Jackson.C.Frank
waterfall85 | 08/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is quite simply an utterly breathtaking album. Produced by Paul Simon and recorded in a matter of days, this is the only completed album Frank ever recorded. It is difficult not to run out of superlatives and hard to pick standout tracks, though 'Blues Run the Game', and 'Yellow Walls' are definately highlights. If you are a fan of Bert Jansch, Nick Drake, Fairport Convention or indeed none of the above, you should buy this album. Frank had a somewhat troubled life, but he left behind one of THE truly great sixties folk albums and every home should have one."
This is now one of my favorite albums.
David Bahr | I exist | 04/08/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I will try to review this as best I can. I am a fanatic in all senses of the word of Nick Drake. Jackson C. Frank was one of Nick's maind influences and I now see why.
The first track displays Jackson's unique hammeron guitar picking with the capo on the 7th fret, something unique as well in 1965. I will not go through track by track but the general outlook of the album is of meloncholic lyrics, hammerons on an acoustic guitar, and a sweet voice, powerful yet gental. The first ten tracks are the original album. However, it is the later five "extra tracks" that are really... unique in their own right. Jackson recorded these ten years later and his voice is gruffer, but still holds a quality that tells one, "I have something to say and I'm going to say it, no matter how much my voice quavers on a note." It seems that the guitar is more chord oriented and not as much emphasis is placed on the capo as in the previous songs. I personally love the lyrics to this album, beautiful suffering is a decent phrase. I can't force one to by this, but I advise it for it's guitar work, lyrics, and vocal talent, all of which were sadly not well known when this album and later tracks were made. This is truly an album that needs to be recognized for it's purity, join if you like.
one of my favorite lines to end, "milk and honey were their lies"
Dave"
A note for Sandy Denny fans --
Milo Miles | Cambridge, MA USA | 03/21/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Reportedly, Sandy Denny was romantically entangled with Jackson C. Frank for a time in 1966 or so and she recorded two of his songs -- "You Never Wanted Me" and "Milk and Honey" -- on her folky, voice-and-guitar debut album, now released as "The Original Sandy Denny." So, Denny devotees would do well to check out the source of her early inspiration in Jackson Frank."