Ken Jameson
It's Your Life

Review By Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
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  Ken Jameson is not in this business to monkey around. The cover of his new CD It's Your Life may imply that but it is simply not the case.

Jameson makes his way through fourteen tracks, some lighthearted and others more serious, that are full of rock-pop melodies and rhythms furnished by his keyboard and vocal talents. He plays piano, the Hammond B3, and a Rhodes to get all of the sounds to merge within each composition. His lyrics fit nicely between the music he creates with the combination of keyboards, programming, and help from various capable musicians that play guitar, bass, percussion, and saxophone. This mix of various instruments coupled with Jameson's pleasant vocal style makes for an enjoyable CD with a nice variety of styles, from the upbeat rock-pop opener "It's Your Life" to the bluesy and funky "One More Thing."

The other factor besides good music is lyrics that make sense. They are simple and direct, and what do you know, you can actually understand what he is singing! This is actually a rarity these days, as I am sure you have noticed if you listen to as many types of music as I do. Jameson is a serious musician that looks at the lighter side of every day domestic life like on the songs "Minivan," which is a humorous take on a guy with a family looking for past freedoms that are long gone. He knows someday he will have his own car again and the ability to jump in and go for cruise will be easy and without worry when the kids are all grown and on their own. Anyone with kids can understand this viewpoint, but then again when you listen to "My Son," it becomes obvious just how important family is. Then there are the warm heartrending songs like "She's My Lady" and "I'll Give It To You." These tracks are pleasing in a musical sense but also hit the soft spot in your heart just right.

Ken Jameson sounds like a regular guy that happens to have extraordinary talents illustrated quite well on this CD. This was a lot of fun to listen to and I enjoyed all the aspects that made it what it is.

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