A Heart and an Open Road is the solo debut release on Motema Music from modern day troubadour and jazz/rock/blues man Patrick Stanfield Jones. Fueled by prodigious chops honed over some thirty years as a guitarist, composer and performer, Jones fearlessly – and with a dose of humor – dives into different genres, seamlessly transitioning from one style to the next, to sing a ‘conscious cowboy’s’ saga of true love, broken hearts and life on the proverbial road.
Flirting with jazz, toying with country and reveling in rock, Jones and his skilled band draw the best from their many musical influences on this action-packed disc. From the rolling country-rock jam of the title track to the swinging jump blues of “Crazy ‘Bout You,” to a surprising version of the Frank Sinatra hit “The Best is Yet to Come,” Jones shows up as a lovable composer/performer with deep passion and unflinching soul. “I guess I write in a ‘genre-melting pot’ style because that’s what I have experienced both as a person of multi-ethnic roots, and also as an itinerant performer meeting and playing with so many different kinds of people around this country,” says Jones. “At the core, these songs paint my picture of American music.”
Engineer/producer Larry Alexander, who won a Grammy® for his work with Janis Ian and is noted for work with Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Rickie Lee Jones and Joe Jackson, worked closely with Jones to synthesize the many sides of his talent into the vibrant collage that defines A Heart and an Open Road. Contributions by Jones’ band-mates and producer collaborators – drummer Don Gardner (John Pizzarelli, Mike Stern, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), bassist Barry Wiesenfeld (Rick Danko, Steve Forbert,) and keyboardist Rave Tesar (The Shirelles, Angela Bofill) – keep the energy high throughout the recording.
Backed in style by this capable crew, Jones takes full artistic reign of the project, having penned or co-penned all but four of the disc’s thirteen songs, while giving a nod to his cover-band days with a bluesy booze-soaked rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “No One Ever Tells You,” a slinky jazz-tinged version of Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love,” and a raucous romp through the Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh classic “The Best is Yet to Come.” Also covered is “The Whisky (Don’t Bring Me Down),” a wry ode to self-medication, written by Mike Guaranga, Jones’s long time musical mate from the NY state band, The Sylvester Brothers.
Jones’s original songs reveal the sensibilities of a long time rocker and jazz specialist with an innate sense of popular song structure.
The CD’s opening and title track quickly sets the mood with soul satisfying bluesy guitar licks and a surprise twist on true love. Up next is the catchy “Block of Ice” a humorous bluesy rant over love gone south. “Lisa” is an insightful Beatles-esque work that could well be dubbed ‘the ballad of the sensitive man,’ while “Hammer” and “Yo Do De Do” both allude to tough times in the singer’s younger years. “Crazy ‘Bout You” and “If You Were My Baby” reveal Jones to be a true romantic at heart, as does the disc’s closer, “Changing of the Guard,” which leaves us on a hopeful note. “I’m always here for you baby,” he sings in this country ode to love gone right. Taken as a whole, these songs paint a clear picture of Jones as a man of integrity who realizes the importance of risk taking in the emotional arena.
Jones’s connection with Motema Music was initiated a few years back when Patrick’s brother (and label-mate) percussionist Kevin Bujo Jones, hooked him up to play guitar in label founder and president Jana Herzen’s band. Several years of musical collaborations led to Jones releasing his project on Motema. “Pat can play in any style, has a theatrical way with a vocal and he can play well in virtually any style,” explains Herzen. “He can really shred on lead guitar, which puts him in a league with people like Clapton, Stevie Rae Vaughn and Bonnie Raitt.”
Jones has been singing and playing guitar and other sundry instruments professionally since the ripe old age of 14. With gigs ranging from dives to major concert halls, he’s shared stages with the likes of Buddy Miles, Taj Mahal and Kenny Rankin, performed in national theater tours for Jesus Christ Superstar and Oh! Calcutta!, and has also performed in both jazz and classical arenas.
