Search - Jesse Johnson :: Verbal Penetration

A Few Nice Tracks, the rest is just okay, sorry

Philip Thompson | Twin Cities, MN | 11/04/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I love Jesse Johnson, and I was very happy to see this cd in the new release section of Electric Fetus (local record shop here in Mpls). I bought it that day.



I was really hoping for some more straight up tasty hard rock like Bare My Naked Soul, which was an excellent fantastic record with choice guitar work! I like Jesse's R & B stuff very much, and this record does have some decent grooves, but after this long of a wait, it could have been much stronger. Don't get me wrong, the musicianship is very nice, but besides several key tracks like Verbal Provocation (nice guitar flourishes), Propaganda, Merciful (the only straight on rocker, but with some rehashed licks, and Hendrix swipes, still nice fuzzy guitar sounds), it was somewhat of a letdown. On tracks like Don't Throw Yourself Away, it's pretty, but basically an updated Curtis Mayfield/Impressions sound alike with a Staples Singers message about repsect. I do like Slo Burnin's groove, and there is respectable flavor here altogether, but it just could have been better.



Once again, most of the music sounds pretty good/funky, and is done tastefully, but nothing to get super excited about, although I hope Jesse keeps at it, love to see another true rock record, I know Jesse might feel like he needs to appeal to his old R&B crowd, but I really liked the total guitar direction of his last one, that was more my cup of tea.



This is a 2 CD set. The 1st cd is the decent one, but as for the second cd it's basically just someone talking/reading poems and messages over Jesses music (not really rapping, just reading, like from a book). Most voices on these tracks aren't even Jesse's voice (I'm assuming), just random people, some girl(s)/chick, and some mcls brotha's? I'll give it another listen, but cd 2 was kind of weird to me, because some of the music was quite decent, and could have been used more effectively in a traditional song arrangement with lyrics and singing. Look at it like your buying a solid one cd album, with a bonus cd of general whatever material?



Overall the 1st cd deserves a 3.5, the second cd, possibly a 2.5, probably lower. Will look forward to more releases hopefully, Jesse has a lot of talent, maybe this is just a warm up!"

OUTSTANDING Return !!!

John D. Washington | Los Angeles, CA USA | 11/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, after two weeks, I am having trouble getting past the first disc (IT"S THAT GOOD !!).



This is easily Jesse's best work ever. There is more depth in his music and emotion in his playing than ever before. I've been a huge Jesse fan since seeing the Time (Controversy tour - yes, I am getting old), and was trying to lower my expectations. Frankly, I did not know if Jesse could recapture his magic/touch from his previous releases. These discs are incredible, and at the risk of prompting jabs from unrealistic Prince fans, Verbal Penetration is much better than Lotusflower/MPLSOUND.



The first disc contains 16 tracks. There are 3 brief tracks that are either introductions or segues, so I will omit them.



Jesse gets it started with the title track, "Verbal Penetration", which fits in the mold of a typical Jesse Johnson jam. The first half has a driving bassline and beat with backing female vocals, then Jesse's smooth and signature chorus, which eventually give way to Jesse cuttin' it up. This is one of the strongest tracks.



Next is "Propaganda" which has a slow sexy vibe, which Jesse singing of the perils of buying into everything we see and hear. The song closes with Jesse playing his guitar through a talkbox (a la Roger Troutman).



"U & I R We R Us" has a Curtis Mayfield "Pusherman" feel to it, but with a message that we all are one, and need to unite before self-destructing. This is the first of several tracks where Jesse makes a strong social statement. Though Jesse has done this before (Black in America), the message is far more prevalent on this release.



"100 Watts of Funky" is EXACTLY what you expect it to be, based on its title. This is an explosion of funk with Jesse singing in over an upbeat rhythm section and real horns. Not sure who is playing sax, but GOOD GOD !! This is one of my favorites.



"Merciful" is the first of two instrumentals on this disc. Both songs demonstrate how immense his talent truly is. Merciful is extremely sensual with Jesse playing passionately over a very sexual groove.



The next two tracks are solid, with "Don't Throw Yourself Away" being a lighter tune with the message of remaining strong and proud; not letting anything bring us down or holding us back. "Slo Burnin'" is a gritty funk song.



The next two tracks are my favorites on this disc. I'm not sure who "Sheila Rae" is, but based on what Jesse's singing, she is God's gift to man. This has an upbeat groove and great horn section, with Jesse professing his love for everything about Sheila Rae. "Love Letters" is my favorite song. It's a mellow jam consisting of a stand-up bass and jazzy guitar fills with Jesse doing a D'Angelo feeling falsetto. If D'Angelo played guitar (and still recorded) this is what I'd imagine.



"Slave 2 R Freedom" is Jesse's most socially conscious track, consisting of a bass-driven groove with female backing vocals with a spoken word commentary (not sure if it's Jesse). The spoken word addresses topics like the use of the word 'ni**a' as a term of endearment, lack of pride within our (Black) communities, and general disappointment with our (Black) progress since Dr. King's famous speech. With the exception of 'Black in America', Jesse had never seemed to put his views out there. With this CD, the gloves came all the way off.



