Jubilation - Song by Song

by "Tiny Montgomery"

I finally received my promo copy of Jubilation. After a few days and nights of intense listining I will provide the following review:

First of all, I like the promo cover better than the official one that is going to be released next month. The promo CD will no doubt become a collectors item!

First up,
"Book Faded Brown"
Quite possibly Rick's finest post Robbie vocal! Immediately striking song with very nice stand up bass lines. Rick's relentless giging has left him in fine musical form. This is just one of many GREAT Danko performances on the album.

"Don't Wait"
Levon checks in with a great oldtime type feeling song that he does best. Kind of a shuffle arrangement.One of Levon's most solid (health wise) vocals on the album.

"Last Train"
bumpin groove w/ nice Clapton licks and great playful lyrics. This one would probably really cook live.

"High Cotton"
Man that Danko voice is in it's prime! He can still hit all the notes, and as usual he makes it sound sooo easy. "I'm in High Cotton, I forgot that I had the blues". Nice sax solo from Honeyboy....GREAT SONG.

"Bound by Love"
This one has real commercial potential! This is a quality Hiatt tune that really comes alive with Rick's duet vocal! Classic Band style intro by Garth. This is one that may get them back into the radio limelight! John Hiatt must be proud of the way this one turned out. I've been humming it at work for two days straight. Instant Standout!

'White Cadillac"
Intro sounds a lot like "Ain't That A Lotta Love" from Islands. Another smokin groove that must make The Hawk proud! Lead vocal by Randy with Levon on back up (too far back for my taste). I think Levon could have sang a better lead, regardless the song rocks like only the Band can.

"If I Should Fail"
Further proof that Danko's voice is on fire! This song breaks your heart like only Rick's voice can, and the symbolism is there (we all know Rick has failed and sings this song with authentic conviction). Great lonesome cowboy intro by Garth!

"Spirit Of The Dance"
Extremely funky beat. I have never heard the band go quite so far with the percussion! Aaron calls it "Life is a Carnival" part 2, I disagree. I would have left this one off, what is otherwise a classic record. "Soul Deep" would have worked great in this slot, but it looks like that song has been forgotten. I know the title comes from this track, but that don't mean shit. The groove is very, very tight, and Rick's vocal makes it listenable.

"You See Me (Blind Fools Love)"
This sounds like a Jericho track, very good Levon vocal with classic horn lines(what would you expeect from an Allen Toussant tune). This is all the funk needed on the album, and it's a real adult does if you know what I mean. Once again, Honeyboy checks in with brillant saxaphone work.

"French Girls"
Interesting closure, Ever so short, but VERY sweet! It's Bach meets Americana folk. I love this tune. Pull up to the Ocean, watch the seagulls and listen. As Robbie once said "Thats when time stood still". This would have been a great intro to a last tune, but that's another album perhaps.

This is by far the best post Robbie Band album hands down. There are a lot of moments that remind me of The Band album minus those great guitar licks that only Robbie can hit, and those heart dropping vocals that only Richard can sing. This is a damn fine album that proves that The Band is still alive, still original, and still masters of good old time Americana Music.

Enjoy, Tiny M.