Wisdom gained from this exciting and extensive life on the road inspires both his playing and songwriting on A Heart and an Open Road. “These songs are little eclipses in time; some of it is humorous, and some of it is philosophical,” says Jones. Discussing the CD’s title track, the singer confesses, “I had always sought happiness and love in other people, and material things, only to realize what I really needed was to just learn to be content with myself.”
As Jones heads out to promote his solo debut, he says he looks forward to continuing his journey of self-discovery and keeping his heart full of love while back on the open road.
PAT JONES Discography
Patrick Stanfield Jones – “A Heart and an Open Road,” Motema, 2010
Movie soundtrack- “Colin Fitz Lives!” guitars, and co-composition with Jason Downs.
Nicole Kafka “Deliciously Twisted” (cabaret) Co-production, instrumentation, advisement, 2010
Charnett Moffat- “The Art of Improvisation” Motema, 2009
Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway” Various Artists, 2007
Rita Harvey solo debut C.D. 2011
Play Move Sing, Inc. (Children’s Music) co-writer of “My Boat”
Children’s Music Web Awards winner 2006 for best song-www.childrensmusic.org- Music, Lyrics. “You Baby You.”
Music and Arrangement “I like to Sing!” Composer of music lyrics and melody on “What kind of animal would you be?” music and lyrics on “Today is Monday” NAPA award winner, 2007
Danny Zolli – “Sometimes Simple is Best,” 2006
Sylvester Brothers – “Like it was meant to be” Rock and Roll- Telelikz Records, 2006
Kevin “Bujo” Jones “Land of Eternal Tranquil Light,” 2005
Joel and the Cliftonaires “A Doo Wop Christmas,” 2005
Patrick Stanfield Jones – “Mystery Prize” EP, 2004
American Masters Series – Music of Ned Rorem – “Songs of Sadness”- “Romeo and Juliet,” 2004
Dalton Alumni Chorale-winter concert “Cesar Franck- Mass in A Major,” “Camille Saint-Saens Oratoriode Noel Op. 12,” Central Presbyterian Church N.Y.C.
Dalton Alumni Chorale- (2nd tenor Chorus) Mozart’s Mass in C minor United Methodist Church NYC, 2003
Jason Downs “Cash and the Cheddar” (Hip hop) Jive records, 2000
Dalton Alumni Chorale- (2nd tenor chorus) Beethoven’s Ninth Finale Missa Solemni Durlis- Carnegie Hall (Da Silva Conducting)
Stephanie Weems “Hearts and Valleys” A musical history of Knoxville (Americana/Classical), 2001
The New Natives- original roots rock, 1998
Pat Jones Band original CD (Blues Rock), 1995
Mike Corbin-”Cold War” (New Country) Degree Zero Records, 1989
Charles McPherson Jr. “Pop Lock it” – Broccoli Rabe records, 1989
Charles McPherson Jr. “1984 Future Shock” Broccoli Rabe Records, 1985
The Gents “For you my Baby Love” (single), 1985
REVIEWS
An impressive debut from this Northeastern troubadour combines musical genres with catchy tunes and showmanship.
Sometimes it takes over thirty years to become an overnight sensation. Patrick Stanfield Jones has been refining his blues, country rock, folk and jazz repertoire with determination and purpose. He has performed with his own band in the New England area, toured with national theatre companies, and even sung tenor in classical choirs, delving into Mozart and Beethoven.
Not surprisingly, Stanfield’s debut, A Heart and an Open Road reflects an experienced and confident musician. The opening title track gets the album off to a flying start. This ebullient rocker is punctuated by crisp guitar solos, and strong polished singing. A rockabilly blues number, “Hammer “conjures up a 50′s Memphis sound, with a growling vocal, rhythmic acoustic guitar and harmonica adjunct. As a change of pace, Stanfield offers a jump swing original, “Crazy “Bout You”, performed with a vintage 1934 Gibson L4, and driven by a funky tenor and baritone sax combination. Delicate sentiment illuminates “If You Were My Baby”, and a raunchy (blaring sax, guitar, and “altered” electronic voice) “Yo Do De Do” exhibit opposing views of love.
