Lonely Planet Boy

Jobriath | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B0002ZYDJC
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,501 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Heartbeat

2. Morning Star Ship

3. Be Still

4. Space Clown

5. I'maman

6. Street Corner Love

7. I Love a Good Fight [#]

8. What a Pretty

9. Blow Away

10. Ecubyan

11. Inside

12. Earthling

13. Scumbag

14. Movie Queen

15. Dietrich/Fondyke (A Brief History of Movie Music)

Editorial Reviews

Produced by Eddie Kramer. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, July 12, 2005

By 

Cat Black "Wizard's Hat" (Boston, Mass) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Boy (Audio CD)

Having scrolled through the reviews, I am struck by the polarity of the opinions on display. Over the top claims that he was better than Bowie/Bolan (he wasn't, he was himself and that was plenty enough) or alternatively vitriolic criticism that verges on character assassination. (The guy is dead, isn't it time you gave him a break?)

Personally, I find the album fascinating. It's much better than I imagined. The resemblance to the music featured in "Hedwig & The Angry Inch" is incredible. (Yes, it's THAT contemporary!) Not all but a handful of the songs are truly excellent, e.g. "Ecubyan" & "Inside". I don't like his rockier stuff so much but, hey, that's called personal taste.

David Bowie spent the first part of his career imitating Anthony Newley and singing about "The Laughing Gnome". Fact! Shouldn't that be more than enough reason to give people pause before slagging off Jobriath. Bowie had time to mature. Jobriath didn't and still there are glimpses of greatness on "Lonely Planet Boy". Can the same be said of Mr Jones' Decca recordings? I think not!

All in all, I think Jobriath got a raw deal. And now that will never be put right. This album constitutes his legacy and it deserves respect. Jobriath has mine.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Theatrical pop/rock at its best, November 10, 2004

By 

John L. Hughes, Jr. "hughes_jr" (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lonely Planet Boy (Audio CD)

Four years before Meatloaf even seen a bat from hell, Jobriath was making interesting pop/rock with a theatrical flare. These self-written songs are just ripe to be in a top-notch Broadway musical, especially "Blow Away", "Heartbeat" and "Movie Queen". Detailed liner notes on the first known openly gay rock star signed to a major label are fascinating, while the credits lists such top-notch musicians as John Paul Jones (of Lead Zepplin), Peter Frampton and future disco producer Gregg Diamond (Andre True's "More More More"). Although Jobriath has his own uniqueness, the best way to describe his singing style is David Bowie + Elton John + Meatloaf (although he came before Mr.Loaf). This compilation is docked one star because it's slightly over 60 minutes long (surely both of Jobriath's albums could have fit on one cd).

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Time to Reevaluate, July 1, 2005

By 

Thomas Stewart "tws234" (Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lonely Planet Boy (Audio CD)

I purchased Jobriath's first album in 1973 based solely on the artist-as-legless-statue cover artwork, only to be amazed at the man's ability to play piano. Second impression at the time: this guy can't sing. Still, I loved it--Jobriath could rock, camp, emote, annoy, and fascinate. As a coming-out college student, I was intrigued.

Now, more than thirty years later with the release of "Lonely Planet Boy" it's time to reevaluate. In hindsight one can concentrate on the failed hype to make Jobriath a 70's glam star (he had an abundance of musical talent; he was not all corporate product), his appropriation of Bowie's pose as a pansexual space alien, his contribution (or lack thereof) to gay rock culture, and/or his personal tragedies, including his early death from AIDS. But what about his music? In a sense, it's like asking, "What about Marilyn Monroe's ability to act?" The "legend", if you will, and history now come as part of the package.

While Jobriath was classically trained, his music was a blend of rock, theatre, and cabaret. I am still awed by his keyboards, especially grand piano. Lyrically, what shocked in '73 no longer surprises. I think the artist was often just having a bit of campy fun in lines like "It's very gay to blow away" (I doubt he was speaking of the sands of time, although he may have intended the ambiguity). And while his voice can still grate, it's an acquired taste.

Jobriath is one of those artists one either loves or hates. What's the value of art if it doesn't prick you at some level and elicit some kind of an emotional response? It's thirty years later and Jobriath still pricks. Much depends on one's own musical background, preferences, emotional baggage, and judgement criteria, especially when subject artist has been dead for over two decades. If you love melodious vocalists, look elsewhere. If you prefer to listen to legends who left outsized footprints on pop culture, then Jobriath is not for you. However, if you are touched by artists with tragic histories, enjoy "Little Richard meets Librace"-type keyboards, or are just plain curious about someone's ability to polarize 32 years on, then give "Lonely Planet Boy" a listen. I give this CD 4 stars because I think all tracks from Jobriath's two albums should have been included, plus there's those nasally vocals. Jobriath is certainly not everyone's cup of tea--but he may just be yours.