Fifty years into his storied career, Garland Jeffreys is enjoying the kind of creative second wind most artists can only hope for the first time around, earning a swarm of critical accolades and experiencing his most prolific stretch in decades. 'Truth Serum,' his second album in two years, is a cri de c ur, a stripped-down tone poem from an artist taking his rightful and hard-earned place in the musical pantheon. More than a dozen years had passed without an American album from Jeffreys when he came roaring back into the spotlight with 2011's 'The King of In Between.' Hailed by NPR as as good a classic roots rock record as you re going to hear from anybody, the record which featured an appearance by old pal Lou Reed earned raves from The New Yorker to USA Today and led to a performance on Letterman, as well as appearances onstage with everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Levon Helm. Written on guitar and demoed into a portable cassette player, working with the same core of musicians from 'The King of In Between' including Steve Jordan and Larry Campbell, along with Zev Katz, Duke Levine and Brian Mitchell. The result is an album that stands among Jeffreys' very finest. The record is a call to arms, a reflection on the world we live in and a vision of the world we owe it to ourselves to pursue. It's the unvarnished declaration of a man whose time has come
M**Y
Could be Garland's best ever
A quick but very welcome follow up to "The King Of Inbetween" Truth Serum could well be Garland Jeffreys best album ever. A superb collection of songs from a man who has been making great albums since the early 70's. His voice is as strong as ever and he looks great on the cover, not bad for a 70 year old!Truth Serum has a mixture of rock, reggae, blues and soul and Garland tackles all styles with class and feeling. Dragons To Slay is a song that his old friend Bob Marley would have been be proud of, It's What I Am, Ship Of Fools and Far Far Away are superbly crafted soulful songs that are good as anything else you are likely to hear.This is a fantastic album and is highly recommended for anyone who appreciates quality songs.
A**E
great album....
have loved this guys music since the late 70s....he is 70 now and still rocking....wonderful lyricist and social commentator......I finally got the pleasure of seeing him at the Jazz Cafe last year......he and the band were great and he's playing St Pancras Old Church in February and I have my tickets......I have all of Garlands albums and love everyone one of them....he should have been a bigger star
M**E
Five Stars
good
S**N
Five Stars
Great album thanks
S**N
Satisfying mixture
This cd is a mixture of what this man is about, there's a little something for everyone, a little reggae, a little soul and a touch of blues. Garland is what I would describe as a 'jobbing musician' talented as both a songster and writer of songs but perhaps has not had the opportunity to get the sort of exposure that he deserves. The title track 'Truth Serum' is I think the best on the cd, its a laid black bluesy number that resonates of the South, 'Dragons to Slay' is a upbeat peace which has a reggae feel to it. On the track 'It's What I am ' you could be listening to Mick Jagger in his early years, (Ruby Tuesday). This cd I would describe as easy on the ears, a little bit of a mixture, but worth the effort.
A**N
Five Stars
CD GOOD
J**S
Five Stars
Ok
D**I
Five Stars
good as usual
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