Covers have a distinct and unconventional presence. “Sunshine of Your Love”, an iconic acid blues hit, receives a jazzier rendition with a smooth guitar line (possibly a homage to Wes Montgomery), organ solo, and saxophone presence. Stanfield pays tribute to the Cream, while avoiding imitation. In covering the standard, “The Best Is Yet To Come”, comparisons with Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett will be impossible, due to the hard-edged guitar, and virtual punk vocal. Perhaps the standout translation is the Mike Guaranga amusing sketch of heartbreak, “The Whiskey (Don’t Bring Me Down)”. The mood is etched in a burlesque musical tone, complemented by the authentic, skilled vocals.
With a bountiful thirteen tracks, and nearly fifty-five minutes, the listener will get an opportunity to experience a singer/songwriter in great depth.
-Robbie Gerson, Audiophile Audition
Patrick Stanfield Jones’ debut CD, A Heart and an Open Road, is the culmination of years of experience.
Jones has been a performer for more than thirty years and his debut album sounds mature because of it. It tackles original tunes as well as the classic songs “Sunshine of Your Love” and “The Best is Yet to Come.” While there are several genres included in A Heart and an Open Road, Jones shows a mastery of all of them. The pacing of the album is strong and ordered well as Jones changes tempos without a hitch.
A Heart and an Open Road begins with the title track which follows the essence of country-rock or
rockabilly styles. The song sets up the strong guitar solos from Jones. I love the tempo increase right at the end of the track and almost wished that the section lasted longer. The track “Hammer” is a great example of how Jones can create a timeless sound. The song could fit with the 50s Sun Records sound and could be comparable to artists like Carl Perkins. Yet the song has a modern relatability. The addition pipe organ to “Yo Do De Do” is both humorous and an interesting parallel to the idea of a youthful relationships. The most commercial of all the songs has to be “Changing of the Guard.” Jones has found the essence of a good pop/rock song: pertinent and catchy lyrics, a very accessible guitar solo, and passionate vocals. The song is a strong ending to a wonderful album.
-blogcritics
A True Blues Act Plays Times Square Venue
Concert Review: Patrick Stanfield Jones
(Courtesy of Motema Music)
It would probably be quite a challenge to keep a club exclusively dedicated to the blues open for business in the Times Square neighborhood. Still the supposed blues influences of a lot of acts that play B.B. King’s Blues Club on 42nd Street seem a bit tenuous. Happily this was not the case with Patrick Stanfield Jones and his band, who played the King’s room recently as part of a triple bill that also included the electric roots group McMule and the Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen. As can be heard on his latest CD, “A Heart and an Open Road,” Jones is a legitimate blues rocker with a honky-tonk spirit and the occasional invigorating hints of jazz influences.
You can definitely hear the roadhouse in the opening title track. Jones’s guitar ranges into legitimate rock-and-roll territory, but Steven “Muddy” Roues’s harmonica still keeps the proceedings grounded in the blues. The following, “No One Ever Tells You,” a blues lament covered by Ruth Brown and B.B. King himself, is a perfect showcase for Jones’s laidback vocals. He definitely pulls out the blues licks here, with Rave Tesar adding grease on the organ.
Shrewdly Jones resists unleashing his inner guitar hero on Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.” Instead his easy-going, idiosyncratic rendition and the groovy arrangement give the hoary rock standard an appealingly fresh sound. However, the hard rocking take on Cy Coleman’s “The Best is Yet to Come,” previously covered by the likes of Tony Bennett and Sinatra, frankly sounds a bit gimmicky.
