JERRY JOSEPH & THE JACKMORMONS
Conscious Contact (Terminus)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Jerry Joseph goes on my personal heroes list if for no other reason than his pure and simple description of his recovery from a drug addiction that disrupted his career and nearly destroyed his life. "I'm on a three step program," he declares. "Get clean, stay clean, and don't be a sanctimonious prick about it." There's a lesson there that many formerly dissipated, now, well, sanctimonious rockers could benefit from.

Happily, his program seems to be working. He's put together a tight three piece band (Joseph's guitar and vocals are augmented by Junior Ruppel on bass and Brad Rosen on drums), got himself a deal with a fine label, and has written a new stack of great songs.

The trio has enlisted some all-star support for their first Terminus Records release, including keyboardists Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton) and Randall Bramblett (Traffic), David Barbe on guitar (the former Sugar bassist also engineered) and vocal support from Vic Chestnut.

No matter who helped, though, it all comes down to great songs and the high energy of a band that can knock a crowd out with no help at all. It's a tough marketplace even for music this good, but this one could be a breakthrough for Joseph and the Jackmormons. It should be. Either way, though, you shouldn't miss it.

Track List:

Coliseum * The Kind Of Place * Ching-A-Ling * Conscious Contact * Pure Life * The Fastest Horse In Town * Ten Killer Fairies * Little Boo's Fireworks * Muscle * Prince Of Denmark * Your Glass Eye * Easter

© 2003 - Shaun Dale