Dear All,
Recorded Live at Pizza Express Jazz Club - September 27, 2008
Featuring PJ Phillips on bass, John Miller on drums, and David McAlmont on vocals.
From MUSIC-NEWS.COM:
"With one of the most incredible voices I’ve heard in ages and the kind of looks that made me get giddy and giggle far too much (quite thankful to Sony for not recording that) there’s little doubt he’ll make an impact on the UK singer/songwriter scene.
We’ve been a little sparse on that front of late (Leon Jackon anyone?) and a charismatic young man is always welcome. Regen is also quite the expert when it comes to melodies that make girls go weak at the knees and, maybe cleverly, introduces each one with a story that could melt even Krisitin Scott Thomas’ heart.
Special guest David McAlmont (he of McAlmont and Butler fame) was on top form and has transformed himself from falsetto style 'Yes' guy to credible and, rather sexy, soul singer.
I’ve been converted. I’m a Jon Regen fan. A mesmerizing artist with the charisma and voice to captivate even an audience of hungry jazz fan."
From SNOB'S MUSIC:
"Kicking off with Billy Joel-style piano rock title track, the album morphs as it progresses. Funky uptempo numbers ("Close To Me") give way to Elvis Costello-worthy ballads ("Better Days").
Over repeated listenings the album begins to yield more and more of its secrets to you. Strings here, guitar flair there originally go unnoticed. But it's these layers of sound that give the music a nocturnal appeal."
From BLOGCRITICS.ORG:
"Right from the opening chords rippling from the keys of his piano on the title track, Let It Go, which opens the disc, you know you're about to experience something quite a bit different from what you'd expect from a piano playing pop singer.
This is a well crafted and finely executed album of songs blending elements of pop and jazz music. The real pity is that if more people heard music like this they wouldn't settle for what currently rides the top of the charts."
We're gearing-up for three nights at London's famed Pizza Express Jazz Club on Dean Street in Soho, September 25-27, 2008.
Joining me will be PJ Phillips on bass, and John Miller on drums, plus some very special guests.
Here's hoping to see you soon in London!
All my best,
JR
Dear All,
From BLOOMBERG.COM:
Hipper Than Usher, Hotter Than Duffy: New CDs by Stars to Watch
Here's an even fresher list of acts to watch that are every bit as good: Fleet Foxes, Jon Regen, Vincent and the Villains, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Josh Fix and Jessie Baylin.
"Only a few of the thousands of new CDs each year get much radio play, reviews and sales. I listen to about 1,000 a year. Many of the review copies I am sent are mediocre. So it's a rare, savory pleasure to be blown away by a new recording.
Most CDs I get are sent from record companies or PR agencies. I'll admit to being wary when an artist pitches material directly -- don't they have someone to do that for them?
This happened in the case of a handwritten note I received from Jon Regen. This pianist's no amateur: His CD ``Let It Go'' (Sandfish) features Andy Summers of the Police and Martha Wainwright. There are hints of Bruce Hornsby and Van Morrison about it and the songwriting lifts it a notch"
From COVER ME:
Jon Regen - Don't Stop Believin' (Journey)
Produced by Bob Mann, featuring Keith Carlock on drums and Zev Katz on Bass.
"Another ironic Journey cover…yech. This one’s a keeper though, not too mellow and keeping the strong melody of the original. Bonus points for rocking out the guitar fills on the keys!"
From TOKAFI.COM:
"Despite the star potential lending a helping hand, it is still the magnificent verses and glorious choruses which put their stamp on this record – as well as Regen’s voice, which unobtrusively claims center stage shining like silken sandpaper. In a way, therefore, “Let it Go” is another manifestation of the mystery and magic of music: You can tour the planet, sell thousands of records and grace the covers of glossy magazines, but no marketing budget in the world could make songs about the torture of wanting, the cruelty of love and the solitude of a room after she’s left sound this credible."
From POPDOSE.COM:
"Jon Regen is living the dream: Not only is the dude making music with pals like Andy Summers and Martha Wainwright on his new CD, Let it Go, he’s writing cover stories for the coolest mag for us ivory-oriented musicians out there, Keyboard.
