Jerry Joseph
Everything Was Beautiful
Ulftone UTCD 016

by Al Kunz

Jackmormon (jak' môr' mon) n. ­ A baptized, but non-practicing, member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints (also known as the Mormon Church).

God and Sex, Sex and God; She'll eat her words like a billy goat eats a hat.
--from the liner notes of Everything Was Beautiful

Jerry Joseph decided to record this release without his band the Jackmormons and in the process has gotten religion. Okay, I don't really know that. However virtually all the tracks on this disc use religious imagery to help convey the message of the songs as in the closing track "Beautiful Child of God".

Her guardian angels follow her 'round
Through moments of silence and the rough parts of town
Her guardian angels hover above
Sit on her shoulders, shower her with love
Now when she crawls through the darkness
She knows she's not in there alone

Reported to have been recorded without the Jackmormons for the freedom to explore a more acoustic approach Joseph is provided musical assistance by producer and multi-instrumentalist Pete Droge, fellow Oregonian Caleb Klauder, and bassist Dave Hull; who has worked with artists as diverse as Sheryl Crow, Aerosmith, and Love. This more acoustic approach doesn't prevent Joseph from rocking on my favorite cut "You Again". A hybrid of a 50's rock feel and a more contemporary alt-country sound this song showcases Paul Brainard on steel guitar. Everytime this plays I find myself dancing in the chair.

I turn around and what I see
It's you again, following me
Everytime I try to hide
You end up baby right by my side again
You again, you again

Fans of Canadian Fred Eaglesmith should purchase this disc, if for no other reason than to hear "Mountain Home". To my ears this tune sounds so much like Fred that I've got to check the CD deck every time it plays.

I pull another story, right off of story hill
I pull a piece of something, I paid some kids to kill
I've got old testaments, they're all I need to know
I've got a burning bush, I've got a glory road

"Both of You" and opening track "Good Sunday" would fit well on the playlist of alternative rock or adult contemporary radio stations.

Sir Richard Burton transcribes the Kama Sutra, proving that I lack
Patience
So I'll bury my resentments here along the river, it's my
Best defense
And Warren says we can all be Jimi Hendrix we're just
Frightened of the truth

Applying labels such as rock, punk, or country to music, while sometimes necessary to describe the music, can be confining. One reference describes Everything Was Beautiful as New Age. While not conforming to my definition of New Age, it does combine elements of several genres into a sound that is both unique and contemporary.

Everything Was Beautiful can be purchased from the usual interenet outlets. Fans of Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons will be glad to know that a new release is scheduled for a spring 2002 release. For more about Jerry Joseph, with or without the Jackmormons, check out his excellent web site at www.jerryjoseph.com

Contact Al Kunz at kunz-at-rockzilla.net

 
Read Rockzilla's Guestbook
Sign Rockzilla's Guestbook