Customer Reviews

Moonburn

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've never been moved to write a review before, but this.... this is the thing. Not a duff track, not a duff note. The piano playing alone will make you choke it's so beautiful. And the band, and Cleary's voice, and the production, oh just buy it for heaven's sake

I've never been moved to write a review before, but this.... this is the thing. Not a duff track, not a duff note. The piano playing alone will make you choke it's so beautiful. And the band, and Cleary's voice, and the production, oh just buy it for heaven's sake

In late August, I was walking past the Ambos Mundo hotel in old town Havana when I did a complete 360 and ran into the hotel -- pouring out of the open windows and doors was the most low down, funky, driving version of "Rockin' Pneumonia" that I have ever heard. The lobby of the hotel was jammed with listeners, and more people kept pouring in as Jon Cleary played an impromptu set of about 5 numbers, ending with a sweet, mellow "Summertime." Although I give this CD 5 stars, I agree with the reviewer that said production is a little thin -- Cleary is capable of blowing a studio apart -- the man's left hand must be heard live to be believed. His pal at the Ambos Mundo told us he has a contract for 5 more CDs -- Jon, please make one of them LIVE!

you have never heard so much funk generated by 4 guys! brilliant and, at the same time, probably at risk of getting caught in the grey spaces between blues and R&B and gospel and funk and rock. which is ok with me -- as long as i can keep walking easily into their gigs. my worry is that they will not be sufficiently discovered, and they will not be able to produce enough cd's to fill my craving! cleary and his band are in high demand as studio musicians with folks like raitt and taj mahal... buy their cd ASAP so we can keep them together long enough to pump out some more of this awesome and unique music! i got really luck and stumbled into the maple leaf in new orleans after a long day at jazz fest and jammed with cleary and the monsters 'til early the next morning. bought their cd immediately and i'm now at risk of needing to buy another copy since mine is wearing out. yesterday, saw them again with bonnie raitt sitting in on a few songs. this is KILLER music, people. there is something for everyone on this album. i'm ready for the next one!

Jon Cleary, along with Henry Butler, is arguably the most talented and vital living New Orleans pianist on the scene today. He combines a knowledge of the tradition with the desire to take the music to new places using hip-hop, classic soul music, and more intense funk. He has creativity and talent pouring out of his fingers.

Moonburn is a good album, but it's also a huge disappointment for anybody that's heard the same songs live. In person, Cleary's arrangements of these songs drive ahead with incredible force, determination, and good ol' fonk, filling the house with a full sound completely showcasing his and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen's considerable talents. However, on "Moonburn," he fails to capture this energy because of bad production choices and thin arrangements. Cleary forgoes using the Gentlemen on most of the tracks in favor of electronic percussion, his own stagnant bass playing, and session musicians that lack the fire and understanding of his music that the Gentlemen have. It's what makes the difference between good songs and great, even classic songs. This album would have benefitted from taking the tunes on the road first, allowing their personality to flourish like they do in concert now. If you like Jon Cleary, or even modern New Orleans music, you'll want this album. However, understand that these songs serve as mere blueprints for the live versions, then go see him and get ready to be blown away. Hopefully, a live album with definitive versions of the numbers on "Moonburn" will be recorded. The title track especially stands-out, which, played live, could be the song of the year in New Orleans, if not the decade, but you wouldn't know it from the recorded version.

I don't know if I went more than a week without listening to this disk for the 6 months I spent in Kenya. I captures my home and my favorite city completely. From blues to R&B to gospel to funk, it's all on this CD. It may be cliche, but this disk is quintessential. I don't know if it's because Cleary doesn't take things for granted (not being a native), or it's a matter of his finding his true home, but whatever it is IT WORKS!

If you are into New Orleans Rhythm and Blues with a so sweet funky beat (done just right), then you need this CD. Cleary and the Gentlemen are excellent proformers; catch them live if you can. Their rhythmic sophistication and originality will blow you away.

Received this sight unseen in the mail (I'm a blues/soul DJ) and was amazed when I played it. A beautiful, funky record that sounds like Little Feat meets the Neville Brothers, except the sound is more original than that implies. Cleary is a strong vocalist and as good a songwriter--this is five star New Orleans funk record with some surprisingly tasty pop-sounding tunes as well. My favorite release of the year.

I have never seen Jon Cleary play live, I bought this on reputation from fellow musicians. I am totally in love with this album -- it's been the only CD in my car for a month now. If you loved the sound and total groove of Robert Palmer's "Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley" album (which had New Orleans and Little Feat back-up), you can't not love this album. Unlike one of the reviews, I love the production on this album -- Cleary is a master, not only piano player and groove maker, but lyrics and themes. For grownup tastes. I'll bet the Steely Dan duo cop stuff from this one!

Fell in love with this artist when he was touring with Bonnie Raitt. Makes me want to visit New Orleans for sure!