Customer Reviews

Jericho

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

 

 

It all started with British guitarist/vocalist Robert Huxley,a member of a British beat group "The Saxons"(where he used the name Robbie Gale)."The Saxons" were enlisted by legendary record producer Joe Meek to become "The New Tornados".Then Joe Meek died tragically.While touring the middle east with The New Tornados,Huxley met some Israeli musicians and formed the psychedelic band "Churchills",who cut one Israeli album in 1967.All but the lead singer relocated to England,where they became "Jericho Jones"(cutting the album "Monkeys,Junkies & Donkeys"),then shortening their name to "Jericho" for their self-titled second album.Both albums were originally taped for "Red Bus Productions",who licensed them to A&M.But,when he group refused to play gigs that "Red Bus" had booked in South Africa,"Red Bus" terminated the recording deal,blocking the group from recording directly for A&M.The group disbanded.The four Israelis went back to Israel,and Rob Huxley moved to Florida,where he lives happily to this day,and occasionally makes music.

This band was originally from Israel and they were known as the "Churchills". They moved to England in 1968 and released an album under the name of the "Churchills". They later re-named the band to "Jericho Jones" and released an excellent album in 1971 named "Junkies, Monkies and Donkies". For some reason they changed their name again, this time only dropping the "Jones" and going as "Jericho". This album was released in 1972 and received some FM airplay. It was very well received by the critics. Here are my ratings of the songs based out of 5 *****:

"Ethiopa" - This song got some airplay from self-respecting radio stations that were allowed to play their own setlists. This is a fast tempo, hard rocker right out of the early RUSH soundbook. The first two and a half minutes are a hardrocking instrumental that sets the tempo and melody. There is some great bass playing and guitar soloing. Rob Huxley's throaty vocals then scream in. The tempo is fast and heavy with plenty of guitar fills (a mixture of King Crimson and Led Zeppelin). A fantastic hard rock song. Rating - *****

"Don't You Let Me Down" - Acoustic guitar opens this tune, but doesn't stay long. Electric guitar, drums and vocals soon take over. Heavy bass lines and drum beat with vocals that sound like Badfinger on steroids. The tune has a strong, surging rhythm with fantastic bass work and guitar playing. A very hard rocking song. Rating - ****

"Featherbed" - The sound is reminiscent of early Alice Cooper, "Killer" era. There is some nice vocal harmonizing with a strong '60's vibe going on. The song has a few tempo changes ranging from hard and fast with blazing guitar solos, to slow and mesmerizing like Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". Extended guitar solo with psychedelic echoing and distortion. The guitars are given ample room to shine. The song then returns to its main theme and ends with Who-esque drum crashing and power chording. Another fine piece. Rating - ****

"Justin And Nova" - Synthesizer effects of a spaceship landing opens this song. Acoustic guitar and piano with some group humming, followed by drums and bass. A very psychedelic, spacey feeling envelopes this song. Orchestral strings in the background helps the mood reach the stars. There again is great bass playing and nice guitar fills throughout. The lyrics are space flight oriented (chemical or mechanical determined by the listener)! The piano and strings get alot of attention. The tempo changes throughout but the ethereal feeling remains. High pitched "AHHHHS" along with Keith Moon-like drumming and repeating guitar melody lands you back to Earth. A beautiful piece. Rating - ****

"Kill Me With Your Love" - The sound of water accompanied by acoustic guitar, clears the way for the electric guitar with echo effects. Flute playing then joins adding color and ambiance. Thunder-like effects gives one the feeling of listenig to a storm while laying in bed. The tempo and mood then makes a 180 degree turn, as the drum and bass kick in. The tempo turns fast; the drums are hard, bass heavy and guitar chugging. "Move it up and down. That's what she told me. Spin it round and round. That's what she told me." Hey! She told me the same thing! Oh, well. The lyrics are funny but the musicianship is excellent. This a very heavy, hard rocking song that KILLS! Great work. Rating - ****

This was the last album the band did, as the group split up shortly after this release and returned to Israel. Even though the band no longer exists, thankfully this music still does. This is a lost gem from the progressive/hardock era that highlights the awesome musicianship from that bygone time. The playing is topnotch and the album is as well. Buy this if you can!

