Search - Jeroan van Aichen :: Today Was Different

News Flash! JVA is really Portland's Jim Walker

Tom Erhardt | Salem, Oregon United States | 05/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've seen JVA - Songwriter Jim Walker with guitarmeister Tim Ellis - play live a couple dozen times in the last few years, and some of my all-time favorite tunes are from this CD. Nobody I've heard writes like Jim. He's twisted, funny, rude, touching, sly, deep and witty. If you hear anything cliche here, it's only because Jim coined it and someone else copped it. He's near the top of my long list of favorite songwriters, but please don't think singer-songwriter. He plays "heckity" on a dozen or so instruments, and has a voice that conveys every sonic nuance from warm-cozy to scare-me-witless. His lyrics amuse, cajole, shock, and sometimes confuse. He's loathe to write a straight-on love song, and loves to leave you dazed and wondering. My favorites: "I Fry a Saxophone," "Protection," "Not So Far," and the secret track, a blood chilling story, not a song, "Bicycle Jerry." Do yourself a favor - buy this and listen to it over and over. As the title implies, it's Different, but sometimes you need something like JVA to shake you up a little."