Search - Marti Jones :: Used Guitars

If You Can Find This CD - BUY IT !!

R. M. Ettinger | Cleveland Heights, OH USA | 01/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own a LOT of music and there are very few recordings that I think warrant five stars. Marti Jones has three disks that fall into this category. "Used Guitars" is her 3rd solo album (1 EP was w/the group Color Me Gone) and this is one of the five star disks.Though Marti shines as an interpretive vocalist, here she also begins to stretch out as a songwriter. Her song choices, whether her own or written by others, can be complex with a pop edge. ...and I do not mean 'pop' to be a dirty word. On the surface almost all tracks are very sing-along-able (is this a word?) yet are multi-layered for someone who enjoys a bit more sophiscated songwriting/arranging/producing than is normally recorded - whether is it ever played on radio.I would like to say there are stand-out songs on this disk - but as I look at the track listing, all are A++. There is nothing substandard or even marginally so (sample the hyperlinks that amazon.com provides).I know this disk is out of print - so if you can locate a copy, I suggest purchase it when the opportunity arises. Hopefully Marti and husband/producer Don Dixon will re-release it on their own, as they did her solo debut "Unsophisticated Time".Happy Hunting for this CD."

...

deafeningwhisper | Chicago, IL. | 02/14/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I found this record many years ago in the cut-out bins of a now defunct record store. Marti had some small recognition back then, but now seems even less known these days. Her (are they still married?) husband, Don Dixon produced and collaborated with her quite often, including here. Don was also more known back in the 80's as a producer for some popular bands in that era, most notably, REM, in addition to putting out his own records.Anyway, this is a good record. Marti is a solid songwriter and she has a fine voice which she showcases on a few cover songs as well as her own material. There is nothing earth shattering in terms of originality here, but the songs are well crafted and executed. My favorites are the first and last songs, 'Tourist Town' & 'If I Can Love Somebody', both of which I adore.If you want a comparison to someone more well known than Marti in order to get a better idea as to what she may sound like or if she could be to your liking, I would suggest Shawn Colvin as being somewhat similar. Shawn Colvin but with an even stronger voice."

GREAT SOUTHERN JINGLE-JANGLE (for a yankee girl)

D.C. Hanoy | 09/21/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Marti Jones' best effort to date, Used Guitars expands on her
folk-pop foundations to stretch into soul ("Twisted Vines") and
piano ballads (the stunning "Ruby," co-written by Janis Ian).
Again, the songs are astutely chosen and feature contributions
from John Hiatt, Graham Parker, and Jackie DeShannon; Jones' own compositions, penned with Don Dixon, are especially strong -- the breezy opener "Tourist Town" is a stunner. -- Jason Ankeny, AMG."