Artist: Fremont John
Title: Timeline
Genre: Rock-Folk-Blues-Country
Label: Aim High Music Group
Fremont John Website

Fremont John is a classically trained pianist turned folk-blues-country rocker. On Timeline, John sings like a man on a mission of purpose. The music he plays burns like the desert sun and that heat comes through with his passionate rough-around- the-edges vocals. At times, his style and sound reminded me of Burton Cummings meets Wolfman Jack.

"Jericho's Wall" kicks things off creating strong imagery of battles won and lost. I do not think the recording could have started in a more emotional way. This man can belt out a song. When he sings "Forgive Me" you can tell he is playing for keeps, as if he actually had someone in mind for the song. "No Pity On Me" features some twangy slide guitar that is blues and country from head to toe. He definitely could put a killer all blues album together if he wanted to, check out the curtain closer "Hey Brother Jimmy," it cooks.

John is a very versatile vocalist that changes his inflection just so to fit each song. "One Man Who Hopes" is a more laid-back effort with a nice saxophone lurking in the background to give it a jazz feel. "One Love" is the best cut on the album; it has a funky bass line driving it with a sexy sax for that additional tastefulness to give it a romantic atmosphere. No doubt, he dedicated the tune to his partner in life but it could apply to anyone's life. John's voice is superb on this track; he totally owns the song every step of the way.

Every track is as robust and energetic as humanly possible. John plays an inspired acoustic guitar throughout the recording, using a nylon string and Nashville model on some tracks. I do not think an artist could put together a better showcase of all his talents than this. If you enjoy great vocals with all types of music to drive it along, get this CD, it is exceptional. They don't call this music acoustic thunder for nuthin' baby!

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

May 13, 2005

Rating-8/10

Credits:

Fremont John: Lead vocals, acoustic guitars, nylon string guitar, and Nashville guitar
Richard Crooks: drums & hand percussion
Fernando Saunders: fretted and unfretted electric basses, electric upright basses
Rob Leon: bass
Charlie Giordano: Piano. Hammond B3
Larry Baeder: Electric lead and rhythm guitars
Crispin Cioe; Soprano and Tenor Sax

01. Jericho's Wall (4:19)
02. Timeline (5:02)
03. No Pity On Me (3:51)
04. Forgive Me (4:37)
05. One Man Who Hopes (4:51)
06. Tidal Wave (4:09)
07. Guardian Angel (2:58)
08. One Love (4:28)
09. Save My Life (3:27)
10. Storm Warning (3:23)
11. Devil's Dune (4:04)
12. Hey Brother Jimmy (5:31)