Customer Reviews

A View From 3rd Street

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A View From 3rd Street is proof (for anyone who still needs it) that lots of great music never gets on the radio. Though Jude scored a minor radio hit in 1992 with TELL THE TRUTH, this album could have spawned numerous hits, perhaps all 10 songs. I can't think of any rock/pop hits that exceed the power and hook of TIME FOR LETTING GO (the best song on here), HALLOWED GROUND (the moody, excellent leadoff song) BABY IT'S TONIGHT (upbeat) or the heartfelt, slower ballad COMPARED TO NOTHING. No, the lyrics aren't deep, they're mostly about problematic relationships, breaking up, and lost love (isn't that what ALL the best top 40 stuff is?) But Cole demonstrates mastery of the 4 minute single format here (he would branch out and experiment more on Start the Car and then A LOT more on the commercially-fatal I Don't Know Why I Act This Way) He has a great voice, great guitar riffs, and the tunes will stay with you a long time after you hear them. The album ends on a hopeful note with PROVE ME WRONG and includes a gospel tinge with GET ME THROUGH THE NIGHT. If you've missed it this long, don't delay another day.

Jude Cole is one of those artists I have loved but I've tended to sort of forget about until the next rare time I would hear "Baby It's Tonight" on the radio. The most recent occasion of hearing that song a couple of weeks ago, however, motivated me to get online and look for this CD "A View From 3rd Street" and I will NEVER forget about Jude Cole again.

Like everyone else who first established themselves in the very-late 80s and early-90s, Cole's style became a victim of the depression and angst-filled decade following the advent of Nirvana et al. Cole sings a lot about breakups and heartbreaks, which aren't the happiest feelings themselves, but he takes a more upbeat musical approach to the subjects. "Baby It's Tonight" was one of my favorite songs in junior high and I'm glad I've rediscovered "House Full of Reasons" and "Time for Letting Go", both of which I recognized immediately upon hearing despite having heard them even LESS than "Baby It's Tonight" over the years. That often doesn't happen with a lot of songs. But this CD also contains awesome undiscovered stuff like "Heart of Blues".

Little can be said about the talent of Jude Cole that hasn't been said or discovered by fans of this unique and incredible artist, but the preceding has just been my take.

It's too bad Jude's radio reputation put him in the "adult contemporary" or "soft rock" category, it's very misleading. And that's really limited his exposure to people who would love his material--this guy is no syrupy Richard Marx clone. Sure, Jude has an amazing knack for writing catchy tunes with pop hooks, but he's a good ole fashioned rock guitarist and it shows in the music. Plus, he's one great lyricist. You will find at least one song (at least) on each album that somehow speaks to you. "3rd St" leans a bit more to the pop side than his edgier "Start the Car"(which alas, is out of print but easily available on most used CD sites on the web--if you're musical tastes are a bit more on the rock side, you MUST go out and get a copy of Start the Car), but, on only his second album, he's got wonderful layered arrangements that end up providing a great counterpoint to the basic pop essence on certain songs. You won't get tired of this album anytime soon--it's timeless.

Jude Cole is an amazing performer. From the first time I heard the first few riffs of "Baby, It's Tonight" on the radio, I was in love. _A View From Third Street_ is one of those CDs you will memorize. You will sing along to every verse of every song at the top of your lungs in your car.

There is a reason Jude Cole is respected the way he is throughout the musical community. There is a reason why new artists such as Lifehouse are collaborating and recording in his studio. He's a writer, producer, singer, and plays multiple instruments. His work goes greatly underappreciated and under-recognized.

Buy this CD -- you won't be disappointed.

This album takes me back to 1990, and of the big hair 80s, and a time of youth and innocence being lost. At the time I lived on a "3rd Street" and went through a tumultuous break-up with the love of my life and college sweetheart. Among all the very dated hair metal and other bands clogging the airwaves I heard "Baby It's Tonight" and bought this album the same day without knowing anything about Jude Cole. Maybe the album didn't save my life per se, but it saved my heart, and heartache. The album is a bit of a break-up album, but it's not done with cliches, just straight up emotional honest feelings with amazing production and great senses of mood. Unlike the metal bands and the other cheese of the end of the 80s, I can still pop this CD in and it's fresh as the day I bought it. Actually I'm on my second CD, I actually wore the first out, it's that good and worth repeated and repeated listens.

I then had the distinct pleasure of emailing, and getting a reply from Jude Cole, "The Man," himself in the mid 90s. I expressed what his album had meant to me and he sent back an equally heartfelt thanks... he's every bit the great guy that comes across on this album.

