Paul Jackson Jr - Still Small Voice (13 tracks) +Album Reviews

Small Voice, Big Guitar

Anthony G Ramirez Jr | Mission Hills, Ca United States | 06/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What do Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Chicago, George Benson, Luther Vandross, Al Jarreau, Lionel Richie, James Ingram The Pointer Sisters, Anita Baker, even the American Idol 2 Soundtrack have in common? Yeah that's right Paul Jackson Jr. He has played guitar on so many of your favorite songs but is damanding respect as a solo artist.
On this CD, songs like DIOS de BENDIGA adds a little latin vibe to the mix of smooth jazz cuts like the remake of the classic Spinners cut IT'S A SHAME and what I like to call the park songs: ATHENS PARK, CRYSTAL PARK, and SPORTMAN'S PARK. Also of note is Paul's version of Brian McKnight's BACK AT ONE.
As always Paul recruits the best of musicians such as Brian Culbertson, Jeff Lorber, Billy Preston, Sheila E., Patrice Rushen, Abe Laboriel, and Gerald Albright. All who are great Artists in their own right.
As a musician myself I have nothing but praise for Paul's playing. He is a well schooled guitarist and the music on this CD display's just that. If you want great smooth jazz guitar with a tad of funk then this is your CD. So, come on and give Paul the props he well deserves. Pick up STILL SMALL VOICE and give Paul the BIG VOICE he's been looking for."

Great CD, but with a few reservations

Mark Mohr | Spokane, WA United States | 06/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Still Small Voice" is a wonderful CD and Paul Jackson, Jr. is one heck of a guitar player. I had listened to his music several years ago but had fallen "out of touch" with his stuff and it was great to rediscover him on this new CD. This guy can flat out PLAY GUITAR!!!! He has a unique sound and this disc cooks along nicely. I only wish the first track was "Walkin'" (an infectious groove that hypnotically goes on and on and on)instead of the title track. I've always wondered why most artists bury the best track instead of leading off with it. I have one pet peeve that Several other amazon.com reviewers have mentioned online before: Why do "smooth jazz" instrumentalists screw up a good CD with vocals? Jackson is guilty here of that. Things are perking along nicely when, all of a sudden, you here his son's voice on "Park Tour Intro" and then about :40 of Jackson explaining his "Park medley." Needless. Worthless. Throws the groove off!!! Why rattle your listeners with this unexpected little ditty? Probably nothing more than a vanity thing but it simply doesn't belong here. Moving on: the park medley was quite nice...almost reminded me of a Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds background groove in places. "Changed" also took me by surprise. The vocals threw me for a loop at first. Then, I read the liner notes and learned how religious Jackson is. I'm guessing that "Changed" is synonymous (in a religious sense) with "Saved." "Dios te Dendica" has a latin flair that seems a little out of place here. I like this CD a lot, but it's a little uneven and covers too many musical bases to suit me. I'll still check out some of Jackson's earlier work. 4 Stars....on musical ability. He loses 1 star on the lack of a total smooth jazz CD."

Outstanding!!!

Dennis Miller | Farmington, New Mexico United States | 06/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the best session guitarists has finally done it. This album should get at least a 2004 Grammy nomination."

Superb talent -- collection is a little inconsistent

Dennis Miller | 04/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Paul Jackson Jr. is a superb talent, with a style that reminds me of George Benson at his best. I especially love the rendition of It's A Shame (the Spinners hit from the 70's). I wanted to love this CD, but the collection is inconsistent. In the end, there a just a few too many places where songs get repetative and uninteresting. Dont get me wrong, there is some wonderful music here, mostly in a smooth-jazz genre. But there just isnt not enough great stuff to warrant 5 stars and uninterrupted listening pleasure."

Excellent smooth Jazz at its best!

scherf.com | Las Vegas, NV USA | 04/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With "Still Small Voice" Paul Jackson Jr. has delivered one of these classic smooth jazz albums that hopefully will also be played on radio for many, many years to come. Every true smooth jazz connoisseur will fall in love with the music of Paul Jackson Jr. as it reminds us a lot of George Benson and more recently of Norman Brown. He's just a master of his instrument. Apparently he plays a semi-hollow Gibson which has a little bit more edge to it than the commonly used full hollowbody jazz boxes which e.g. George Benson uses ... and actually I like Paul's use of the semi-hollow Gibson as he uses it in a spirited way in the right places, while the overall tone remains smooth.

Once again I think that this CD has been overlooked so far and I only found it by "accident" so to speak. It also seems that while Paul has garnered lots of recognition with the pros in the studios over the years, the general public has not yet discovered Paul Jackson Jr. and I sure hope that this CD will accomplish that.

In the huge quantity of music being produced these days, it's hard to find a real gem and once you find one, it's like the eagerly sought after reward at the end of an extensive treasure hunt through the jungle.

I'll keep this CD in my car in the rotation of my 6-disc player and I'm sure I'll listen to it dozens of times over the next few months -- it's really great music. Truly a job well done!"

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	Paul Jackson Jr. Still Small Voice Genres: Jazz, Pop Track Listings (13) - Disc #1 Still Small Voice Blue Note Dios Te Bendiga Walkin' It's A Shame Park Tour Intro Athens Park Crystal Park Sportsman Park 1:15 Lillian Changed Back At One
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