Jerry Lawson & Talk of The Town
Persuasions fans & music lovers everywhere have reason to be ecstatic. Jerry Lawson, lead singer of the legendary a cappella group for 40 years & 22 albums, is back---and he still ain't got no band.
After leaving the Persuasions in 2003, Lawson announced that he was absolutely through with a cappella forever. Jazz combos and big bands beckoned. But on his way to Russia to record a solo album with the Moscow Philharmonic, fate revealed other plans.
Along came Talk of the Town, an a cappella group that had been waiting for Lawson for 35 years---really. Jerry has just finished what he regards as the masterpiece of his life--creating harmonies he long dreamed of, but could never realize. So remarkable was the chance meeting of Lawson and his new group that it was all filmed for a forthcoming documentary.
The new CD, "Jerry Lawson &Talk of the Town", features 20 stunning tracks (recorded on good ol', warm analog) and a few wonderful guests. Lawson: from a cappella to a cappella. The odds of it all happening are almost as good as winning the lottery.
The liner notes for this CD are really an added bonus - filled with comments by Jerry, his version of how he and Talk of the Town came together, and individual performance notes on each song. Beautifully packaged, it's sure to become a collector's item.
Rod Stewart asked Jerry & The guys to join him on The Katrina Benefit -You can see that performance with Rod Stewart & sign up on his mailing list at www.jerrylawson.biz
"A cappella singing is a lost art form and indeed fills a niche in the musical spectrum just like blues does. But every once in awhile we’re treated to a really special gift, and this record is one of those."
****Kyle Diebler - Blues Bytes
My advice for you is to go to Jerry Lawson's website and immediately purchase not one, but two of these CD's. One for your own listening pleasure and one to place into a safety deposit box, for your grandchildren, so that they will know just what Black music was supposed to be all about in the first place. The warning label that it should have on it is: "If you are a Black person, please don't play this album unless you want to learn the reasons why you should love the culture that your people created...."
**** Bob Davis - CEO of Soul Patrol
The album is a pitch-perfect soulful a cappella tilt-a-whirl of Soul, Jazz, Country, R&B, Pop & Gospel. Covering Randy Newman, Dixie Chicks, Sam Cooke, Shania Twain, Billy Joel, Marvin Gaye, and a special tribute to The Persuasions.
****Rip Rense - L.A. Music Beat
Not only does this gem showcase his sterling, alchemical vocal arrangements, but it also boasts a ridiculously eclectic array of material. Its highlights are exquisite, and as one might expect, the ensuing harmonies — which support, elevate, and inevitably illuminate Lawson’s soulful voice — are positively heavenly.
**** John Metzger - The Music Box
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
