Search - Jonesy :: Growing

Proggy, yet looser and more song-oriented than their contemp

Jeffrey J.Park | Massachusetts, USA | 11/23/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jonesy is an obscure English band that released "Growing" in 1973. Comprised of six pieces, the music on the album is more song-oriented and looser than most English progressive rock of the time. Nonetheless, there are some imaginative arrangements and avant-garde improvisatory sections that plant them firmly at the (outer) edge of the prog circle. Instrumentation is fairly unusual for a rock band and features occasional blasts on the trumpet, which is electronically altered at times (they ran the trumpet through an ARP 2600 synthesizer). In fact, it is refreshing to hear the trumpet in a progressive rock context and is suggestive of an influence by Miles Davis (particularly the Jack Johnson album, 1971). Real strings are present on a few pieces, with a very nice arrangement on "Waltz for Yesterday" and at the introduction of the lengthy finale "Jonesy". The use of keyboards is not extremely heavy and includes some brief passages played on the piano, Hammond organ, electric piano, and (rarely) the mellotron (with string setting). Although an ARP 2600 solo is present on "Know who your friends are", and a clavinet part is present during a funky section of "Hard Road", both instruments are played by guest Ken Eliot and not Jonesy keyboardist Jamie Kaleth. Vocals are also provided by Jamie Kaleth and are pleasant enough, although sounding very "rock-ish" at times. Guitarist John Evan-Jones is a solid player, and although employing a wide variety of tones and textures, seems to favor a heavier, more distorted sound than the "clean" tones predominantly used by guitarists in other English prog bands. Last but not least, bassist "Gypsy" Jones and drummer/percussionist "Plug" Thomas hold it all together. Although not necessarily detracting from the album, the 8'20" "Can you get that Together" and the closing instrumental "Jonesy" are simply "jams", with extensive soloing by all members. Of the two, "Jonesy" is fairly spacey at times, spans 11'25, and is the better of the two. The album was re-issued by Si-Wan Records, with liner notes in Korean and lyrics in English. Chances are that if you like this stuff then you may like the band "Flash", which featured former Yes guitarist Peter Banks."