"We R So Strong" begins with a jazzy guitar and trumpet intro, with Jesse showing off his ability to play jazz. Though the lyrics are uplifting, I found myself hypnotized by Jesse's fluid, free-flowing playing.



Last, and certainly not least, is the second instrumental on this disc, "Beautiful Sadie". Jesse shows that there are very few on this planet who have master the guitar like him. I was absolutely mesmerized by his playing here. This is why we but his stuff. AWESOME !!



I realize that I can not do this CD justice here, but it's clear to me that Jesse has grown significantly as a musician, lyricist, and person. The social commentary is not heavy-handed and is very much in the vein of Curtis Mayfield or Marvin Gaye. It appears Jesse is seeking to provoke us to do some self-reflection as well as enjoying the music.



Verbal Penetration - Volume 2 (disc 2), which has a very different vibe than its predecessor. This disc has contains 13 tracks and a far more overt social agenda. Besides a brief Intro, there five other tracks that are spoken word over background music. Let's get these out of the way first.



"Redemption For the Soul. Enlightenment for the Earhole" a French-accented woman recounts an underground movement in the distant future --- a time when 'free' music is banned. On this night, the clandestine gathering is soaking in the creative works of Jesse Johnson (a guitarist, producer, songwriter, and cultural icon of the late 20th and early 21st centuries). The focus of the tale is the message of Verbal Penetration -- "self-respect, love, and the omnipotent power of communication". The group is discovered by the 'music police'and ....... (I don't want to spoil the ending).



"Meditation 01: Astrology" is a spoken word piece (with background music) attempting to link the change in the classification of Pluto as a planet, to the government's attempt to restrict changes in our society (Yes, I know it's a reach). I found the concept to be a bit rambling, and was not fond of this track.



"Meditation 02: Self-Love" is also a spoken word piece containing the dialog between a Black mother and her son. She is explaining their ethnic origins and how understanding one's cultural identity will help with individual self-discovery. While discounting most historal writings and teachings related to Black history and culture as false, she cautions her son from adopting the shortcomings of "today's Black culture" (e.g. use of the word ni$$a).



"Reflections" is an interview with Jesse while "VP Credits" are his acknowledgements. The CD does not contain any written credits except for those related to Jesse's attire and appearance (make-up, hair, fashion).



Now, on to the music .....



"Get Next to You" starts with a driving beat and Jesse shredding it which evolves into a funky seduction of someone Jesse wants to connect with . This is a great way to launch into the second disc. The guitar solo is phenomenal.



"Ali Vs Frazier" is a JAZZ tune. Yes, I said jazz, from Jesse. Presumably in honor of Wes Montgomery, Jesse shows off his smooth guitar-playing in a fast paced song featuring a standup bass and drummer. About two thirds into the track, the bassist (I assume is Jesse) plays a killer solo.



"Please Let Me Go" features a female lead vocal in a bluesy/country song, while that reminds me alittle of "I Miss" and "You Don't Love Me the Same" from Bare My Naked Soul.



"You Have a Friend" is a light song about Jesse encouraging a friend to count on his friendship. Jesse sings in his traditional 'psuedo-falsetto' with female backing vocals on the choruses. This is very easy to listen to and let the vibe just wash over you.



"Letters From a Soldier" is a wonderful ballad about a soldier professing his love for his soulmate, and praying that their love will be enough to bring him back safely to her. It encompasses many of the emotions (I imagine) a soldier must have to motivate him/her to push through the hells of conflict, and reason to survive. Simply beautiful.



"In The Key of Nudity" is a hard driving rock instrumental. Although very catchy, it does get alittle monotonous with very minimal variation from the aggressive beat and melody.



"Peace Be With You" is bluesy insrumental. A nice way to end the compilation. It has a "I'll catch you all later" feel to it.



Needless to say, I am really enjoying Verbal Penetration. If forced to choose, I prefer the first disc, particularly since it contains more music. I find the social and political messages to be interesting in that they provide greater insight into what Jesse thinks/believes/is concerned about. I must admit that my impressions of Jesse were based on the few interviews he did back in the late 80's and early 90's where he seemed to mumble his responses and offered very insight beyond his music. I vividly remember an episode of Video Soul (with Donnie Simpson on BET) where he came across as flaky. It appears, that with age, he has grown in both intellect and confidence to a point where he is comfortable espousing his views and trying to impart change. His apparent adoration of Curtis Mayfield certainly seems to be a strong influence.



Well, enough of my rambling. I hope everyone enjoys Verbal Penetration as much as I do. Can't wait to see Jesse live (which he promises in Reflections).



If you don't have this yet, track it down --- NOW.

"

Curt Jones for Jesse Johnson

George Curtis Jones | 02/28/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This project is top shelf. Jesse Johnson is one of the best and yet undersung guitarists in the business. Jesse takes us back to a time when artists made statements and their music reflected their observations of the times they were in.

Thanks to the internet, artists are free to express themselves freely without being concerned about what record company's / promotional departments have to say. It's easy math, people love good music and can make up their own minds about what they like. This is an incredible body of work, anyone who loves good music / soul, blues, rock, funk, should love this. An amazing producer/songwriter. Grade a+ guitarist!"