Okay, so I can't actually think of many others, but geography be damned, this album ranks amongst the finest heavy records of the early 70s. Dropping the '...Jones' from their name, the band releashed this LP on A&M in 1972. Just five songs on offer here, including 'Justin and Nova', 'Featherbed' and 'Kill Me with your Love' - lengthy smouldering tracks that make this album a favourite among a new breed of stoner rock fans

It may be hard to believe, but this slab of 70's heavyness actually came from a band hailing from Isreal. They only put out this one album, and it's a gem. If you like other 70's rock such as Uriah Heep, Captain Beyond, Hawkwind, etc..You will dig this CD. I searched for 4 or 5 years for this disc, and I expected to pay tons of cash. Buy it now while you have the chance.

This is not the same 'Jericho' 5 man hard rock/progressive band from the late 60's early 70s. Similar bands to this band would not be Sir Lord Baltimore, Andromeda et. al. This band is a 90's band that has an alternative edge to their sound. I found their music to be innovative and kinda good. Their singer at times sounds like Jim Morrison, but don't be fooled into thinking that this is the brilliant 'Jericho' from the 1970s. Because they ain't them! If you like Collective soul, or the Dave Matthews band with a lyrical death twist then this band is for you! Why these bands name themselves after one another is beyond me and can be confusing. I'm sorry I got confused on this one!

I finally picked this up when I found it fairly cheap on Amazon, and I'm glad I did. At first listen, I thought it sounded like a lot of other early hard rock albums, but, I sat down and really listened to it, and ended up listening to it 3 times over. There is a lot going on here. What an excellent musical journey. I wish it was longer, but this was made back when vinyl was king, so you only get about 40 some minutes of great music. I guess there basic sound would be a mix of early Led Zeppelin/Deep Purple/Pink Floyd. But after repeated listenings I could here so much more. I heard similarities to a wide range of bands such as Atomic Rooster, Focus, Alan Parsons Project, The Who, Gentle Giant, Hawkwind, Wishbone Ash and Can. What a combination, and you can here vocals, guitar and music passages in every song that will remind you of several of these bands in the same cut. Not gonna go into the history or songs on the album, 'cause several people have already done a fine job of that. But, if you want an excellent album of early 70's style, progressive hard rock, this is it. A lot of good driving rock, lush melodies, ever changing time signatures/soundscapes and meaningful jamming. Great album as a whole. Pick it up.

Similarities to Rush/Zeppelin and Alice Cooper have been used to describe the music contained on this album. Listening to both albums this morning (The other, Junkies Monkeys and DOnkeys) I would like to name-check some other bands that caught my mind. The J.M.D. album had strong leanings at times towards Jethro Tull and especially early era Moodie Blues, and on one track, Peter Greens (Of Fleetwood Mac) moody guitar comes to mind in a flash. Wishbone Ash also spring to mind, but when we get to the heavier tracks, most noticeably on the latter album, I was reminded of obscure early 70s US hard rockers' BANG and BULL ANGUS. All bands I have mentioned are all top-drawer, and this is obviously a top-drawer album. I am into obscure 70s Rock music, and when in a record shop in the late 80s, the shop assistant put on said album, and opening track "Ethiopia" made me buy the LP straight away. Great guitar, strong vocals, good songwriting and soothing harmonies make this one must have album.

In the early 1970's the renowned radio channel "Radio Luxemburg" played a song called "Justin and nova" over and over , with this Israelian group called Jericho, for me and my friends completely unknown. For a person, like me, who loved rock music with melody, harmony and passion this was a new and overwhealming experience. I bought the record and still got the vinyl in my collection. Now I got the CD as well. Jericho's music very much contain what designates rock music of the 70's. It's hard, it's filled with beautiful harmonies, it's experimental and it builds musical landscapes. It is very much what you can expect from real good rock 'n roll, and it is very much the unexpected. If you look for something new, although it's "old", this is definitely a CD to be added to your collection.

In all my days of rocking, this album has captivated me so much that I rate it in my Top 3 rock album list. I heard it for the first time at a friend's house and he has always fed it to me in bits and pieces. Now however, I have managed (finaly) to obtain it for myself, and believe me, it will hold pride of place in an extensive collection.

If you are a rocker....BUY IT, this oppertunity will not come easily again!

I have always wondered whatever happened to these guys. I know most of them were from Israel, except for Rob Huxley. I saw them at the Marquee Club in London in the fall of 72 and they were so loud, I was plastered to the wall from the sound pressure! This version was only a four piece and either the drummer or bass player was also a Bloke.

I finally got a copy of the CD and it is just amazing! The whole thing rocks and Justin and Nova, in particular, really stands out. The first cut is how I remember them from the Marquee club and their chord progressions are unique. Too bad they disappeared as they really put on a good show. My ears are still ringing!