Customer Reviews

Bare My Naked Soul

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jesse Johnson is one talented musician. Not only does he play guitar and sing on virtually every track, he also plays bass (even 12 String), percussion and drums on the album. Oh, not to mention that he wrote every track, arranged and produced it too. The Production, I will have you know is Top class too. In his day, Jesse has produced the likes of Janet Jackson and Sheila E to name but two. I expect that Jesse has been solely producing over the past decade as there has been no output from him over that period. BUT, I have just found out that a new album is due out this year. That is a mouth-watering thought. I hope, and I am sure that it will be a continuation of his guitar heroism feats shown on "BMNS". As a fan of Classic guitar Blues and Rock, it is the norm to try and accumulate all the output of your Rock Icon. In Jesse's case, it is very different. His previous releases are definitely in the Glitzy Prince mould, and appeal to a completely different type of fan. I am led to believe that Jesse's dramatic change in style lost him many of his original fans, and that is perhaps the reason this Album is not huge. It's a sad fact in music life. The CD contains 2 Heavily influenced Hendrix Spaced out instrumentals (JUPITER LANDING and NEVERMIND SATURN SUNRISE); 6 Top notch Hard Rock classics (BARE MY NAKED SOUL/MY LIFE/LET ME IN/WALK LIKE ME TALK/SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM and the chestnut that is BRAND NEW DAY); 1 superb Albert King influenced Blues Track (BRING YOUR LOVE DOWN HARD ON ME); 2 tracks in the Funk genre (MONICA and WAR BABIES)
and 5 softer heartfelt, mostly acoustical (incl some superb 12 string playing) ballads in the form of (I MISS/YOU DONT LOVE ME THE SAME/CRY LIKE THE SKIES/MR HEARTACHE and BELLA BELLA). Even Billy Cox (Ex Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsies) makes an appearance on LET ME IN. I was highly impressed with the musicianship, and most notably the backing vocals of Kim Gage who features prominently. As has been mentionned, there is the obvious comparison of Hendrix and Prince, and it works beautifully. There is'nt another musician around like him, and with the spoils of the Internet, there are even videos of him singing live tracks from BMNS on YOU TUBE. There is also the MY LIFE single (Radio edit and LP version which includes an unreleased song. This CD release is an absolute gem. I can hardly wait for his next imminent release.

Oh man! JJ is THE riffmaster. He has chops! this is a very,very good guitar CD. Heavily influenced by Hendrix and the Minneapolis Prince sound. The guitar work is versatile from straight ahead rock to slide playing. Standouts: Bare my naked soul, My Life, Shock to the System, Crazy like the Skies, Brand New Day. IF you like guitar playing in a funky, soulful, riff-filled way reminiscient of Jimmy Hendrix......this is a MUST HAVE!!!!!!!!! His lead work is KICKING!!!!!!

In the first track (akin to Hendrix's "...and the gods made love") JJ speaks the distorted words, "it's more like I'm trying to do something a bit more guitar . . . you know, just total guitar" and even that doesn't sum up the album entirely.

Yes, JJ's guitar speaks with the eloquence of Mercury, bringing messages from another planet. It whispers, moans, cries, sings, screams. Wow. Hendrix is the closest comparison.

But it's not just that the guitar playing is technically superb -- this album is much, much more. The songs are not merely vehicles for display of guitar-prowess, they have something to say, something very personal. JJ has indeed bared his soul here. The words, music, rhythm, song order, all work together in a way that really, honestly take your breath away.

This is a powerful, stunning, knock-you-on-your-keister CD. Buy it!!

.....On my own about the mightiness of this album. Every single rocker on my holiday list this year will recieve a copy of this cd. I will not
pirate or copy, the label and Jesse deserve every cent they can recover from this absolute GEM.

It bears out what I had surmised, that the hints laced throughout the Time's cat. arrive at the word "tasty" in all genres he touches. Especially, all, and I mean ALL facets of the style called "rock".

