Customer Reviews

Who The Hell Is John Eddie?

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This latest album from veteran New Jersey rocker, John Eddie, is quite clearly his best work and is the cumulative product of years of great highs, desperate lows, and "steady jobs" as a singer/songwriter in the often unforgiving music industry. Eddie's music has a rare honesty about it. There is no hype. And there is no pretense. He has you laughing along with him as he laughs at himself (Forty) and makes you feel each empty mile and each lonely hour which separates a man who has spent too long on the road away from the love who he hopes still waits for him at home (If You're Here When I Get Back). His songs often hauntingly reach that emotional level where you feel you yourself have hung in the balance before. You find yourself identifying with the heart of the man left behind by his lover amid a box of letters which he cannot yet read because "it's been too soon" (Everything). Each song has its key line, which stops you in your tracks and gives you pause to think deeply, a talent Eddie has perfected. As an entertainer, Eddie is unparalleled in his electrifying, dynamic performances, and while it is true that to see him live is to become and instant, and perhaps faithful fan, this album brings forth the essence of the live performance in many of the tracks owing in large part to the precision guitars (PK Lavengood) and the unmistakable drums (Kenny Arnonoff). Although fans may feel that the music has changed since his earlier works, they will find it has evolved in a way which seems to reflect a long road of self discovery and experience, and mirror more of the man he is. All of this serves to capture on disc the honesty, depth, vulnerability, seasoned edge, sense of humor, and boyish charm that is John Eddie. No one will be disappointed.

Keith Moerer is dead wrong with his review of John Eddie's Who the Hell Is John Eddie? Moerer is the type of person that eats fast food, while driving a fast rented car, to a fast date, with fast and superficial conversation, followed by fast, probably way to fast, sex. Maybe John Eddie has taken some hard knocks. Maybe that's the reason for this recording's character. Moerer couldn't understand, he never made it to the first bonus track after 12. He rushed through his one time listen on a Sunday night... half asleep in front of an old Mickey Mouse cartoon. If Bruce Springsteen wrote "Low Life" Moerer would call it sociologically challenging... an attempt to shine light on our troubled society." After all it's what he would think he was supposed to write. Moerer calls "Forty" "an older guys lament that doubles as an insult to his even older friends." Makes me wonder how old Moerer is, or if he's paid attention while his life was making a statement. Moerer's a not so competent online critic who spends his time mugging an artist that has made a record that will stand the test of time. Of course Moerer knows little about time.

I don't buy cds because generally there are only one or two really solid songs on them. I heard this song from John Eddie on the radio when I was in San Diego and I loved it, but had no intention of buying it because I was sure the song I heard on the radio would be the only good thing on it. I was wrong. After listening to a friend rave about him live, I decided throw caution and $... to the wind and take a chance. From beginning to end this cd is filled with one song after another that is intelligent, hooky, humorous and makes you want to learn every lyric and sing a long. I don't know where he came from, but thank god there are still artists out there who care enough to put out a solid album, not just 2 or 3 good songs. My new favorite cd "Who The Hell is John Eddie".

We saw John for the first time in Reno, NV and did indeed ask "who the hell is this guy?" We enjoyed his performance so much that we asked about purchasing the songs he performed. Although this CD was due out November 2002, it was definitely worth the wait. I agree with the customer reviewer who stated that the Amazon reviewer doesn't "get" John's sense of humor. All the songs touch you in some way if you really listen. This is my new favorite CD too!! If you can find him on the West Coast by all means see him and definitely buy this CD.

Much like The Ramones, John Eddie is appreciated only by his fans. Also like The Ramones, John Eddie will be appreciated long after he is gone. And also like The Ramones, John is far too talented for his own good.

With all the homogenized radio stations across the country, it's a shame that a lot of this album isn't getting the airplay it deserves.

His newest album is a creative mix of songs. In an attempt to cross over, he's sprinkled in some country tunes along with some genuinely fun rockers.

Those who dislike "Let Me Down Hard" will learn to appreciate it when their hearts are broken a time or two in the near future. If you don't care for it, you just can't relate. Check back when you can.

Forty isn't a radio track. That's part of the joke. Sorry if some of the others don't get that joke. It's still funny and as he said live, "This song could go on forever." Hope it does, John. I hope it does.

As a live act, there is none better. Saw him this past Friday in Chicago and left after his set. There was no need to see Southside Johnny. I'd already seen the talent.

