| Stones - Jon Michaels | |
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Reviewed by Kathy Coleman
Jon Michaels presents here on his album Stones some of the most poignant and
beautiful music I've heard in a long time. Coming at country in the tradition of a Jim Reeves or
an Eddy Arnold, Jon Michaels caresses music tenderly, but with affection and true delight as
both singer and songwriter, amply demonstrating his skill with a good ear, a little humor, and a
lot of pure joy in the music.
The album Stones was recorded live at Douglas Corner Caf‚ on January 27, 2001, and a
marvelous CD it is. Michaels is not a hardcore country singer. His style is very countrypolitan; his style is strong, his vocals excellent. Smooth as his songs are, he's not afraid to swing it, as well; he pulls in his audience immediately with the infectious "Check Please" (written with Paul Jefferson, who also assists with "Miss Fannie" and "Hello, My Old Friend"), but you find you have to stay as you are drawn into the sharp lyrics. Michaels proves to be a superior songwriter, as shown in "The Gift of Forgiveness" (written with Jimbeau Hinson) with
an opening verse of "I wore my anger like an armor 'cause I thought it made me stronger, but the angrier the weaker I became, when I finally let go of it, once I chose to rise above it, I found my anger was the source of all my pain." His humor shows in the delightful swing tune, "'I' Would
Be Next To 'U'" (written with Wood Newton) which is just pure fun. His tenderness is revealed in the song for his friend, the lovely "Miss Fannie," as a tribute to a Mrs. Fannie Williams, whom he met while assisting Meals on Wheels. He continues to shows these poignant qualities in such powerful tunes as "Hello My Old Friend."
Recording an album live has pros and cons; occasionally you can run into muddy sound or an "off" night for the band; however, the pros often outweigh those cons. When you get an "on" night, there is very little that can be better than a live recording. In a live recording you can
capture the way a singer really sings not to mention the tightness of a band all playing together, catching how each other is playing or singing or feeling. There is a sharp harmony in a recording when all the instruments and singers are together that is frequently missing in studio
sessions where you can't get that give-and-take as all the tracks are recorded separately, sometimes days apart.
This album is rich and real, deeply emotional and powerfully delivered. Jon's vocals are strong and the playing is superior. This is an album that's simply delightful to listen to, with wonderful liner notes to read, and all around entertaining.
Song List:
Album cover, used with permission of Jon Michaels.