JACKALOPE JUNCTION
Just Drive (Shadow Brook Records)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

---

This is the second effort by these Long Island, NY based county-rockers, and if a country-rock band from Long Island sounds unlikely to you it must be unimaginable to the major labels, who should have long since scooped this band up, if only to get a shot at some of guitarist/ vocalist Dave Issacs' publishing action. Isaacs is a terrific songwriter and he's assembled a terrific sextet to perform his songs.

Isaacs shares vocal duties with Catherine Miles and bassist/vocalist Debbie Novak, and in the process demonstrates and ability to write as effectively for a woman's voice as for his own. That in itself is a talent rare enough to deserve notice. The band is rounded out with the instrumental contributions of keyboardist Paul "Piano Dog" Silverman, drummer Paul Viole and acoustic guitarist Jay Mafale.

This is classic country-rock in the tradition of Poco and Gram Parsons, with material that could stand beside some of the memorable contributions of their forbears.

Track List:

This Is Me * Just Drive * Ain't Gonna Lift You Up (To Drag Nobody Down) * I'll Keep You Warm * The Best Is Yet To Come * Good As Gone * Sheila * Loving Him Less * Jewel * By Heart

© 2002 - Shaun Dale

[Pick this up at amazon.com.]