The addition of a jazz horn-line, consisting of Kit McClure on tenor saxophone and Erik Lawrence on baritone, also lends a funky texture to Jones’s group in concert. On “Road,” they are best showcased trading off on “Crazy About You,” a ruckus swinger inspired by Dizzy Gillespie’s, “Land of Oobla Dee,” which is a real highlight of the session.
“Road” features a diverse selection of Americana sounds, including a sensitive country-style ballad, “If You Were My Baby.” Still Jones and his band are at their best when delving deep into the blues-rock bag, as on the old school drinking song, “Whiskey (Don’t Bring Me Down).” Evidently someone who has seen a lot of tough times, Jones appropriately ends with an optimistic sounding up-tempo country-rock empowerment anthem, “Changing of the Guard.” Wickedly catchy, it is a very effective set closer.
As someone who writes about coming through adversity, Jones’s music is clearly quite compatible with the musical therapy concept of Motema Music founder and president Jana Herzen, who also contributed background vocals to “Road.” The resulting session is a rootsy, bluesy excursion into the roadhouses and juke joints of American song. Honest and energetic, “Road” is now available at fine music retailers everywhere.
Joe Bendel blogs on jazz and cultural issues at www.jbspins.blogspot.com and coordinated the Jazz Foundation of America’s instrument-donation campaign for musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Legit Blues-Rocking: Patrick Stanfield Jones
It would probably be quite a challenge to keep a club exclusively dedicated to the blues open for business in the Times Square neighborhood. Still, the supposed blues influences of a lot of acts that play B.B. King’s Blues Club on 42nd Street seem a bit tenuous. Happily, this was not the case with Patrick Stanfield Jones and his band, who played the King’s room recently as part of a triple bill that also included the electric roots group McMule and the Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen. As can be heard on his latest CD, A Heart and an Open Road, Jones is a legitimate blues rocker with a honky-tonk spirit and the occasional invigorating hints of jazz influences.
You can definitely hear the roadhouse in the opening title track. Jones’s guitar is ranges into legitimate rock-and-roll territory, but Steven “Muddy” Roues’s harmonica still keeps the proceedings grounded in the blues. The following “No One Ever Tells You,” a blues lament covered by Ruth Brown and B.B. King himself, is a perfect showcase for Jones’s laidback vocals. He definitely pulls out the blues licks here, with Rave Tesar adding grease on the organ.
Shrewdly, Jones resists unleashing his inner guitar hero on Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.” Instead, his easy-going, idiosyncratic rendition and the groovy arrangement give the hoary rock standard an appealingly fresh sound. However, the hard-rocking take on Cy Coleman’s “The Best is Yet to Come,” previously covered by the likes of Tony Bennett and Sinatra, frankly sounds a bit gimmicky.
The addition of a jazz horn-line, consisting of Kit McClure on tenor saxophone and Erik Lawrence on baritone, also lends a funky texture to Jones’s group in concert. On Road, they are best showcased trading off on “Crazy About You,” a ruckus swinger inspired by Dizzy Gillespie’s “Land of Oobla Dee” that is a real highlight of the session.
Road features a diverse selection of Americana sounds, including a sensitive country-style ballad, “If You Were My Baby.” Still, Jones and his band are at their best when delving deep into the blues-rock bag, as on the old school drinking song, “Whiskey (Don’t Bring Me Down).” Evidently someone who has seen a lot tough times, Jones appropriately ends with an optimistic sounding up-tempo country-rock empowerment anthem “Changing of the Guard.” Wickedly catchy, it is a very effective set closer.
As someone who writes about coming through adversity, Jones’s music is clearly quite compatible with the musical therapy concept of Motema Music founder and president Jana Herzen, who also contributed background vocals toRoad. The resulting session is a rootsy, bluesy excursion into the roadhouses and juke joints of American song. Honest and energetic, Roadis now available at fine music retailers everywhere.Labels: Blues, Blues-Rock,Motema Music, Patrick Stanfield Jones