Same duo, quite different albums from mid-60's...
William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 05/04/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a big fan of Jim and Jean's "Changes" LP, which offered some Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan songs in higher-quality vocals than the composers themselves could manage. I don't find "People World" to be nearly as interesting, but others might like it better than "Changes". To me, "People World" has a psychedelic rock aura which no longer appeals to my tastes. The more folky harmonies on "Changes" hold up better, to my ears. Jim and Jean were capable of near-perfection some of the time, especially with, as an earlier reviewer notes, "The Bells" and "Crucifixion." Jim Glover is still actively singing in and around Sarasota, Florida, and even put out a CD last year which had some strong liberal political protest, some humor, and a couple of sweet new songs on it. If you recall this duo from their few years in the limelight of the mid-60's, this CD will bring back memories of a vital time in American music."
Much better than most of what has come done from those days
J. C Clark | Overland Park, KS United States | 04/27/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have posted a number of pages about Jim & Jean on my web site, and in fact, feel partially responsible for the existence of this CD. I pushed both the compiler and Collector's Choice. And it was worth it. I have heard from many J&J fans through my site, all of whom were eager to see this release. I, however, came to Jim & Jean though their folky first LP, which I wish was represented on this collection. But oh well, it is a mighty good trip back in time.
Jim Glover and Phil Ochs were college roommates. Phil started writing songs, Jim went to New York, met and married Jean, and started performing in the smoky coffee houses in the city. Their first LP, released about 1965, was all covers, including a sensational performance of Phil's setting of Poe's The Bells. But Jim wrote more, and they became more political and more strident. Unfortunately, the folk scene was fading, and though they released two fine LPs in a rock/folk sort of way, they never managed to capture an audience, and faded away. But left this work behind.
Much of the 60s music being played today seems to be for people refusing to grow up and leave their childhoods behind. But this music was unknown to me when I first heard it, so it is not nostalgia that makes me like it. It is quite good. Not all of it. But much of it. The lyrics are sometimes clouded by a bit of smoke, the political sentiments sound as out-of-date as an Edison 78, and the earnest and self-important poutiness is more than I can bear. But as mid-60s pop/folk music, this is quite listenable.
Crucifixion was their most well-known song back then, and justifiably so. The lyrics are powerful and poetic, the performance strong and convincing. Jim plays and sings as if this matters. But other treasures are all over. Flower Lady, Get Out of My Mind, and a compelling version of Dylan's Lay Down Your Weary Tune are all strong. Success could have been a hit for The Monkees; snappy, well-written, with a delightful arrangement, it captures its time and place and sentiment perfectly. And several others make the cut as songs that still bear listening nearly 40 years later."
Great to have on CD
Frank C. Branchini | Edgewater, MD USA | 09/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jean and Jim Glover were notable for their friendship with the great anti-war folksinger Phil Ochs. They reportedly introduce Ochs to his wife and they covered seven of his songs on their three albums. They were married and stopped working together after their marriage ended. Jim Glover is still around, living in Florida and very active in the peace movement and still performing anti-war songs.
People World was a minor hit of the late sixties. The beautiful orchestration on the tune was unusual for the time and still sounds great. It is interesting and captivating. The combination of Phil Ochs' Rhythms of Revolution with Hang on Sloopy, Like A Rolling Stone, and Guantanamera is brilliant. Changes was not quite as interesting as People World.
If you have fond memories of Jim and Jean you will enjoy this release.
"
Track Listings (23) - Disc #1