Strong album from JMA ahead of Arts Centre gig
WEXFORD rock band JMA will make a welcome return to Wexford Arts Centre this coming Saturday night, December 21, when they will present their celebrated tribute show to rock legends, Neil Young and Bob Dylan.
On previous occasions the show has sold out and that’s likely to happen again this time around.
While the gig will obviously be based around the legendary work of Dylan and Young the show comes in the wake of JMA releasing one of their strongest albums to-date this year, in the form of ‘We All Got to Get Out Thrills.
Highlighting the eclectic songwriting ability of principal songwriter, Mick Egan, the album offers plenty of variety to keep the most discerning of music fans happy.
The song ‘Carla’ exudes a strong punk attitude which is enhanced by a dirty guitar sound.
However, the lead vocals of Jim Meyler gives the song strong commercial appeal and as usual Anne Meyler’s harmony vocals gives the overall melody extra depth.
The chorus is very strong and the loose feel of the music accompaniment provides the track with a wonderful jam type feel.
‘List of Things (Not to Think About)’ is one of the most commercial songs on the album and the reverse, positive irony of the song’s message is an example of brilliant writing from Egan: ‘I made a list of things not to think about, to get me through another happy day.’
The Meylers’ harmonies, again, add to the overall appeal of the song.
While JMA have always proved they can rock out with the best of them they are also adept at executing brilliant love songs and ballads.
‘First Love’ is a fantastic example of this. A gentle story of separation the introduction of a gentle piano motif into the overall soundscape adds greatly to the track and also in the context of the overall album takes the listener off on another very welcome tangent.
‘We All To Get Our Thrills’ is a moody blues song which invokes the vibe of ZZ Top’s, ‘Jesus Just Left Chicago’ or ‘AC/DC’s, ‘Ride On’, while ‘I Walked Into Your Love’ is one of the most downbeat songs on the album and is a sombre ode to the majestic impact that love has on life.
When it comes to thought-provoking songs they don’t come much better than ‘All The Angels Are in Heaven’.
With one of the strongest choruses on the album the song is one of the standout tracks on the CD.
The chemistry of the band onstage is something the members manage to replicate in the studio and that’s borne from them not just being firm friends but also from sharing a common love of specific artists and genres.
‘The Hard Way’ is an upbeat, mid-tempo, country rock song that walks a path not dissimilar to that ventured by the likes Lloyd Cole & The Commotions.
It’s a song about life’s lessons and how some people go out of their way to go the long way around in life while others instinctively make the right decisions.
‘Fools in Paradise’ features a lovely, subtle, picked, electric guitar riff and lyrically it’s one of the most in-depth songs on the CD.
Many songwriters put themselves into the context of someone else’s life when writing lyrics and this is a song that every listener will take his or her own particular meaning from.
From an arrangement perspective the false ending takes the listener by surprise and just when it seems the song is about the end there is a lovely harmonica break which adds an extra, somewhat lonely, dimension to the track.
The exemplary storytelling aspect of Egan’s songwriting style is further compounded on the tracks like ‘Not In It to Win It’ and ‘Sweetheart of My Soul’.
The former track benefits from some fantastic duel vocals from the Meylers while the latter song begins in downbeat fashion before striding into a mid-tempo, upbeat bridge.
The overall accompaniment is enhanced by the use of mandolin while the ending is a frenzied, electric guitar led rock jam where all members of the band are allowed to showcase their talent on their respective instruments.
While Mick Egan is the main songsmith and the Meyler’s the main vocal presenters of his work the addition of Mick O’Brien and Keith Devereux on bass and drums, respectively, gives all of the tracks a rock solid rhythm section and their contribution to the overall sound of the band cannot be overstated.
Mick Egan is one of the most versatile songwriters to emerge from county Wexford and this album showcases that fact in exemplary fashion.
The influences are obvious and in that regard the tribute night to Bob Dylan and Neil Young is very fitting.
Being lifelong fans of both legendary artists is also one of the reasons why JMA’s classic tribute show is renowned for its quality and authenticity.
Quite simply, this will undoubtedly be one of the music highlights of the year and what a way to lead into Christmas week.
Tickets for the show are priced €12 and doors open at 8 p.m.