Ken Jameson: others thoughts

Ken Jameson's debut solo CD, "It's Your Life, is a dynamic blend of pop & rock melding with jazz & funk. Ken Jameson's music is fresh and funky, showcasing his sharp wit and extensive musical talents. There is also an art gallery featuring Ken Jameson's computer generated atrwork and his always interesting blogs.

You may recognize Ken from the popular Howl at the Moon Saloon as one of the pianists who specialize in high energy, off the cuff, improvisational piano and vocal performance. now you are going to have the chance to get to know the other side of this amazing artist. A School of Music grad at the University of Miami, he has played all over the place with How. His travels gave him the opportunity to record his debut CD in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina blew him back to Florida where you can see him weekly at the Orlando Howl at the Moon location.

Ken Jameson is not in this business to monkey around. The cover of his new CD It's Your Life may imply that but it is simply not the case.

Jameson makes his way through fourteen tracks, some lighthearted and others more serious, that are full of rock-pop melodies and rhythms furnished by his keyboard and vocal talents. He plays piano, the Hammond B3, and a Rhodes to get all of the sounds to merge within each composition. His lyrics fit nicely between the music he creates with the combination of keyboards, programming, and help from various capable musicians that play guitar, bass, percussion, and saxophone. This mix of various instruments coupled with Jameson's pleasant vocal style makes for an enjoyable CD with a nice variety of styles, from the upbeat rock-pop opener "It's Your Life" to the bluesy and funky "One More Thing."

The other factor besides good music is lyrics that make sense. They are simple and direct, and what do you know, you can actually understand what he is singing! This is actually a rarity these days, as I am sure you have noticed if you listen to as many types of music as I do. Jameson is a serious musician that looks at the lighter side of every day domestic life like on the songs "Minivan," which is a humorous take on a guy with a family looking for past freedoms that are long gone. He knows someday he will have his own car again and the ability to jump in and go for cruise will be easy and without worry when the kids are all grown and on their own. Anyone with kids can understand this viewpoint, but then again when you listen to "My Son," it becomes obvious just how important family is. Then there are the warm heartrending songs like "She's My Lady" and "I'll Give It To You." These tracks are pleasing in a musical sense but also hit the soft spot in your heart just right.

Ken Jameson sounds like a regular guy that happens to have extraordinary talents illustrated quite well on this CD. This was a lot of fun to listen to and I enjoyed all the aspects that made it what it is.

This is a review of the Hurricane Katrina Musicians Relief CD, "From the Lone Star to the Gulf Coast"--Full of inspired playing "

Before Katrina hit New Orleans, many fled to Texas. The musicians among them were taken on board by the Texan music family. As a result, this CD contains sixteen tracks by fourteen acts, eight from New Orleans and six from Texas. Although unknown, these artists have, apart from much experience, talent too. Label owner/piano player John Autin discovered and produced both new Orleanians Anders Osborne and Theresa Andersson, whereas Rockin’ Jake has been a well-established name in the Mississippi delta for ten years. Many others combine playing for others with their own music, which is audibly more to them than work. Full of inspired playing this tribute cd reflects the versatility of New Orleans well. In the opener Autin pairs bouncing piano funk to his emotional impressions of the disaster and pulls you straight into the French Quarter. After that B & The Buzz prove that old style jazz still is exuberanty alive there. Then a tense songs follows that breathes Warren Zevon’s spirit, but there is also swing, country blues and heartfelt gospel. Unexpectedly modern influences are present in Greg Finsley’s To Fall In Love, which is strongly related to British eigthies band XTC , but there is zydeco too, KEN JAMESON’S LANGUIDLY FUNKING BOLERO WITH DITTO HORNS AND SOUTHERN BLUES. With Dennis Cavalier the distance between Dallas and New Orleans fades, both in his stylish but humoristic homage to Professor Longhair and in the funking New Orleans Rising. That way this CD becomes a real must, also because fifteen dollars per copy will be donated to Tipitina’s Foundation, which supports musicians financially. (three and a half out of five stars) Ruud Heijjer - www.popmagazineheaven.nl