Audio CD review:
Jeffrey Gaines - Always Be

Jeffrey Gaines - Always Be

Band: Jeffrey Gaines Title: Always Be Rating: Release Date: 2001-05-22 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Always Be 2: Shake It Off 3: In Your Eyes 4: I'll Have You 5: Back To You 6: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 7: Fall You Fool 8: Tomorrow Today 9: Your Town 10: Happy That 11: Take Me Back 12: In Your Eyes (Live) 13: Hero In Me

Why Aren't There More Recent Reviews?? Gaines live. I recenently and accidentally had the chance to see J. He did a solo accoustic set and I instantly became a fan. It was my experience that he is an average professional guitarist, but a highly talented song-writer and lyricist. In addition, he has many positive messages in his songs. So, I had to buy a CD on the spot, and I have listened to this many times in the few short weeks I have owned it. I have also played it at a party I hosted. Very soulfull voice and melow rock groove. I give this album 4 stars, but you have to appreciate that it is the rare and truely extrodinary CD that I can give a 5 star rating. . . . so this is right up there with many of my favorite and frequently played CDs. My last two comments: (1) I have never appreciated having the same song on a CD twice and wish that "In Your Eyes" was only on once (no matter how cool it is); (2) I enjoyed his live solo performance more than I do this studio recording which has back-up supporting instruments. I look forward to buying Gaines' live CD. In closing, I was surprised that there were not more recent reviews than 2004. I was hoping to see a lot of activity signifying that Gaines is catching on and growing. Just Awesome It is one of the ones that I frequently come back to when I want to listen to something truly wonderful. I love this CD. Every track is great!. I don't even own this cd.... I don't even own this cd. First things first. Second, I've seen JG 2x's and he is a fantastic artist and wonderful human being. He and I talked for some time after the show over a couple beers and I found him to be a very genuine, warm, caring and humurous individual. I have his debut cd which I consider a 5 Star recording and his 2nd release which I consider a 4 Star (Beatle - Esque) recording. The 2nd one definetly takes more time to grow on you, but is well worth the time. The 1st time I saw JG he opened for Melissa Etheridge, just him and his guitar. "Tremendous" would be a word I would use for this show back in '92. He finished his set w/ his cover of PG's "In Your Eyes. " He certainly does the song more than justice. Here's my question for people that find it easier to see the negative in things than the beauty. Do you really think an industry icon like PG would allow JG to perform his song if he didn't "Understand" it? I think some of you need to direct your critical mindset toward yourself and your own life not some musician who's doing what so many of us only wish we could do. The second time I saw JG was in support of his second release in a Blues Bar. He had a full band with him this time around (Bass, drums, keys and guitar) and again he was fantastic. His ability to re-produce his original studio recordings is outstanding. All said & done, JG is a top notch musician and I look forward to buying this cd and his other 3 (including the one due for release on 2/11/03) and enjoying them as much as the other open minded listeners do. Awesome This is one of those CD's that you buy and keep on playing for years. Articulately Soulful He is articulately soulful. Although I prefer the more 'pure' and less produced live acoustic versions of his songs, this CD clearly illustrates the lyrical and vocal mastery of Jeffrey Gaines. Gaines is a master story teller, creating characters rich in emotion and deeply engaged in living and loving life with all its joys and sorrows. There is something for everyone to relate to in his stories which resonate great emotional intensity. "Shake it Off" is a great tune which sounds like a fusing of Elvis Costello with a tinge of Seal and a mellow Lenny Kravitz. Although many have come to know Gaines from his cover of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes", and his music reflects a diversity of influence, he clearly forges his own vocal identity and can stand on his own two feet. See him live if you can. You can see a complete list of all Jeffrey Gaines discography, or go back to the Jeffrey Gaines tabs