A superb collection of experimental rock n' roll.

16 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Post-Rock/Experimental, COUNTRY: Modern Country



Details:
ALL-STAR TALENT
written by Mark Bialczak, Music Critic, the Stars section on Sunday, July 8, 2007, the Post-Standard, Syracuse, New York.
Project is Jon Ellis Stevens' own 'KoKoMo"

In a letter explaining his mission and motives for his new CD "KoKoMo," Jon Ellis Stevens signs off with the line, "Here's Jonny... and his rock 'n' roll orchestra."

The singer-songwriter from Jamesville, New York certainly put together a collection of musicians worthy of the name he's hung on them, The New York All-Stars.

The 16-song CD, Stevens' second, allows him to collaborate with some serious local talent.

Andy Rudy plays not only his specialty, the Sterling organ, but some very rich guitar work as well. Ron Spencer cooks on guitar. Mark Copani adds his rich guitar work, too. Rudy's organ work and Spencer and Copani's guitar warms the soulful vocals of Sue Ferguson on "The Love And The Light," written by William James Wheatley.

Peter Baird works pedal steel on "Standing Tall," "Hollywood Star," "I Want To Write A Love Song' and "Forever's A Long Time." Chris Sawyer adds tasty tenor sax to the title cut.

Add the writing and guitar work of Philip Carlo Paratore on four R & B- style cuts and Kathy Gill's big-band style vocals on eight cuts, and Stevens' disc is full of melodic energy.

Stevens' fine writing remains the glue that holds the CD together.

His best songs include "Manipulation," thick and rich rock 'n' roll, "I Want To Write A Love Song," a sweet country love song that allows Stevens to share the vocal work with both Ferguson and Gill; and "Forever's A Long Time," a fine folk march reminiscent of Dylan and his work with the Band in the golden age.

About the CD title, which brings to mind a pop song by the Beach Boys:

"KoKoMo,' Stevens explains, is "a metaphor for something creative and personal that someone/anyone/everyone has and might be into: woodworking, crafts, writing, fine art, painting, sculpting, ceramics and pottery... that very personal thing that is yours and yours alone. That safe little place, that little safe haven, that no one can touch or do harm."

He's found his at the SubCat Music Studio, in Skaneateles, New York, where he recorded these 16 songs."