A Letter to Katherine December [Import]

Jake Holmes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 31, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Radioactive
• ASIN: B0006JF0FU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #721,647 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Saturday Night

2. Late Sleeping Day

3. Chase Your Eyes

4. Diner Song

5. High School Hero

6. Moving Day

7. Leaves Never Break

8. It's Always Somewhere Else

9. Sleeping Woman

10. Houston Street

Editorial Reviews

U.S. folk-rock singer/songwriter Jake Holmes' second album, originally released in 1968 on the Tower label. Phoenix Records' reissue of Holmes' first album, "The Above Ground Sound..." generated an amazing level of interest. Of course, the fact that the album included the original "Dazed And Confused" had quite a lot to do with it, but it soon became apparent that Holmes' music, along with the work of a number of other male singer-songwriters is enjoying a bit of a renaissance at the moment. A Letter To Katherine December is a record that many critics rate even more highly than his first. This is indeed a great follow-up; an album which easily evades the shadow of its predecessor's success and another recording that, in typical Holmes fashion, defies description. Although Rick Randle, whose bizarre bass playing was such a feature on the first album, is missing on this one, Charlie Fox's immaculate string and horn arrangements more than compensate. Holmes' eccentric songwriting is here in all its rich diversity, the sound quality is outstanding and the production standards superb. As was the case with its predecessor, A Letter... failed to achieve any real commercial impact, so Holmes switched to a more country feel for his next two releases. Obviously, he had perplexed the people at Tower Records enough by this time, and so the label cancelled his contract. Without a safety net, Holmes plunged into the world of TV commercials, which, ironically, is where he was to eventually enjoy his only real financial success. Another great album that comes highly recommended. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get his first album before this one., March 27, 2008

By 

Daniel Medrano (Anaheim, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Letter to Katherine December (Audio CD)

Letter to Kathrine December is Jake Holmes second album and is very unique piece of the times. Lush jazzy psychedelic arrangements played by top notch musicians. As good as this album is though, I believes his first "The Above Ground Sound" is superior. "Above Ground" is more folky, more freaky, and just more overall psychedelic. "Katherine" is much more jazz and pop influenced with heavy string and horn orchestration, something I believe is not necessary and takes away from the raw genius of his first album.