Search - John Michael Talbot :: Beautiful City

Funky Monk

Gord Wilson | Bellingham, WA USA | 11/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My title comes from keyboardist Mike Lawler, who during these sessions dubbed John Michael Talbot the "funky monk". I could have also called it Monk Rock 2, but that would be somewhat misleading since Monk Rock was actually Talbot's second rock album, the first being Cave of the Heart, but The Beautiful City is the third. As much as I liked Monk Rock, that album's lyrics come mostly from the Mass, and as much as I like the Mass, I hoped Talbot would write some original rock songs. This he has done on The Beautiful City. And there was much rejoicing.



As with Monk Rock, one of the best parts is the extremely extensive booklet with lyrics and Talbot's song by song commentary. Talbot's brother and former partner in crime--I mean music-- in the band Mason Proffit, Terry Talbot co-wrote the title song and one of the other best songs, "Holy Man". Another great song is "Heal Me", but the standout is a catchy rocker, "God Thing" which screams for airplay (and would be just the thing to revive currently anemic radio). Talbot reaches back to his first solo recording on Sparrow Records (now EMI) from--get this-- 1976-- for "He is Risen", showing the continuity of his musical and spiritual journey.



I don't have a John Michael Talbot story, but here's my Terry Talbot story. Terry Talbot had just cut a solo album on Sparrow Records when he came to play at the college I was attending. I was very excited because he had a rock song I especially liked called "Hollywood Lies" at a time when rock was quite scarce on "contemporary" albums. I had just seen Clapton's "Cocaine" tour where rabid fans naturally greeted each song with flicked lighters, stomping feet and wild screams.



I felt bad that Terry had such a staid, well-behaved audience to play for, so with the first bars of "Hollywood Lies" I began wildly screaming "Whoooooo!" Whereupon he stopped playing and said something like, "Look man, I heard that for years in the world and now I've left that world behind." My roommates offered to beat him up (it was college) and predictably I fell silent. Then he stopped the concert again and said "Now this brother isn't even getting into it!"



The moral is don't yell during a Terry Talbot concert. However, on my side all is forgiven--and forgotten--notice I don't even remember it. I'm very excited to see how involved Terry is with helping John on these projects (and rumor has it Terry may resurrect Mason Profitt, one of the best country rock bands to hit these parts since I don't know when). Maybe the Brothers Talbot will do "Hollywood Lies" on a later rock album (hint hint). Oh yeah, and my opinion of this John Michael Talbot album? Whooooooooo!"

Where have you all been??

Wolveriter | Tampa, FL | 05/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Typically excellent music from JMT, an artisit gifted enough to produce beautiful music across several genres.



For the uninitiated and the misinformed out there, this is NOT JMT's third foray into rock or folk rock. He and his brother Terry helped pioneer the country rock sound, first through Mason Profitt and then through their initial venture into Christian music, The Talbot Brothers - Reborn (they out-Eagle the early Eagles on this one, and display harmonies that rival CSN&Y...hard to find but worth it). Following that, they went their separate ways, and John produced two excellent albums of trailblazing folk rock, the self-titled John Michael Talbot and its follow-up, The New Earth (again, hard to find but worth it). To me, these are the two albums that showcase his virtuoso skills. I mean, I love his meditative stylings and quieter music, too, but...if you can find it, give a listen to the original, revved up version of He Is Risen and be prepared to have your mind blown by his blazing acoustic stylings. And if you think he can wail on the guitar, you should hear him play the banjo! I proudly stack these two albums up against any other work by any other singer-guitarist of the late 60's, early 70's...Jackson Browne, Cockburn, Fogelberg, whoever...there may be some music just as good, but nothing surpasses it. Well, except for The Beatles and an occassional vocal and guitar flourish by the master, Phil Keaggy.



The Beautiful City isn't a foray into a new musical style...it's a return to what he started out doing 30 years ago. Oh...and if you can EVER find Terry's first two solo albums (No Longer Alone and Cradle of Love), be prepared to enjoy some of the finest country/folk/rock ever recorded. Please, whoever holds the rights to these fine records, let us have them back!"

JMT Rocks

J. Davis | Salem, NJ USA | 11/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Michael Talbot is in the "groove" again. True fans of CCM have to be lovin' it! The songs on Beautiful City are ALL well worth the listen. I especially appreciate the re-make of his classic, "He is Risen." Now that is some wonderfully aged wine.

JMT has spent a lot of his long career concentrating on quiet music for Sunday mornings. Now he is taking another crack at the music of Saturday night. BC and his former, recent release, Monk Rock (equally as good as this one!), reconnect his art, and those of us with ears to hear, to the early explosion of spiritual energy and grace of God associated with his original conversion to Christ. But his early Christian rock is augmented now by the benefit of years of reflection and Christian living.

Another very bright spot on this CD is to be found in the liner notes that hint at a possible future CD by the Talbot Brothers. That would be with JMT'S brother, Terry, who co-wrote the title song on BC. I hope that the Christian music community will show enough appreciation for BC to justify this future project and more. How about a "Saturday night" version of some of JMT'S quiet music? The Talbots appear to be able, ready and willing to show us once again that the "groove" can be a very Holy place.



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