Customer Reviews

Allow Me

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I hate when I read a review of a Jules Shear's CD and the thrust of it is how great a songwriter he is and how many artists have recorded his work. Ok, that is true - but it tends to overlook Jules the performer. A tremendous guitar player and arranger, especially at vocal arrangement. Listen to his work with The Polar Bears (if you don't know The Polar Bears shame on you and triple shame on the evil record company who will not re-release their first two albums on CD) the layering of harmonies is brillaint, as it has been through his solo work. And as far as his voice - if you want crystal note oratory then buy the next mindless Mariah record, but if you believe that the best singing conveys emotion, then Jules is a great singer. A great singer like Bob Dylan, Tom Waits - a singer with his heart on his sleeve. "Allow Me" is another exquisite work from a great artist, full of hooks, fine playing, and smart lyrics. Buy it and buy his masterpiece "Healing Bones" too. And dammit somebody let the Polar Bears free!

I have been a Jules junkie since, oh, 1978? My favorites are Great Puzzle, and Healing Bones. On Allow Me, the songs are a little more varied, offering, one would hope, something for everyone to enjoy, and nothing for anyone to dislike. Jules deserves a lot more fame and fortune (remember, he started the MTV Unplugged series), but who's gonna pay(ola) the Top 40 DJ's to slip The More That I'm Around You into the rotation.

For a fun time, put that song on, and imagine the MTV video -- Jules as a chef, baking all sorts of wonderful pastries and goodies for the (gradually expanding) object of his affection.

Sorry, Jules, I couldn't resist.

"A Music Fan" in Virginia, must be my long lost twin brother. When will the record labels get the great Polar Bears on CD?! There is a mystery 3rd Polar Bears album that was recorded in 1980 and not released until 1996 on cd called "Bad For Business"... get it, if you can find it. I have been listening to "Allow Me" for 7 months and can't believe the radio play-list has ignored this mans music once again. With potential hits as the up-beat "Deep", "Love With You" and "Hard Enough" as well as the slower "Too soon Gone" the air waves are instead littered with mindless whining "Back Street Boys", "NSYNC" and "Brittany Spears". Jules is a brilliant writer, but it is his high energy voice along with those meaningful catchy tunes that make him the most under-rated musician in the biz. "Allow Me" returns Jules to the those great Polar Bear days with classic raspy guitar licks and his spirited vocals. He has done the upside down left handed accoustical and the duet albums with dignity and class, not reaching for big pay days but concerned about doing it right; Jules is rocking again. His best work since "Got No Breeding". Perhaps the world will hear the great songs off "Allow Me" when some pretty boy band records them, oh what they are missing.

I had the opportunity to see Jules at a concert in Seattle last September and I was just amazed at what a pleasant experience it was to finially see him. Just Jules and his guitar, his expressive voice, his charming stories and his fantastic songs. And of course that funky guitar playing style. It was one of my favorite musical moments. The new album is more of the same high quality lyrics, vocal arrangements, and songwriting that I've grown to exspect. And with Stuart Smith on guitar, well how can you go wrong.

It's a shame more of the world has yet to discover Jules Shear. His music is amazing. This collection is by far his best since "The Great Puzzle." On this CD, Jules really rocks again with some of the most pleasant and surprising tunes he's ever recorded. More like "The Great Puzzle" than anything since, "Allow Me," features great lyrics, his incredible voice and moving music. I love this CD and just can't listen to it enough. If more people hear this CD, there would be a lot more fans of Jules Shear.