"don't let on who it is you love, just tell me who you've been thinking of. it's not me - well I don't mind, I got my woman most of the time.. most of the time."

To think I crawl throughout these days of blotchy sunshine searching for that next song and/or album that will soothe my battered soul, and Philadelphia's Hezekiah Jones was released on a label right up my frequently traveled interstate [Yer Bird - Charlottesville, Virginia]. Who knew? Let me now pay my thanks.

"Just because it's quiet doesn't mean there's peace"

The last [and only] album sctas received that noted Hilda Doolittle [H.D.] in the liner notes was from New York's Pure Horsehair [Aubade] - and Hezekiah Jones should someday share a stage with PHh, for the two would surely lure angels of the still night into one room for a calm waltz set to take thy poetic breath away. Hezekiah Jones is the recording name chosen by one Raphael Cutrufello, and Says You're A-OK is the collected works from various recording sessions throughout Philadelphia. While that may read like a sparse, lonesome affair - Hezekiah Says You're A-OK is lavishly decorated with many additional players and instruments including kazoo, slide whistle [see: "Writing Letters In The Morning"], percussion and the help on some foreign vocals ["Just Because It's Quiet.."]. "Hildebrand" reveals one of Hezekiah's strongest skills in their/his ability to begin a song at an upbeat tempo and mid-way shift into a lower gear - a bit like that lil' bastard choo-choo that didn't think he could climb the hill [but could and did, of course]. It is with the lyrical wealth that Cutrufello presents here - both in tone and tale - that gives Says You're A-OK its 'instant keeper' appeal. A truly magnificent, magical and harmonious album this Hezekiah Jones has sent for us - the battered and needy.

[ This album could make watching air escape ever-so slowly from a faulty tire seem like the most beautiful event imaginable - crazy beautiful it is. ] Extra credit for the thanks to Herbie Hancock and M. Ward. Yes.

"some say it's not about who's right, but who realy cares"

kaleb :: [ september, quietly ]