Record Reviews

JONESY ~ SUDDEN PRAYERS MAKE GOD JUMP… NIGHT WINGS 01 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2003 4th and last, never previously released, album by the British Prog band JonesyFind albums by this artist, which is quite a surprise. The band’s three previous albums (“No AlternativeFind albums with this title”, “Keeping UpFind albums with this title” and “GrowingFind albums with this title”) recorded between 1971 and 1974 and originally released on the DawnFind albums on this label label, are great examples of the Prog scene at the time, with strong King CrimsonFind albums by this artist influences and interesting contributions from the horn player Alan BownFind albums by this artist (on the 2nd and 3rd album). Following the release of the 3rd album the band simply split up, as happened to most bands at that time, due to tensions between the band members, leaving brothers John Evan-JonesFind albums by this artist (guitars, keyboards and vocals) and Gypsy JonesFind albums by this artist (bass, keyboards, violin and vocals) as the remaining core of the band. Together with three studio musicians: Ken ElliottFind albums by this artist – keyboards, Bernard HagleyFind albums by this artist – electric saxophones and David PottsFind albums by this artist – drums and percussion, they recorded their swan song, which was their most ambitious and elaborate project their ever attempted. Unfortunately due to contractual problems the album was not released on time and to make things worse the original master tapes were stolen from the studio, leaving the band with nothing, which led to the inevitable dead end. The only remaining testimony of the last album was a cassette copy, which is the source of this release. Remastered and cleaned up, it actually sounds pretty decently, and considering the great music it contains, the sonic quality is of secondary importance. This is a concept album, as fashionable at the time, presenting a psychic journey of a man experiencing a mental breakdown and his way to recovery. The music is complex and dense, with layers of sound overlapping and elaborate studio wizardry. The musical themes and the performances are first rate and overall it’s quite a gem, which now, 30 years after its recording, can be finally discovered and enjoyed by Prog fans everywhere. Definitely worth investigating.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend