Customer Reviews

Blackberry Jams

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I wonder why this cd gets so many bad reviews. First of all before you buy this you should read what it is about, that way you will not be disapointed. There is not much new material, just a lot of different arrangements (of songs on his cds with Caco, and solo) and demos of the songs (from different albums) before they were recorded. It is pretty cool in my opinion to hear Jason play when he is not caring about what is happening. He still rips it up. And people rate this cd saying it's outdated. Well of course it is, it was recorded 10 years ago, don't buy it if you don't wanna hear it. If you know these facts before you buy the cd, I don't understand how you could be unhappy with it. It's a treat to hear him play in this setting.

This album and Raspberry Jams are what they are. What does that mean, you say? That means, these are "old" demo's that were never originaly planed to be released. That explains the audio quality, "Ya Morons". And, if you have lived under a rock for the last 12+ years, Jason has ALS. What is that, you say? put down your playstaion and shut off your thug rap and try reading something other than your box of captain crunch,You Brain Gimps! It is very costly to treat this serious disease. So, you heartless, brainless, savages, try using what's left your bird brains and think, " Gosh! Jason just may NEED the money to STAY ALIVE"!! Maybe that's one reason they were released. And as far as you "Poser" musicans saying Jason doesn't play with feel, what exactly do you mean? Are you saying that a player who plays a fast, clean run is not "feeling" it? Playing with "feel" to so many of you musically challenged, is to sloppily bend a few notes. Just like the two most famous and with out a doubt "WORST" PLAYERS to to ever lift a guitar. They are #1 jimmy "the slop bucket" paige and #2 eric "arthritis hands" clapton. In that order and NO, I didn't forget to use uppercase for their names. So, now you can go listen to your favorite bands, stink-182, limpdix,and the rest of the non-talents. Oh, by the way, saying that 80's music is old and out of date, the horse dung, dog vomit of today sounded better when it came out the first time....... IN THE 60's AND 70's!!

For anyone who doesn't know Jason Becker at all, he played 80's metal style music. Most of what I have heard stands out as very instrumental... so I love it. This CD contains many awesome guitar bits and bites by Jason Becker. Although some of the tracks were not recorded in a studio but recorded at a low-quality(4-track) that is because most of them weren't intended for release. This CD shows Jason Becker as a very talented Guitarist. Some of the tracks are mind-blowing and remind me of Yngwie Malmsteen or Steve Vai for pure technical ability. A warning to all who don't like lead or classical metal guitar: that's all this is.

I've been reading all this reviews and can't believe someone could say something like becker was the last from an era, or he was late for it, it's just nonsense, he was like 17 or 16 years old when he started being a recognisable musician, you think it would've been better four years before that? hearing a 12 years old playing like vai, malmsteen, etc?, it's just nonsense, and no feeling player? some of us just wish to ever have the talent and feeling becker had when he could play, imagine if he could still be playing right now, every musician grows with the time, becker was unstoppable... you should hear every recording he has, this cd is not ment to be a masterpiece, its just so you can hear his ideas, his technic, etc..

Also there's no need to compare these kind of artists, everyone has his own, unique, style of playing, different feeling, different thoughts and ideas, Becker was one more, just like that, if you appreciate guitar playing you should hear and take whatever it comes to understand what the music generally is, individual ideas mixed with others, and something like that....
And this album offers that, so if you want to improve your playing you should hear this album and start making your own recordings. And think, how would you feel if all your heart was in those recordings, then you get a horrible disease that leaves you paralized and then people tells you that those recordings you made are just trash, that you're not a player at all, and there are just better things to listen to, you're not watching the complete picture. Go to a beckers page and read his biography, then you'll want to buy this album and everything else he has put out, you won't regret

Jason is one the most inspirational and talented musicians around. A virtual prodigy. He never for the publicity he deserved and is now, finally, being recognized. Please check out his site jasonbecker.com. Great jams and unbelievable technique. I'm a huge Randy Rhoads fan, but Jason has won my attention. Pick up "blackberry jams" as well. I believe that "perspective" is the definitive answer to this courageous man's talent.
Tyler Dodd - avid musician and music lover,guitars ROCKKKKK

Personally, being fellow musician I have alot for what Jason Becker did. My jaw drops every time i hear cacophony or his solo work. It seems by reading the other reviews that people either love or hate this album. Being a musician I have no chioce but to rate it 5. So what if its 'outdated' outdated music in my opinion is better anyway!

I've waited a very long time to hear these jams on CD. As a guitarist of 14 years, who also plays the shred genre music, I was always blown away by Jason's incredible techinque, flair, and unique melodism. This CD represents the beginnings of one of shred's greatest instrumental records..Perpetual Burn. My all time favorite shred track, "Mabel's Fatal Fable," is demonstrated here in its rawest form, several times in fact, and in different sections, along with "Altitudes" (my other favorite), and some "Go Off!" era Cacophony pieces. I love hearing his demo pieces, because to me, its interesting to see how these tracks came to be..not to mention the fact I spend countless hours demoing my own instrumentals. It's very inspiring to listen to, and I have to say that if your a true guitar fanatic, you'll love this CD because it really represents, in my opinion, Jason's most creative and inspiring period of the early part of his career..check it out, you wont be disappointed!

Jason was so good that he got his scratch recordings and demos released. Jason is regarded as one of the most technically gifted guitarists ever. He hadn't even had a chance to play to his full potential. Guys like Yngwie could only talk[...] because they knew that they were one-dimentional hacks. One of the great things about Jason was his ability to adapt and play anything. As for having no feel? Listen to "Rain". Tell me then. This album is totally scratch demos. There are no full production songs or anything new. It's just a look inti the mind of a genius.

If you're looking for a trendy mediocre style of guitar playing then this CD is not for you. This CD is for aspiring Guitarists who want to progress and take their guitar playing beyond the boundaries of commercial guitar playing. For those who think this CD is outdated; 1) Its was recorded in the 80's. 2) Mozart is outdated as well but that doesn't mean we can't love and appreciate his talent. 3) There are 10's of thousands of guitarists that can shred. Jason Becker not only shreds but also plays with the most feeling.

Yes the quality is poor and yes it was done on a 4 Track. Quality is not the issue here. It's the amazing talent this man possesses. This CD takes you back to the creative stage in the making of Perpetual Burn and Go Off. You get to hear the early ideas mixed up along with licks that never made it to the final recordings. Many guitarists are quick to judge and dismiss because they're intimidated by this kind of playing. The true fact is that this man is a phenomenal musician and this CD allows you just another peak at the musical madness that lies within his head.

Jason Becker was an extremely talented guitar player, and still is a great musician. Hopefully technology will someday allow him to express himself to the world again. Beethoven was deaf, but still extremely talented. Why would ALS make Jason any Less of a musician? His style was really fast guitar playing, (and he kicked butt at it) but it had so much emotion and feeling. He just expressed it differently than a blues musician would. People often mistake this for a lack of feeling. Classical music and Neoclassical Shred however have such extreme emotion and intensity if you listen. I would also highly recommend Jason Becker's Perspective album. That album has so much feeling that I thought my head might explode. His music may not be for everyone however. If all you listen to is rap and Celine Dion, you may not like this. Just accept that you don't like it and don't listen to it. There are plenty of people who will like it.