RATING GUIDE

90-100% Excellent

80-90% Very Good

60-80% OK/Good

50-60% Is it worth it?

Below 50% forget it
 
 

J.J. Barnes

Born again, again!

MCA MCLD 19398

Track listing

1 Can't see me leaving you

2 Time is Love

3 Good men don't grow on trees

4 You are just a living doll

5 Wishful thinking

6 You owe it to yourself Pt. 1

7 You owe it to yourself Pt.2

8 No Ifs, And or Buts

9 (I just can't believe I'm)

Touching you

JJ Barnes ~ Born again, again!

Sequel NEM CD 936

From a quantity point of view this is not a great value CD. From a quality point of view it is simply superb. "Born again, again!" was originally issued in the US but not in the UK to my knowledge. Northern fans familiar with JJ's 60's material may find this album a revelation. It reveals his progression as an artist adapting to the changing times and production values. Only the hardened 6T's Northern fans are likely to turn their noses and backs on this. Well, that's their loss.

According to the 6 page booklet the first track "Can't see me leaving you" enjoyed plays during the 80's at some Modern Soul venues. It's easy to see why. A simply brilliantly mid tempo number in the best of Philly tradition. Instantly memorable with a splendid hook. it ought to be revived at Across the Board venues. (Anyone with the courage out there to do so?) I'm prepared to give this a play if I can my hands on a vinyl copy. Just JJ magic. 10/10

By way of a complete contrast "Time is Love" is one of those dreamy ballads that would never get a play at a Northern venue. But homewise could be another story... 8/10

"Good men don't grow on trees" is a dancer and has plenty to hold Northern fans interest. It's another mid-tempo play with great lyrics and like "Can't see me leaving you" could stand a revival at dance venues. Probably the track that recaptures Barnes's 60's recordings most closely. Yet production wise clearly 70's. Again it has the melodic hook to make it recognisable instantly. Lyrically it makes sense too. Only a hardfaced refusenik wouldn't dance to this one.10/10

"You are just a living doll" is another ballad performed in JJ's inimitable style. Quite a few of the 90's aspirants to the Soul mantle ought to listen to performers like Barnes. This is what Soul singing is all about. No faking it - the real thing. When he sings the words he means what he sings. I can't say that about many of the fakers on the 90's youth market with their brand of syntho-emotions. Sheer class 10/10.

"Wishful thinking" is pure 70's with a long spoken female intro before JJ comes in and gradually cranks the tempo almost imperceptibly. An a relentless instrumental riff accompanies his vocals on this really incredible 70's Philly mid-tempo groove. Maybe not a Northern dancer but the Modern enthusiasts would simply just love this. A fabulous listen whatever and definite 10/10.

"You owe it to yourself" Pt.1 and 2 just hit all the right spots at once. Classic 70's - a real archetypal pair of grooves. Want a haunting riff that sums up Black aspirations in the 70's? This is it! You could dance to this if your were into Modern but frankly this is strictly for listening as far as I am concerned. And no bad thing either... Just love these tracks. Talk about shivers running up and down the spine. For me both Pts. are worth the price of the entire album. And guess what? Yep. 10/10. To quote from the lyrics "You owe it to yourself..." to get a hold of this.

At the beginning of "No ifs, ands or buts" I was almost tempted into thinking "Oh, God! A slice of cheesy 70's TV Love Boat theme or maybe Lurve Train." Just goes to show you should never prejudge what's coming. This is a really great Barnes track once you get past the introductory bars and arrangements. I hesitate to give this a full 10/10 rating and settle for a 9/10. Call me tight. It's still top notch listening and dancing material.

Another great ballad completes this 34 minute CD. "(I just can't believe I'm) Touching you." True artistry. Hence 10/10. Mariah Carey and a bum called JD who perform "Sweetheart" on her greatest hits CD represent all that's crass in the 90's. Surface emotion and noise, bland and cliched to the bone. So much for the Diva and rapper then... To misquote a 60's song ("Black is Black") -...Crap is crap. I want my JJ Barnes back... Vocal gymnastics do not make Soul music. Sorry about that! Just had to get if off my chest! 

So, OK. It's not a real Northern Album. But it's 100% Soul recorded by an artist at the peak of his creativity. Mixed tempos and fabulous musicianship to accompany the true spirit. "You owe it to yourself... " (Pts 1 & 2 and 3 if you must) to get hold of a copy. It's still likely to be about - maybe even in the cheap racks. Well into the high 90% ratings.