His music is definitely on the sophisticated side of pop, as evidenced by Let It Go’s opening title cut. A little Dave Matthews vocal warble and a lot of the serious side of Ben Folds saturates the record... His style–and musical complexity–was influenced by his time with jazz players Jimmy Scott and Kenny Barron, and the pristine sound of the piano on the record can be attributed to Steinway giving him the keys to its storied warehouse, letting him record with whatever grand he pleased.
No question, Let it Go isn’t kids’ stuff, it’s for grownups. If you dig nuanced and introspective, music–in other words, the exact opposite of Fergie Ferg–and you also appreciate excellent piano work, check out Jon Regen. He’s your guy."
From THE COLD CUT:
"Jon Regen has just finished his European tour. You might remember my post about him a few months back- since then, Jon has been getting loads of positive write ups in blogs and other media, and an extremely strong response to his tour. He sent through a live recording of 'Let It Go', the first single from his recent album, 'Let It Go'. It's a nice version, and Jon, with the help of a two man band, switches things up."
Translated from SOCIALCLUB'S BLOG:
"There is a familiar warmth in the reassuring voice of Jon Regen, which leaves me pleasantly perplexed ... An obvious similarity with Sting, a key instrumental inspired by Keith Jarrett, changes to the Billy Joel tones of a non-concealed suspicion of Randy Newman who do not leave me indifferent. A native of New Jersey, Jon Regen, currently on tour across Europe, has released his first album, the elegant LET IT GO, whose mix has been entrusted to the British producer John Porter (BB King, The Smiths). The track that follows, "Better Days," is posted for listening below. It's a nice ballad, intimate and optimistic - perfect to accompany my coffee and the perfect weather these days!"
From MAINSTREAM ISN'T SO BAD...IS IT?
"I've been listening to Jon Regen for a few weeks now, and every time I'd listen I'd scratch my head wondering who he sounded like.
Until, that is, I read Andrew's thoughts on it over at Carry You Away. Of course - Marc Cohn! Good call Andrew. In terms of style, both men have got that bluesy / jazzy feel to them that carries the tunes. Strong piano playing, both in terms of presence as well as prowess..."
From RESIDENT MEDIA PUNDIT:
"Regen skillfully proves that he’s a force to be reckoned with. Sentimental ballads such as “Better Days” and “Photographs of You” are certain to pop on a soundtrack or a TV show in the near future and lead single “Let it Go,” certainly has a rollicking movement to it that would make Michael McDonald smile."
From ICKMUSIC.COM:
"From New Jersey’s favorite son to another New Jersey native with a penchant for writing beautiful and moving songs. When I said in my review of Let it Go that it felt like home, this was the song that earned it that description. There is something familiar and warm not just to the timbre of Jon’s voice, but the song itself in the way it wraps around you and lifts you up."
"Sometimes an album just hits the mark. Let it Go is one of those records. There is something to it that just feels like home. Jon Regen has taken on the singer/songwriter genre from a point of view not often seen. The New Jersey native has a Jazz pedigree but the heart of a pop songwriter with the ability to make words and music move your heart through the arc of a relationship’s highs and lows.
From the first notes of the opening title track through to aptly titled “The Last Song” there is no emotional stone left unturned. I really struggled with what tunes to share with you all as there are no duds here. I choose the heartfelt “Better Days” and the beautiful “Finding My Way Back to Me”. Check these out and pick up the record at the links below so you can tell all your friends that you were listening to this guy before he hit it big."
"Let It Go is a wonderful album - it's full of depth, emotion and feeling from the beginning to the end. I've found it to be a very relatable album, with songs such as Photographs of You and I Come Undone."
"Let It Go has high folkpop credibility, with production work from the same guys who work with Teddy Thompson and Ryan Adams, and support from Martha Wainwright on vocals and the distinctive guitarwork of Andy Summers of The Police, but Regen's original songwriting and stellar performance are the real find here."