John Eddie's work is F-U-N. He has obvious fun performing it. He has obvious fun recording it. You will have fun listening to it. His live album is still his best, but as a studio album, this is a whole heck of a lot of FUN. The hidden tracks are great and deserve airplay.

For those of you keeping score.... he's lying. He's 44. (New lyric.)

I know who the hell is John Eddie. Pity more people don't. They should.

Over the years I remember seeing his name around some of the South Jersey clubs and now that I have listened to his new CD I find that I want to see him in person. The first song I heard which prompted me to buy the CD was "Let me down hard". After the first time I heard it I place a pre-order. I listen to a lot of music and buy a lot and spent 18 years on the road back in the 60's 70's and half of the 80's with recording artists. This guy has a real clue to not only song writting, yes with a bit of an attitude and some personal experiences thrown in. As a Jersey kid myself I think he will get better as he ages with a real record label that lets him be himself and lets him play his music. So who cares if he is older than "40" it's a fun song with a bite especially for those over 40. The best thing he can do is not lose his belief in himself and move on to better things outside of the the Jersey club scene but never forget where he came from.This is an CD I will play a lot. It sounds great and I can't find any song I really dislike. By the way I have no connection to this guy nor have I written any reviews on any other CD's ever. This guy just needs a chance to heard and get out there. He IS good, so get this CD and enjoy. If you like Steve Earle, Jackson Brown, Tom Waites, Bruce, Richard Thompson you will like John Eddie whoever the hell he is.

After first seeing John Eddie televised on the Red Bank Concert for 9/11, I asked myself "Where the hell is John Eddie?" I was very happy to learn he has a new CD out and that I could see him at the Stone Pony on the Fourth of July. What a show!!! I discovered that he has a loyal following and became an instant member. I love his sense of humor and, yes, I am over forty. I bought two of his CDs and probably will be looking for more although I think his latest will remain my favorite. Crank up the volume and sing or dance along; just can't stand still to some of those tunes. Very thought provoking lyrics coupled with an irreverent sense of humor as well as rock with more than a country twang make this collection a bit eclectic. My only surprise in reading some of these reviews is that his music doesn't strike a chord with everyone. Who the hell are these people who don't like John Eddie?

I've been listening to John for a long time now. His teenage angst hasn't ever changed. But there is clearly some lyrical content on this album that is far more mature than before. The reviewer doesn't understand the humor that John has when he cuts his nose to spite his face. John's had it hard, anyone who's heard him interviewed knows that. Despite that, his songs show a depth of humor that is unusual and touches the inner soul of anyone who's ever struggled to make it. Thoreau once wrote that all men live a life of quiet desperation. John puts that desperation to music. He makes the desperation just a little less lonely. Great album!

I recently went to see John Hiatt at Irving Plaza in New York. Not expecting a warm up band, This person named John Eddie came on stage. Who The Hell is John Eddie? Well I found out. Very rarely does a warm up group catch the attention of people waiting to see the headliner. John Eddie had the crowd laughing and singing almost instantly. Not bad for not knowing any of his songs. Could'nt wait to buy His new CD. "Let me Down Hard" is a great love song with a twist. "Family Tree" is a very funny song. "Low Life" is very funny. If this song offends, maybe it hits too close to home. Being over ...forty, "Forty" really hits a nerve, a very funny one. If this song bothers you, take the stick out of your butt. This song does contain the "F" word many times, but in a humorous way not a rapper way. "Play Some Skynyrd" All loud mouthes should listen up. Track 12 has two hidden songs, Love them all. Buy this CD, It's worth it. PS John Hiatt was Awesome, Buy his new CD as well.

Ok..I confess. I was a John Eddie groupie (wannabe) in the 80's. I followed him to bars that no one should really be caught dead in so I understand where Play Some Skynrd comes from.

That being said, the album is....interesting. It was a lot more laid back than I had remembered his music. Those of you who have heard his earlier stuff, I was expecting more along the lines of "Swear" or "Santina". It was still a roller coaster ride though. I cried through "The Place You Go" and howled with laughter at "F'ing 40." Critics say that he's making fun his friends who are older, I suspect it's more that he's making fun of himself and everyone else who goes through the "Oh geez, I'm Forty" Syndrome. Some of the songs were unremarkable ("Let Me Down Hard"), some made me cringe ("Low Life"), some of them I'll end up singing to myself a lot ("Jesus is Coming","F'ing 40"). For "The Faithful", it's a whole different John Eddie. Still and all, it's a fun album to listen to.