There is not a better guitar rock record anywhere at any time than this. Songwriting-peerless. Solos- placement, phrasing, texture, approach, variation...STUNNING! The opening two tracks alone tower at the intersection of rock and groove- operate no heavy machinery...I nearly tore my steering column out by its roots.

I must say, in closing, that the fact that this offering- no matter how small the label- did not catapult this player to major recognition in rock circles, proves beyond any doubt how much Black players get NO LOVE. Eddy Hazel, Mike 'Kid' Hampton, Gary Shider, Dr. Know, Vernon Reid, all make Jimi the anomaly. I wish my fellow white rockers would please just get over it, because our racism only costs us more great rock .

JESSE, I HOPE YOU HAPPEN TO READ THIS- and THANK YOU for such a smart, def(t), and rocking record! Ummmm...could we have some more--PLLLEEAAASSSE??!!

-ted.o

I'm a huge Jesse Johnson fan! I ordered the CD expecting it to be a good product and needless to say it was just that!

This is Jesse's TRUE playin'..take a break from his 80s stuff & give BMNS a listen. He is just AMAZING, his skills are just mind blowin'. What's cool is when I listen 2 the CD I can sorda getta image of how he'd look playin'/performin' these songs. All the tracks are pure GOLD this is what he's been waitin' 2 do 4 so many years & I'm very happy he did. I only wish 2 see/know what or where are the video singles 4 this CD??--I know some1 told me they think a video single was made 4 "War Babies", but not too sure.

There is NO Mpls. Sound no Prince influenced comparisons on this CD--NONE. The only one who can be compared is Jimi Hendrix, maybe Jesse is a reincarnation of Jimi?--lol maybe not, but styles are very Jimi influenced. If u think the Ultimate Collection is givin' u all the best of Jesse U'RE WRONG. If u don't have ne tracks from BMNS u're missin' out.Each track is apparently very personal & u just feel it too when u listen 2 them.

Prince/The Artist may have released a 3 disc set the same year(Emancipation) but BMNS blows Emancipation outta the water--sorry but this 1 goes 2 Jesse. All respects 2 Prince/The Artist though.

The CD is currently on track 7 "Walk Like Me Talk" just str8 rock in your face! His playin' is too hot! I dunno if it's real fair 2 say if I have favorites tracks from the CD b/c I love'em all. Although "I Miss" & "Nevermind Saturn Sunrise" are in my Creative MuVo mp3 player rotation. If I had an Ipod or a more advanced Creative MuVo mp3 player I'd scan the entire CD on 2 it. Track 15 "Monika" is the one that actually makes me get up & dance it's funkrock & the lyrics are badass'n cool at the same time!

Well, 2 the conclusion this CD is not considered a "completion" of Jesse's official releases--this is one U MUST buy if u want 2 hear his TRUE style. U got Rock, Funk, Rhythm 'n Blues, some experiemental all wrapped in2 one--nothin' more u could ask except 4 2 see a video single. Other than that, get this CD. Sure, the prices are type high ($30 & up) but I promise u it's worth it, no disappointments.

Thank U Jesse 4 makin' this wonderful CD & thanx 2 the people whom inspired him.

Where do I begin!This CD is not the Jesse Johnson of the 80's that
you may expect.This is the Jesse we all knew he could be.This CD
gives any hard rock band a run for their money!Jesse displays his
talent that has been laying dormant all these years.He straight up
breaks loose.From hard rock to the blues,Jesse does not disappoint.
He is truly one of the greats of our time.This CD will prove that
to anyone whoever doubted it.I recommend this CD to anyone who
loves Jesse,the blues,hard rock,Hendrix and just flat out talent.
It's all here.Hats off to you J.J.

I like Jesse Johnson's r and b and pop stuff better than this album. It's really heavy on the guitar and overpowers everything else. There's a couple cool songs on here. I really like "Nevermind Saturn Sunrise". It's a cool instrumental, a trippy shockadelica jam. Maybe this cd will grow on me, I've only heard it once so well see how it goes.