Customer Reviews

Great Battle

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

 

 

I'm a fan of Jon Dee Graham. I think his first record, Escape from Monster Island, was awesome and his best. But his new one, The Great Battle, has superseded it. He has reached new heights as a lyricist. These songs are powerful and, at times, moving ( see Sleep Enough to Dream and Change). Charlie Sexton did a good job of producing this record, not too slick.

Jon Dee Graham has been around a long time and paid his dues, and it shows. This is a good record for people who like good thoughtful songwriting but still like Rock and Roll.

I have seen Jon Dee play live and there is really nothing like it. When he comes out on stage you might think he looks like a guy who should be working at a hardware store. He absolutely blazes on that Fender strat. This album is getting a lot more notice (4 stars in Rolling Stone) than his previous three which is good but if you pick up one you will want to get the others.
By all means if Jon Dee Graham comes any near where you live, OR if you got to Austin, see him play.

My word, this is just a fine performance. Nothing phony here. Engaging stories, brooding but hopeful vocals, memorable songs and a sizzling version of Neil Young's "Harvest". This is going to be in my cd player for awhile. I'm already humming these songs, can't wait to see him live.

If you aren't in Austin with a chance to go see Jon Dee at the Continental Club or the Saxon Pub, you'll need this to feed your jones. The production by Charlie Sexton is flawless and this is the gruff and gravelly fellow in 3D. I listen to this at home in New Orleans and then, sometimes, I just need to jump in the car and drive the 500 miles to see him live in Austin. Companion pieces would be by Alejandro Escovedo. And take a look into the past and "gift" yourself a copy of Charlie Sexton's Under The Wishing Tree.

I too have seen this guy live (The Continental Club, Austin) and his music is a perfect example of an American blue/rock.

At times he's Tom Waits who can actually play interesting blues/rock music. At other times, he plays with a Stevie Ray Vaughn style.

Songwriting = 8 out of 10
Style = 8 out of 10
Musicianship 9 out of 10

I'm excited to hear this guy as I am totally bored with the latest in "rock" and cRap.