Jefferson Jay
Great Story
© 2004 Jefferson Jay (751937255321)
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Jefferson Jay's debut release blends funk, rock, reggae, jazz, and the bizarre in a concept about the perilous future of our global society.
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The "Great Story" is a concept album in the spirit of those Jay holds in the highest esteem, Pink Floyd's "Animals" and "The Wall," Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," and John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme," to name a few. The songs are often extended, enhanced by many of San Diego's most gifted musicians (listed below). The tunes range in style dramatically. A brief synopsis of the 11 songs on the CD, both stylistically and thematically, follows below.
Track 1, Great Story features a reggae feel with a ska change. It provides an overview of the whole story, a story of America in the future if things continue as they are right now.
Track 2, Running Out of Time is the most mesmerizing and hip-hop-influenced groove on the record, It tells an action story that parallels the events of the "Great Story."
Track 3, Dragonbreath is a triumphant and introspective song with a blues change and a gospel feel. "Dragonberath" calls for personal accountability and communal responsibility. It is also and affirmation of faith, culminating with the picturesque call to action, "Your world, it's you it needs, so like a dragon, breathe."
Track 4, Molasses Man is by far the most Zappa reminiscent song on the "Great Story." This is according to many people, including Great Story mastering engineer John Golden who worked with Frank Zappa himself in Zappa's studio. Molasses Man is an anthem for procrastination.
Track 5, Rex the Tune is a tribute to nature and the inspiration that the river, the mountains, the sunset, a fire and ultimately a reunion with God provides us with daily. Rex the Tune is a funky, bass-driven groove and also provides an arc over the entire concept, in the same manner that the title track does.
Track 6, BRAINjam, is a 10 minute extended funk jam with wild and vivid imagery throughout the lyrics and a dramatic and final conclusion. Cheetahs, lions, gnomes, skeletons, and wizards wind through the dark hallways within a human mind before sprouting wings and arriving at the ultimate destination.
Track 7, Love Won't Hold Back is a soft jazz ballad and the love theme of the "Great Story". Sung with a guitar on the beach in the aftermath of ecstacial bliss, the story's hero serenades the woman who he is in love with just before the story's two heroes arrive at the pivotal moment of their life together.
Track 8, Shhhh... is probably the hardest tune to describe on the album musically because it is unlike anything else. "Shhhh..." is Jefferson Jay at his most original and thriving. The mantra, "I know I like to ride my bike right into the bushes" is a comment about the blatant trouble people often compulsively seek. Within the context of the album it is a conversation between two people from different parts of the world meeting and establishing common ground,
Track 9, Simple Song is a long, slow funk jam, the continuation (after a good night's sleep) of the conversation in "Shhhh..." This explosive song is set in a teach-in that grows exponentially. The harmonica solo by Richie Blue is unquestionably one of the album's musical high points. It is transcendent and one of the finest harmonica solos available anywhere, a climactic moment that punctuates the album perfectly.
Track 10, Wooden Boats, is a story about the way things once were. Wooden boats became largely obsolete yet they were arguably far superior and certainly more organic than the litany of plastic boats that replaced them. Wooden Boats is soft like the calm at the center of the sea with heavier changes that crash decks like violent wave. Another of the album's most unique compositions, a classical guitar solo and ringing trumpets take the listener back.
Track 11, Love Song 64 is a metal song with two powerful funky changes. The album's final song is its second love song, but it is anything but a ballad. It is by far the heaviest song on the "Great Story." Musically, the farewell is a raging duel guitar solo panned hard left and right. Lyrically, "I love you," are the last words that ring as the story ends.
Jefferson Jay - Vocals, Guitars - Tracks 1-11 - Belly - Track 6 - Keys - Track 8
Damon Stoll - Bass - Tracks 1-11
Phillip Palmejar - Drums - Tracks 1-6 and 8-11
Jane Lui - Vocals - Tracks 1-3 and 7
Kevin "Baby" Hewett - Keyboards - Track 1
Conga Mas - Congas - Tracks 1, 4, 6 and 8-11 - Vocals - Tracks 3 and 9
Simeon Flick - Lead Guitar - Tracks 1, 7-9 and 11
Sir Peter Nairn - Tracks 2, 3 and 7
Soul Man - Guiro - Tracks 2-5 and 9 - Shaker - Tracks 7 and 10
Carlos Vasquez - Drums - Track 7
Mark Cavanugh - Congas - Track 2 - Tambourine - Track 3 - Vocals - Tracks 2 and 3
Pete Kelly - Lead Guitar - Tracks 5, 6 and 11
Richie Blue - Harmonica - Tracks 6 and 9
Johnny Ciccolella - Keyboards - Tracks 3, 7, 9 and 10 - Flamenco Guitars - Track 10
Isaac Tubb - Trumpets - Track 10
Produced by Jefferson Jay
All songs written by Jefferson Jay except "Running Out of Time" by Jefferson Jay/Peter Nairn
reviews
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Fabulous Debut!!! Jefferson Jay and the Great Story are Superb!!!
author: Brian Temple, Southern California Music ReviewThe Great Story blew me away. Funky and fun, deep and eclectic, Jay strikes gold again and again in this masterpiece. Highly recommended for anyone who's ever answered "everything" when asked what kind of music they enjoy. Jay's ambitious work is truly a "great" acheivement. I encourge you all to enjoy it.
Instrumental Coolness
author: Geoffery HealeyI happened across this CD from a friend. I'm a jazz guy for the most part but occasionally listen to jazz and blues. I used to thing I was a pretty good harmonica player as well. Until I listened to Richie Blue, the guest Harmonica player on this album. My friend told me to listen to the harp player on this CD. At first I was like, yeah .. whatever. But damn! This Richie Blue only played on two songs but I'f your a harmonica player, I suggest making the investment in this CD. Ricie Blue is the freshest new harmonica sound I've heard in many years. He's got a ragging tone and chops that are out of this world. As a whole I thought the songs were to long, but the concept of the tunes are great and the instrumentation is cool.
What if....
author: Van GoI saw this band play live in Oregon 2 summers ago. When Jay came on stage I remember thinking who in the @#%$ is this guy? I thought if Geddy Lee, Frank Zappa, and Ethel Merman had a 3-way and weren't concerned about birth-control, Jay would be the resulting off-spring. If this description sounds bad to you, don't buy the CD. However, if you have a jones for innovative music and alarming vocals, buy this CD immediately.
A perfect companion for my solo trek through Europe
author: Lucinda BaronI picked up this CD in a coffee house in Paris. When I walked in they were playing it over their sound system and "Dragonbreath" was on. I was immediately taken by the lyrics and melody and asked if they had a copy for sale. The girl at the counter said that the Great Story was playing at bars and cafes all over France and after listening to it constantly for 3 weeks I wasn't surprised. This is a must for anyone's collection! The lyrics, vocals and Jefferson's arrangement unfold vibrantly with every play. It's now in my car's CD player and I'm still loving it!
This CD is a must
author: Jordan MarkThis CD is a must, this is truly a fantastic CD, and it clearly shows the best of Jefferson Jay's Music, and the one of kind unique style that is created from none other than this top number one artist of the year. Three of my favorite songs that I find myself playing over, and over again on this CD are Molasses Man, Running Out Of Time, and Love Song, and then of course Jefferson's talent really shows and stands out with his writing and performance on every song, I give him 5 Stars. Jordan Mark
Thought-provoking jams with incredible instrumentation. Catchy lyrics, haunting
author: Faunia SugarbakerI really like the solos and the variety of song styles. I believe this to be one of the best 1st releases I've heard in a long time. When do we get to hear "Shhhhh" on the airwaves?