Everyone should have this CD in their collection who loves music, has had some type of heartache or longing, and is passionate about music. Amazon doesn't havhe a high enough rating for this album. Buy it today.

Embarking on a solo career in 1987, Jude Cole released his self-titled solo debut on Reprise Records. While his debut was mostly overlooked by critics and fans alike; Jude's sophomore release, A View from 3rd Street [Reprise Records], faired much better. It received critical acclaim and was openly embraced by adoring fans. Unfortunately, this was the apex of Jude's solo career. His subsequent releases failed to spark interest and have gone mostly ignored.

Since 3rd Street's release, Jude has put out three more solo records. Start the Car was released in 1992. It spawned two moderate hits with "Start the Car" and "Tell the Truth." His next release came in 1995 with I Don't Know Why I Act This Way, released on Island Records. His final release as a solo artist came in 2000 with Falling Home, released independently on CDX Records.

A View from 3rd Street is easily Jude's most prominent foray into popular music. Its bluesy-rock appeal engaged fans and garnered radio support. "Baby, It's Tonight," "Time for Letting Go" and "House Full of Reasons" all made an impact on the charts. "Baby, It's Tonight" reached the Top 20 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart in Spring, 1990. In addition to the hits, other notable tracks include: "Compared to Nothing," "Prove Me Wrong" and "Hallowed Ground."

It's no denying that Jude Cole's influences are strongly rooted in blues and folk-rock music. These influences are enhanced by the production crew and contributing musicians. Dave Tyson produced the set. He was the driving force behind production for Alannah Myles self-titled 1989 debut album which spawned the number one hit, "Black Velvet." Additionally, Jeff Porcaro (of Toto) contributed on drums to "Compared to Nothing" and Pat Mastelotto (of King Crimson) contributed on drums and percussion.

Jude Cole's most recent contribution to music has been through songwriting. His credits can be seen on the most recent hit for Lifehouse, "You & Me." He co-authored the track with the band's lead singer, Jason Wade.

I discovered Jude Cole by browsing in a music store. Album covers and titles along with the names of the songs can lead one into a catastrophy or into a mind warping sense of joy. With "Start the Car", I had the latter. When he came out with "I Don't Know Why I Act This Way" I was astounded. But "A View From Third Street" was an enrapturing experience.
Songs like "Hallowed Ground" & "Baby It's Tonight" will drive you to high speeds in your car. "House Full of Reasons" shows a true knack for storytelling. In fact there is not a bad tune on the album. But if you truely want to know what music is about, you will fall for "Heart of Blues". This is one of the finest blues tunes I have ever had the pleasure of singing along with.
Unfortunately, his fourth album, "Falling Home" falls flat on the floor. It is a dud which cannot be redeemed without going back to what he does best - writing songs like he did for his first three albums.
PS: If you like this guy, give a listen to Tom Kimmel, another unknown whoose music will move your soul.

When you buy this CD, and if youre intelligent, theres no doubt you will, go straight to track number 3-House full of reasons, and just JAM! Every other song is just as fantastic! Read what others have said, because every single word of it is true. Jude does virtually all of his own writing, composing, and vocals. He shows an amazing amount of ability in every song he makes. And now, thank goodness!, he has a new release out that I am making part of my collection too. Once you get your first taste of Jude Cole, you wont be satisfied until you have every single one of his CD's, and you will be very pleased you have them. Dont walk, RUN, and get this album, and PLEASE, spread the word about this wonderful artist who never gets his just due.

This CD is one of my all time favorites(probably 3rd to Survivor's "Vital Signs" and Bad Company's "Here Comes Trouble"). This is by far one of the best CD's in the 90's. I have 3 of the 4 CD's by Jude Cole("A View From 3rd Street", "Start the Car", and "I Don't Know Why I Act This Way"). The only one I don't have is his first self-titled CD. I've been trying to find this CD, but so far unlucky because it has been out of print for a long time now. I found out "Start the Car" is also out of print. I have seen copies(mostly used) at Record and Tape Traders which is a local music in the Baltimore, MD area. I'm sure if you look in second hand music stores, you should be able to locate this CD. Good luck!!

Have you ever bought a CD based on someone else's opinion, listened to it, then quietly stacked it away? You wont with this one, i guarantee it. I have every Jude Cole CD, and as this was my first, it is still my favorite. The music on this CD is downright soulfull. Each song evokes emotions and memories long forgotten. You can also hear his innocence implode onto each song. I think Jude Cole is a gift to the music scene and your dollars would be well spent on any CD of his. I rated this CD 5 stars, but would have happily given it 6 or 7!