Customer Reviews

Jo Mama

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I first heard this L.P. in 1970 after seeing them in concert.
It is still my favorite album along with four other people I
know. It's just simply great Rock and Roll Jazz!. The lead
singer is fantastic and so are the horns.

Jo Mama signed to Atlantic and recorded this self-titled LP in 1970 followed by "J Is for Jump" in 1971. Abigale Haness sang leads on most tracks. One of Carole King's husbands, Charley Larkey, played bass. Abigale did background vocals on Carole King's first album "Writer" as well as King's "Music" & "Wrap Around Joy." She also sang on Kate Taylor's self-titled debut & brother James Taylor's "One Man Dog." Danny Kootch aka Danny Kortchmar, who played with James Taylor on his early albums, played lead guitar. Carole King sang backup vocals on this disc which was produced by Peter Asher. The group may not have sold a huge quantity of albums, but it did develop a strong and devoted following that loved its blend of jazz and rock.

Some of the tracks on this their first disc are classics that I still pull out regularly. The slow jazz burn of "Midnight Rider" with Abigale's high wistful vocals is a gem, "Did you find out why people are so hard? Do you learn how to always be on guard?" "Searching High, Searching Low" is a midtempo crooner with Abigale on lead vocals and Ralph Schuckett's keyboards tinkling joyfully on this sweet jazz/pop meld. "Lighten Up, Tighten Up" & "Venga Venga" are both toe tappers that bring a smile. Danny Kootch's "Sailing" is a great mood piece that makes you feel the joy of being on a boat in open water, "Sail away to the sea of dreams." The band whips through a firecracker version of the rock classic "Great Balls of Fire." Two of Kootch's more humorous tracks "The Sky Is Falling & "Check Out this Gorilla" come near the end. ["Gorilla" being the title of a James Taylor set a few years later.] Of my two very favorite tracks is the lovely "The Word Is Goodbye" with its moody sax solo and delightful jazz arrangement, "I used to be there every time you'd call, that was the time when you could count on me, but the times they change so rapidly & there's no way for me to ease the pain on you." This track is pure ambrosia. The band wrote the last track "Love'll Get You High" with its soaring vocals underneath Abigale's floating alto, "Why be brokenhearted cause she let you down, It's easy to get started if you come around." It's a delicious back-on-your-feet track with an infectiously catchy melody. The jazz/pop meld compares to Blood, Sweat & Tears' work during this era, although different in tone. "Jo Mama" is a classic album, not to be missed either in this import format or the Wounded Bird reissue along with their follow-up LP. Bravo!