Product Description Gruff voiced singer Jon Dee Graham is a songwriter and intense guitar player likely to induce bone crushing rock and delicate ballads all in the same set. He's a former member of the Skunks and True Believers and has played guitar with Jon Doe, Exene, Calvin Russell and many more. Graham currently tours with his own band, solo acoustic or with the Austin supergroup The Resentments. .com Jon Dee Graham might be considered a late bloomer, a middle-aged songwriter who has drawn from a wealth of experience to create the richest music of a veteran career. Too often characterized as an Alejandro Escovedo sideman (in the True Believers and again in Escovedo's current band) or a Tom Waits soundalike, he shows greater creative range and emotional depth here than ever. "Something Wonderful" sounds like an open-armed embrace of all of life's riches, while the opening "Jubilee" has the melodic lilt, harmonic uplift, and guitar jangle of classic Byrds. From the deep-soul balladry of "Swept Away" to the solo acoustic intimacy of "O Dearest One," Graham leaves himself open, lays himself bare. "Remain" is as tender as a lullaby; "Beloved Garden" is as reverent as prayer. Yet the slide-driven "Holes" shows why Graham has long been in demand as a guitarist for hire, while the hard-riffing propulsion of "Bonaparte" finds him rocking as powerfully as he ever has. --Don McLeese
J**N
Another Favorite
I haven't played any music in my car except for this album for over a month. There's something special in all of Jon Dee's music that you should definitely check out if you haven't already.
R**H
Best thing I've heard in a long time!
In March 2006, I had the good fortune to spend four days in Austin with my best friend, checking out more than 50 bands at the SXSW Festival. Most of the acts were new to me, and several were really good. Best of all, though, was Austin local Jon Dee Graham, who sings, plays guitar and writes songs as well as John Fogerty (maybe better). We saw Graham take a noisy barroom crowd and awe it to silence with his amazing ballad about disappearing, "Swept Away." Then he rocked us hard with "Tie A Knot" before sending us on our way with the infectiously upbeat "Something Wonderful." Those tracks are all here. Other gems from "Full" include "Amsterdam," a cheerful song about a cheerful place, "Jubilee" (which reminds me of Tommy Tutone's incredibly catchy "867-5309"), "Bonaparte" and "Holes." Graham's tunes will grab you and his lyrics will make you laugh, or think, or both. I'm writing this in April, but strongly suspect that by the end of December I'll still think of "Full" as my favorite album all year.
D**S
Almost Live
Some of these songs I had heard back in October in an acoustic set Jon Dee performed in Chicago with fellow "Resentments" band mate Scrappy Jud Newcomb. "Swept Away" and "Tie a Knot" were the standouts of his new stuff in that show as they are on this album. That's not to shortchange the other 10 songs on the CD. They are as great and varied as those you would find on any other JDG disc. Personal, heartfelt songs with great hooks and phenomenal guitar playing. Jon Dee is never sappy but he is also never afraid to be sentimental in his songwriting as evidenced in "Oh Dearest One" and "Majesty of Love".(from "The Great Battle") Jon Dee Graham writes about love, regret, and hope as only we middle-aged men can. He knows what he's talking about. I must say that I really like the sound of this effort as well. I have always thought that Jon Dee's studio stuff paled in comparison to what I have heard him play live. This album has an open, almost breathless sound to it as he stops one song and goes right into the next. I can't think of a better one-two punch on an album than the desperate cry of "Swept Away" followed by the hopeful "Something Wonderful". That's always been his way. Jon Dee Graham might pull the rug out from under you but, at least he'll give you a hand up.
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