Reissue of 1985 solo album for A&M by The Time's former guitarist, his first for the label & overall. Includes the chart hits 'I Want My Girl' & 'Be Your Man'. Eight tracks total.
CD Reviews
Morado | cincinnati, ohio USA | 05/30/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I saw Jesse in concert in the eighties, and he totally rocked! I love the whole Minneapolis scene; Prince, The Time, The Family, Sheila E., Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis, and of course Jesse Johnson. His debut is full of funky bass and snappy synths with a killer production/mix. He holds his own vocally as well.My favorite songs include: "Be Your Man", "I Want My Girl", "Let's Have Some Fun", and "Can You Help Me?".I highly recommend anything and everything from this era. It's a blast!"
I wore this album out the summer of 85
E. D. Daniels | tampa, florida United States | 06/03/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of the best of the post minnepolis sound Jesse Johnson (of the legendary funk band The Time) released this album soon after the band disbanded after "Purple Rain" in 84. After buying the album in July of 85 I frankly wore it out having to buy another later that year, the grooves are smoking with the minnepolis sound all over it with snyths and guitar that quakes with grooves. Jesse is no Prince on the vocal front but his singing is more than solid on his first solo album with the highlight being "Can You Help Me" with it's great solo. Johnson was one of the great guitar players of the 80'sand this album more than proves it and he is even a better songwriter than most people gave him credit for."
Jesse Jonhson
Serakh Per-hotep | MPLS, MN | 12/29/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This reissue of this classic was a wise decision by the powers that be. Jesse is truely an under appreciated musical genuis; legend! Yes, his friends ( o(-> , Jimmy & Terry, Morris, Andre Cymone, and Alexander) are equally as talented, but Mr. Johnson took our sound (Mpls. sound) to new heights in the era of watered down format of R&B. His albums are a must for any true lover of authentic soul, blues, rock, and funk! Enjoy!"
That distinctive Minneapolis sound.
Serakh Per-hotep | 11/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you want to go back to the days of stacey adams' shoes, baggy dress pants, and absolutely cool guitar artists, this is the album for you. Jesse brings out that special style that reminds us all of Prince, Morris Day, Sheila E., Wendy & Lisa, Vanity, and Apollonia. Jesse Johnson's Revue demonstrates the cross-over power of that wonderful Minn. sound! Great listening. Buy it and bring the mid-80's to life again."
Jesse Johnson's Revue is Renewed
Serakh Per-hotep | 05/06/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the classic debut album from one of the unsung guitar heroes from the legendary Miineapolis Funk scene. Several artists got their careers started through working for or with Prince in some form or another. Few are as talented as Jesse. On this album he sticks to the solid eighties funk format that put Minneapolis on the musical map. "Be Your Man" is an unforgettable dance tune with a bass line that won't quit. It was a hit that showed that Jesse had what it took to go solo. "I Want My Girl" sounds like a teenage love song that you have tosing along with. "Can You Help Me" gives us the hard edged funk with the scorching guitar work that Jesse is most remembered (and missed) for. Other tunes like "She Won't Let Go" and "Special Love" are underground new wave classics that any self respecting Prince-o-phile will list among the best overlooked songs. Overall this album does not break any new ground but goes further to perfect the funk genre and sell a truckload of records. Why A&M let it go out of print for so many years is beyond me. I would have preferred that Jesse stretch out on guitar a bit more but his last effort gives you planty of that. Unfortunately, that record - Bare My Naked Soul from 1996 - has gone out or print. Buy both to hear some good music from a real muscian in this dreadful age of rap and no real rock."
