Customer Reviews

Long Distance Lovers

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Head out on the open road--or just take your soul for a drive--with J-45's excellent debut disc, "Long Distance Lovers." Singer/songwriter and guitarist Jim English is behind the wheel of this country-tinged collection, and his poetic gifts and sense of history--both public and private--shine through the acoustic/electric guitar and steel petal soundscape. When he sings "Now I take my coffee black/black as the darkest day," on the disc's first song ("Open Road"), you know you've hitched a ride with a skillful storyteller. Even when English laments, "I'm a lone star/in a lone star state," ("Lone Star"), neither his delivery nor the band's accompaniment crash into the maudlin or pathetic. Perhaps the album title reflects the tone of "Long Distance Lovers" best; on this road trip, complicated love is better than no love at all.

This debut album by J-45 is great! The CD illustrates the depth and range of James English's song writing ability and musical talent. Where did he come from anyway? The music is a mix of country & folk & blues & a splash of rock & plenty of soul. The back-up musicians and singers add another dimension that makes the whole CD a true by-product of synergism. "Open Road", "Stolen Mule" and most especially "Revival" are my favorites (my wife votes for "Revival" too.) I also enjoy "Lone Star."

You'll really enjoy the rhythms and variety on this album -- get it today!

Long Distance Lovers presents a newcomer to the music world. Jim English and J-45 have taken a variety of well crafted lyrics and set them to music that makes you tap your foot and sing along. The CD ranges from R&B, country and folk. There is evidence of the Beatles as a possible influence on one song too. The singing is pleasant, not forced and harsh. I particularly liked "Stolen Mule" and "Love That Cannot Be". Try it! This CD is for someone who likes to kick back and relax without having the music shoved down his throat.