skip to main |
skip to sidebar
I hadn't listened to any Jimmy Cliff for a few years, save for some of the classics, but hadn't turned up a full album. This recording starts out with such gusto and such a heavy amount of energy that I have listened to it over and over since picking it up. Working with punk musician (Rancid) and sometimes-producer Tim Armstrong, seems to have really helped turn this album back to a root origin. In fact, the song Reggae Music he unfolds a history of his own path, starting way back in the 60's with Leslie Kong, recording songs "in the style of ska". This song kind of sets the mood for the entire 46-minute ride.
This new release for one of the pioneering voices from Jamaica seems to really open up a lot of old doors, conjuring up memories of the ska sounds of the past, the styling of which he started with. It's a similar production style as T-Bone Burnett did with BB King's hugely successful One Kind Favor album from 2008 where Burnett basically had BB revert back to his single-amp reverb sound of the 50's. And Cliff nails it here, what an amazing way to pay homage to your humble upbringing by digging up that "old sound" and putting new life to it. The old-school style of horn-heavy, skankable ska really shines on this. A few slower-paced reggae songs thrown in mix it up for your aural pleasure. All in all, this Rebirth of Jimmy's is exactly what the doctor ordered, this is 5 stars!
I got my first taste of these guys as my children flipped through the "pop music" channels and I was instantly mesmerized by the way they sounded. It wasn't until months later I decided to purchase the whole album and am very glad I did. The minimal packaging and lower price suggested I was going to receive something bare-boned, suggested I would receive actual music, not over-produced pop crap. I love it when I gamble on an album and it deals me a 21. Bam!
Second track in "Classy Girls" is a lilting, listing, lifting piano-infused building track- a jumping party filled with fun lyrics. The song "Dead Sea" is another great tune which well represents the great melting-pot mixture of genres including alt-country (I hear some Ryan Bingham in here), folk-rock (definitely some Bob Dylan happening) and even a hint of Steve Earle chimes in. A sometimes gravelly voice, yet thrillingly harmonious.
Their wildly popular "Ho Hey" comes in at track 5 and will definitely have you singing along to this wonderfully crafted tune. Plinking banjo, strumming guitar, humming cello and a hand-clap beat will surely put a smile on your face. "Stubborn Love" with its' violin providing pleasant sounds sliding through my speakers while a driving drum beat churns up the air has really got my feet stomping- makes me think of what might happen in a pub in Dublin. I am definitely very well pleased with this album, a true collection of Americana and a boastful production of many instruments, pure enjoyment. Wonderful!
