Search - T.J. Kirk, T.J.Kirk :: Talking Only Makes It Worse

The long awaited live album!

The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 02/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Talking Only Makes It Worse" is the new album by one of the most intelligent, inventive, eclectic, rockin', soulful, jazzy, funky and psychedelic guitar groups of all-time. While the San Francisco group disbanded in 1997, this long-awaited recording proves that T.J. Kirk was not only a studio powerhouse, but a great live band. In a live environment, we realize for the first time that T.J. Kirk's unique sound is not a result of studio post-production, but musical craftsmanship in real time. Almost entirely comprised of songs from the previous two albums, the listener is granted immediate gratification. The live tunes demonstrate a level of improvisation that may have moved them into the jamband category, had it existed as a mature genre in the mid-1990's. Expect the unexpected. 'Epistrophy' for example shows creative arrangements that feature Ozzy Osbourne and Led Zeppelin nods. In addition to some vocal call and response, 'The Pay Back' features verbal scatting. Complete with fresh solos, different arrangements, stage banter and a few tricks up the sleeve, this disc is as close as most of us will ever get to experiencing a live version of one of Charlie Hunter's greatest musical incarnations."

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Ropeadope Records . . .

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 04/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

". . . for making this last statement by the late, lamented guitar jazz superband, T. J. Kirk, available to the public. I agree that this is probably Charlie Hunter's greatest band (although I'm partial to Garage a Trois). But the rest of the players, especially John Schott, also come across as top-drawer performers. (While you're at it, check out his amazing disc with Trevor Dunn, Ben Goldberg, and Kenny Wollesen, Junk Genius' Ghost of Electricity). And, it must be admitted, there's never been a group even remotely close to the concept on display here, namely, to conjure, with respect but not sappy adulation, the ghosts of Thelonius Monk, James Brown, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk.



For one thing, it's unlikely that Monk has ever swung so hard. Their funky reading of "Bemsha Swing" mightily impresses. As does their retooling of "Skippy," which retains its inherent playfulness but emerges with a wicked groove overlay. One thing that's going on here is that Charlie Hunter, working with two absolute killer guitar bandmates, is not required to carry the lead voice as much as in some of his other contexts, and, hence, there's generally a higher level of both conversation and invention than is typically found on a Hunter disc.



For everyone who's never heard of T. J. Kirk, this is a great place to start. For those already on board, this will be a must get."

Now You Talkin' Funk Jazz...

Christian Toussay | Paris France | 01/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That could very well be the best JB tribute album available to date(well, with the other two T J kirk records..).



I'll keep it short:



*If you play guitar, buy this record



*if you just like guitar, buy this record



*if you're into any kind of good groove, buy this record



*if you are into Funk (yes, with a capital "F", meaning the real deal, not just the funky side)



You just can't miss.



The unusual structure of the band makes for some incredible re-reading of classic material by Monk, Kirk and JB.



It is hard to describe exactly what this (live...) recording sounds like: Funkadelic meets JB meets Hancock meets Miles meets Weather Report meets....



A demonstration of technical maestria combined with the flair for the kind of infectious groove that grows on you, the kind of sound that makes your friends say " Hey! What IS that?" when you pop this record.



This is jazz at its funkiest.Funky, free, and soulful.

Tight, yet loose.



If you know the original versions, the arrangements, how they basically deconstruct a groove to make it their own, are pure joy.



In addition to the acknowledged JB trax, afficionados will recognize several "citations" along the way ((Give It Up Or turn It a Loose, and Got ants In My Pants, among many others..)



I am personnally a 50+ P-funk and JB fan from ages gone.

So you know where I stand.

I am telling you: this record is playing non stop since I got it.

(Just the love the African High Life intro to "Good Foot"...)



Highly, higly recommended, as are the two T J Kirk studio albums..."