-another-singer), but he is an emotional singer, and it works for the right type of song. Jonathan's at his best when he's writing from his own heart, experience, and life, and "Where I Live" has enough of that to make this album worth the purchase.



Best tracks on the album: "Letting Me Down", "Where I Live", "Sometimes She Breaks" (which originally appeared on Bare Bones). All three of these songs have Jonathan singing/playing/writing from the heart -- "Letting Me Down" is particularly heartbreaking, on the emotional aftermath of a spouse's cheating, and Jonathan treads a fine line between true emotion and cliche', and the song has such an emotional punch that one wonders if it's autobiographical. It's very true to the heart of such an experience. "Where I Live", on the surface, seems to be a standard "Oh my little town is so great" song...until you actually listen to the lyrics and hear the loneliness & tension beneath; it's a more mature version of Journey's "Still They Ride".



Worst tracks: "Shine on Chicago", "Man's Best Friend", "Before Brando". "Chicago" is the standard "oh this town is so great" song, which manages to hit every cliche' of such songs without ever once touching on why, if Chicago is so great -- um -- why did he move away & stay away? "Man's Best Friend" is a pushbutton song about...well...man's best friend, and again, like "Chicago", hits all the standard cliche's without ever touching on from-the-heart-and-hip real emotion.



My jury's still out on his re-take on "Faithfully" (a duet with Mica Roberts). I love Journey's original version too much to be happy with anyone who takes this song on (even if it's the songwriter; sorry, Jonathan), and I thought that Jonathan's first re-do on Back To The Innocence was all that he really needed to say.



Anyway, I'd love to hear MORE albums in this vein from Jonathan -- I wish he'd ditch the synthesizers and orchestral arrangements, completely unplug, and just pull out his piano and an acoustic guitar and just go for it."

Jon Cain does it again!

M. Cavacini | Philadelphia, Pa. United States | 10/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jon Cain is one of the most talented musicians of our time. He has spent years perfecting melodic rock with his fellow band mates in Journey. However, I always look forward to his solo releases. This CD was worth the wait. He really came through with infectious lyrics and beautiful piano playing. Any fan of good music will be more than satisfied with this wonderful CD."

First rate versatility

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 05/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Jonathan Cain has displayed a brilliant career as one of the most notable keyboardists in the smooth jazz. His imaginative arrangements and vigorous lyricism have made of him one the most remarkable exponents of this genre.



A must have.

"