Customer Reviews

Soul of a City Boy

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's no sense in my telling you what a great album Soul of a City Boy is. I bought the record in 1965 or so when it came out and played it to death. I still have it but don't have a turntable. I recently sat down to think of some folk albums I owned as a kid that I'd like to buy on CD, and Soul was at the top of my list. So I headed to Amazon and found it was available--for $140!. Seems they put it out on CD, then discontinued it. This album needs to be re-re-released on CD at a normal price for Jesse's aging fans.

If you agree, go to JesseColinYoung.com and ask that he put this out again and let the speculators eat those overpriced CDs.

This was a great first album and in many ways Young might have been better off artistically by continuing to perform these kinds of songs. Well-played and well-sung, these songs had a fresh sound back then and if you listen to this recording now, it still has that appeal.

This is one of my favorite albums. It is pure from the soul. Need I say more...

If you appreciated Jesse's songs and voice on the Youngblood records you'll love this. Just the young Jesse and guitar. Reminiscent of Jesse Winchester's southern elegance, with a touch of Tim Hardin, and Sun Session Elvis - but really something else entirely. Besides, Jesse C. is actually a native of Queens! After a long day, I'd like to sit on a smokey mountain hillside porch and let Jesse's "Rye Whiskey" wash over me and then top it off with "Sunlight" from his Youngbloods days.

I had this album in my collection thirty years ago and it is the best. Jesse went on to the Youngbloods where he became very well known but this was a far more down to earth sound. It is great!!!!

Thats all I can say: $250.00 for a CD? Come on! This is 60's roots music, a germinal work. Please lobby for a release!

I saw Jesse Colin Young several times (1964-1968). He was one of the very few "folk" types who could not only sing well, but play better than most. This sparkling album has held up superbly after all these years, and it is with great sadness that it is out of print. Some are trying to charge a greedy price because of that, especially for a CD. But for those who must have it, just know it is out there, and for a price you can't refuse.

After years of having my copies of this album somehow keep disappearing, getting another copy, losing that copy & years of being without any copies as it is now out of print, I was thrilled to find a copy for a decent price in (I hope; haven't been able to play it yet)good condition. Young's version of "Rye Whiskey" has got to be the all time definitive version & I am so glad to have it at my disposal once more. Now, if I can just replace the needle in my phonograph, I'll be set!

Jesse Colin Young

If I were to ask someone, in the year 2008, to name a male folk singer from the 1960's I would assume that if I were to get an answer to that question that the name would be Bob Dylan. And that would be a good and appropriate choice. One can endlessly dispute whether or not Dylan was (or wanted to be) the voice of the Generation of '68 but in terms of longevity and productivity he fits the bill as a known quality. However, there were a slew of other male folk singers who tried to find their niche in the folk milieu and who, like Dylan, today continue to produce work and to perform. The artist under review Jesse Colin Young is one such singer/songwriter.

The following is a question that I have been posing in reviewing the work of a number of male folk singers from the 1960's and it is certainly an appropriate question to ask of Jesse as well. I do not know if Jesse Colin Young, like his contemporary Bob Dylan whom he followed in moving from acoustic folk to folk rock, started out wanting to be the king of the hill among male folk singers but he certainly had some things going for him. A fair to middling acoustic guitar but a very interesting and mournful voice in the early acoustic days.

Moreover, Jesse set himself, more than others of the time, to speak to urban concerns and longings. I can remember being mesmerized by the effect of Four In The Morning (usually listening to it at that time, as well). Or the longing behind Suzanne and Black Eyed Susan. Or the late night whiff of whiskey in the air (Yes, I know we were underage at the time but let us let that pass) with the forgetfulness of Rye Whiskey. Yes, there were some tools and talent there. People may be more familiar with the latter electric rock material of the Youngbloods day but give a listen to Jesse, back in the day.

this album is one of my very best favorites, second only to youngblood. jesse's voice is so pure, his guitar so haunting.
i have all but one of jesse's albums and would love to have all of them on cds. to the true fans of jesse colin young--you know
the name in my title.......don't you?