Search - John Eddie, Nils Lofgren :: John Eddie

Very Good Album - I'm Surprised John Eddie Never Hit it Big

L.A. Scene | Indian Trail, NC USA | 09/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" hit it big in 1984-85, it just might have signified the beginning of the end of the synth-pop era. Around this time, the emergence of other artists with a similar sound began to emerge on the 80s music scene. Such an artist that hit it big around this time was John Cafferty - who had success with "Eddie and the Cruisers", but no doubt was propeled by the success of the Springsteen sound. An artist with a similar sound to Caffery and Springsteen who started to gain some popularity in 1986 was John Eddie. John Eddie soon began to make a name for himself by playing at the famed Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ (where Springsteen would play impromptu appearances during that time). John Eddie also started to make himself a name on the national scene with a song called "Jungle Boy". "Jungle Boy" was one of twelve songs on the Eddie's self titled debut album. The album "John Eddie" is a very good sounding album. I'm also quite surprised that John Eddie wasn't able to parlay the success of this album and become a bigger name



There definitely are parallels that can be drawn between this album to Bruce Springsteen and John Cafferty. "Jungle Boy" might not be the song to draw these parallels, but the other 11 tracks on this album really show the simularities. John Eddie was the primary songwriter on this album. As for the album itself, he is joined from some big studio musician names that helped to shape the music. For starters - there is a connection to Bruce Springsteen. Max Weinberg, the E Street Band Drummer is the drummer on all of the tracks. Weinberg also lends a hand with the production credits and John Eddie gives him thanks in the credits for giving the album a "rock and roll" sound. Springsteen E Street Band alumnus Nils Lofgren plays lead guitar on the tracks "Pretty Little Rebel", "Romance", "Just Some Guy", and "Waste Me". Acclaimed keyboard player, Greg Phillinganes plays piano on "Cool Walk". Phillinganes is best known for co-writing on several albums with Lionel Richie. Also contributing to the album is acclaimed guitarist Mike Landau. There are a lot of great keyboards done by someone named Mitchell Froom - but as I listen to "John Eddie", I can help but think that it sounds a lot like Springsteen guitarist Roy Bittan. The person who managed John Eddie on the album was none other than former Mr Mariah Carey himself and Sony Records head - Tommy Mottola.



Similar to John Cafferty's "Tough All Over" album, there is a feel to a late 50s, early 60s "Rock and Roll sound" sound on many of the tracks. John Eddie's vocals help to give it a harder edge than a 50s or 60s song. John Eddie has a terrific voice. Even though his solo career never took off, I am very surprised that John Eddie never joined a "name" band. Maybe he was never asked - or maybe he never accepted, but he would have been a perfect fit.



The most popular song is "Jungle Boy", but there are a lot of other good songs to the album to. Max Weinberg starts out with some terrific thundering drums to the song. You get a retro feel with the "Whoas" and "Yeahs" that start out the song and the several "Hey" chants. While it doesn't sound like Springsteen's "Rosalita", I almost get the feeling "Rosalita" influenced Eddie when he wrote this song. Instead of dealing with Rosalita's father - Eddie deals with the mother of a girl named "Mrs. Jackson".



"Jungle Boy" is the seventh track on this collection. There are 12 tracks, here is a brief synopsis of each of the other tracks (in order)



"Dream House" - This is the first track and is one of the best tracks on the collection. This is one of those tracks that almost sound like its Roy Bittan on the keyboards. Weinberg has a short drum sequence to kick it off . The whole track has a very 50s/60s feel to it.



"Pretty Little Rebel" - Nice track. The beginning almost sounds like Ian Hunter's "Once Bitten Twice Shy".



"Hide Out" - This has a Springsteen feel as the song starts - almost starts out like "Badlands", then goes into the retro sound.



"Just Some Guy" - This starts out with a harder guitar edge than the other tracks that precede it, then it goes into that retro sound.



"Please Jodi" - This song starts out slow, then provides the hardest guitar edge heard on the album thus far.



"Cool Walk" - Very good and catchy song.. This reminds me of Cafferty's "C-I-T-Y", but it also has a retro "Grease" era feel to it.



"Stranded" - Very nice song - Continues theme of 50s/60s Sound



"Waste Me" - This has more of a Classic Rock sound. The beginning almost starts out like "Born to Run"



"Romance" - This is the most Springsteen/Bittan soundish track. I like this song a lot.



"Buster" - Change of pace song. This one has a bit of a country, folkish rock feel to it.



"Living Doll" - This is a short track. Surprisingly, this almost reminds me of a 90s sound! Way ahead of its time.



This collection doesn't have any lyrics. It is a shame because this album is a very difficult album to get today - so it is difficult to find the lyrics. The only thing that is of real interest in the liner notes is the credits of some of the musicians. This is a good album. The only negatives are that the sound isn't new and unique and the songs may grow tired after listening a few times. If you can get it at a good price, I'd recommend it. It definitely is a nice change of pace from today's music."

John Eddie's Debut Record

R. D. Frank | Greensburg, PA United States | 12/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How this awesome talent has not genuinely hit the big time baffles me. He's every bit as talented as most major artists (even Bruce), and much more clever lyrically. I'm desperately trying to locate anyone who has any of JE's live shows. Please email me at rudy.frank@kennametal.com If you like Bruce or any of the other NJ Shore artists/sound, get this record. Awesome!"