Customer Reviews

Running Jumping Standing Still

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4 star:		(1)
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I was also introduced to Spider John Koerner through Spider Robinson. I expected quite a lot from this album, since Robinson describes it in very glowing and almost mythical terms. Well, the first time I listened to it, I wasn't, on the whole, impressed. However, from the second time to the upteenth time I fell in love with it. It's one of the top 10 albums I would have on a deserted island, just for the happy feeling it leaves me with. I really enjoy playing it while doing other activities with friends, like drinking, or cleaning, or building.

The amount of diversity in music here is incredible. At first listen, it sounds like a folk album, but with repeated playings you begin to notice that a lot of jazz, blues influence also go into it. It's surprising how well these performers work together.

The lyrics are clever turns of phrase that make you ponder, without being depressing, just thoughtful. (ie, Magazine Lady: "If you and I were to go for a moonlight swim, would you look the same when you left the water, as you did before you went in?")

Since purchasing this album, I've gone on to buy other Spider John Koerner albums, and just haven't seen the magic that this one had... There's something special here, and I get the feeling that these musicians were in the right frame of mind at the right time, and it's a gift to us all that they managed to capture it...

My first exposure to this music was a rave review by Spider Robinson, the author of the science fiction "Callahan's" books. He was absolutely right! The lyrics will make you think, the beat will make you jump, and the musical quality will make you stand up and shout and then go out and buy copies for your best friends (I've done 4 now with more on the way. Highly recommended!

Every since high school, & that's over 30 years, I've enjoyed this record. Producer Mohawk & the boys capture one of the coolest recorded ambiences of the century (Dr. John's 'GrisGris' also comes to mind; also another inspired Mohawk production, 'the Moray Eels Eat the Holy Modal Rounders') with Koerner's beat/farmboy/outdoorsy romantic writing & delivery plus perfect cheap electric guitar thrashing setting the mood...not forgetting great cigar puffin' rinkytink piano of Willie.

This album is richly redolently suggestive of beer bars basements backwoods riverbanks romance broken hearts & clicking heels, hounddogs rainbows holidays & silk hose! About the only time I did a 'Mecca' pilgrimage to a club was to pay homage to Spider John (appearing solo) for the joy this album gave, that was about 15 years ago. Another guy had come for the same reason. Spider offered to buy me a beer, but I wasn't drinking (pretty ungracious/dumb huh?)... intent on telling him the G-R-R-R-R-R-E-A-ATness of this alvin...its 'non-effeteness' making one proud to be a redblooded American shaking the hand of the man...

& if you dont agree/ then you aint me/ but we can all see/
how it seems to have such an effect!

I bought this when it came out as an LP (I had enjoyed the Koerner, Ray and Glover LPs). The 25th Anniversary CD edition is a joy rediscovered. Definitely one of my all-time Top-10 "Rock" favorites. Imaginatively produced; joyously performed. Timeless!

I really don't know how I found out about this record--maybe because it's similar to the more mainstream The Band, and definitely a roots-rock album from the birth of the genre. However I heard about it, I sure am glad, and thankful to the friend of mine who bought it for me out of the blue. It's a wild, hilarious affair without a dull moment and plenty of wicked honky tonk piano and some surprisingly effective songwriting. It's a bit difficult to get ahold of, but I think it's worth it--I've never heard a record that sounds quite like this one.

"Spider" John Koerner, erstwhile purveyor of blues to white folkies, sings most of the exuberant, humorous lead and plays some energetic, sloppy electric blues guitar. The bearded, old-prospector type, Willie Murphy, plays some ostensibly ridiculous honky tonk piano and sings some soulfully white harmony (and lead on a couple tracks). After a few listens, though, you'll see that his keyboard contributions transcend saloon leads, and venture into jazz, R&B, and blues territory, giving the album a really cosmopolitan feel.

The songwriting on this album is surprisingly good--tight and purposeful while at the same time loose and fun in delivery. The opener, "Red Palace," is one of the more progressive cuts, with a descending kazoo-like scat part, opening the party with fire and laughs, then giving way to a fuzzed-out, funky bass/guitar riff that Murphy solos over with reckless abandon. Not a bad beginning, if you ask me. "I Ain't Blue" is the first example of several great ballads on the album, proving Koerner is just as good an emotive singer as he is up-tempo hollerer. "Bill and Annie" ramps up the party again, with one of the best choruses on the album--"don't let the bastards wear you down/don't get hassled to a frazzle." "Old Brown Dog" features Murphy on lead vocals and features some adventurous jazz improv with a pretty cool acoustic bass line. Other highlights are "Running Jumping Standing Still" with its time shifts, the wit of "Magazine Lady" and the lazy closer, "Good Night," which features a reprise of the title track.

All in all, this album is a real ride--lots of clever lyrics that improve with repeated listens, great energy, cool old-time production with some tasteful horns in a few places, and a stylistic mishmash much in the spirit (if not the sound exactly) of The Band's best. I recommend this album to fans of folk as well as the different directions folk started to take when combined with rock (Byrds, '66 Dylan, The Band, etc.). It's sure to bend your genre horizons and help you have a great time as well. I think it's worth the somewhat high price it usually calls. Hope you enjoy!

Running, Jumping, Standing Still is. This disk is a necessity for those who are ready to live, laugh, and remember to forget. Spider John is still around, playing and singing at most major cities and is a treat to see. Everybody finds out about him exactly at the right time. You'll be there.

I found this CD by accident and was blown away. Even John Lennon once said it was his favorite album. You can hear so much, done so well in this album. It's a perfect mix of rock, folk, jazz, and blues, combined with John Koerners voice and Willie Murphy's AMAZING piano playing. On top of all this, it's an album written by and for real people whose emotions extend far beyond the typical self-satisfaction and bland affection of "classic-rock"

This is an amazing collection of songs by two of Minnesota music's favorite sons. I'm suprised to see that this CD is going for so much money on Amazon, when New copies can still be ordered from www.redhouserecords.com for only 15 dollars. If you want this CD, I suggest you get it from Red House Records. It's cheaper, and at least that way you'll be supporting the artists (who are still alive).

Yes. This is a solid set and easy enough to access, and far cheaper, through the Red House Production/Distribution House. It's an album that is live and ready, transcends the era of its making, and worth the investment. And, in the reluctance of the Sweet Jane crew, to reissue the equally, if not nudgingly superior,'Music is Just a Buch of Notes', this will have to suffice as testament to the Murphy/Koerner chemistry. 'Stargeezer' gave us some of, M.I.J.B.N's songs, with a fuller deck of hands, but not quite the wackiness. If you liked 'Stargeezer', write to Sweet Jane and urge re-ssue of the aforementioned. Elsewhere I've noted the relaxed and joyous variety that exudes from their relationship, and in passing, recommended the kindred spirit, if not musicality, of The Gourds.

I've had the vinyl version of this album for years and it's incredible. I met John while a student at the University of Minnesota in 1962 and he actually taught me a lick or two on the guitar. He went on to accomplish great music while I have plucked away unnoticed! The album is a story and a joy. To me, it's like a blues/folk version of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Running, Jumping, Standing Still is unique, full of energy, full of great music, and one of my favorite albums.