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Media Type: CD
Artist: EDWARDS,JONATHAN
Title: JONATHAN EDWARDS
Street Release Date: 04/02/1991
Domestic
Genre: ROCK/POP

It's taken more than a dozen years for Jonathan Edwards to take time off from his touring schedule and create a new studio CD, but it's been worth the wait. There's no question that Edwards remains a premiere troubadour of patient nature's wonders and the people who are part of life's cycle. Within the first thirty seconds of "Surrounded," the original that opens My Love Will Keep, the rich strum of an acoustic guitar, the sigh of a pedal steel guitar, and Edwards's gentle tenor enfold listeners in a sense of warmth and peace.

In the 40 years since Jonathan's bouncy but draft-defiant "Sunshine" from his debut LP became a Top 5 hit and gold record in 1971, the country- and bluegrass-influenced Edwards has released numerous albums, most recently live recordings, maintained his fan base with steady touring, and still found time for a temporary retirement or two and side careers as an actor, PBS documentary host, and other creative occupations.

Some of the CD's dozen songs will be familiar to concertgoers, but all shine like new with a lustrous acoustic ambience thanks to the co-production by Jonathan and Jim Begley, sympathetic guest appearances by award-winning bluegrass singer Claire Lynch, Duke Levine on understated electric guitar (among other instruments), vocalist Moondi Klein (formerly of the Seldom Scene), and Jonathan's daughter Grace.

Jonathan's five original songs on the CD include the tranquil "Surrounded," a similarly nature-centric "Johnny Blue Horizon" (written about John Denver), the raucous "Crazy Texas Woman," bluegrass romp "How Long," and "Lightkeeper," a celebration of Mother Ocean.

First among equals of the cover tunes is a gorgeous slow ballad arrangement of The Beatles' "She Loves You" that is more meditation than celebration. Other stand-outs include a wistful lament of US unemployment, "Everybody Works in China," an adaptation of Jesse Winchester's "Freewheeler," and the closing "Sailor's Prayer."

Jonathan's distinctive, country-inflected voice, multi-instrumental mastery (guitar, bass, harmonica, ukulele, mandolin) and superlative choice of material, arrangements and sidepersons were away from the studio for way too long. It's a good thing that his love, and ours, have kept so well and rewarded us with this superlative CD.

Jonathan Edwards is a sort of folk/country/rock singer who issued numerous albums throughout the 1970s, some of which have never seen the light of day on compact disc. Our previous issues of Lucky Day, Sailboat & Rockin' Chair have been big hits for us. We now proudly present one more of his albums for the first time anywhere on CD! Live! was originally issued in 1982 on Chronic Records. This was a small independent label and received limited distribution; so many fans may not even realize this album exists. They will be ecstatic when they hear about it, especially now that it is remastered for compact disc! Song selection includes Edwards' most famous hit - Sunshine - and his popular song Shanty, also known as the 5:00 Friday song to DJs across the country.

Perhaps best known for his 1971 hit, Sunshine, Jonathan Edwards has had a varied career working solo, with Emmylou Harris, The Seldom Scene and others over a forty year career. Once you hear Jonathan Edwards' strikingly rich, warm tenor voice, you'll want to hear it again and again. His latest CD, Rollin' Along is a beautiful live solo album featuring 20 unforgettable tracks of unadulterated, pure Jonathan Edwards, backing himself on guitar and harmonica.

With the success of our "Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboy" reissue a few years back, we thought it was time to delve back into Jonathan Edwards’ Atco album catalog for this nugget. Released in 1973, "Have a Good Time for Me" featured Edwards the singer and interpreter rather than the songwriter, as he covers the work of Jimmie Rodgers, Joe Dolce, Malcolm McKinney and Eric Lilljequist with a band to dream of: Al Anderson, David Bromberg, Bill Keith and Bill Elliot among others! The result was the most country album Jonathan had released to date, and, strange as it may sound for a collection of covers, his most personal as well.

Collectors' Choice Music reissue & remaster of long out print Atco/Atlantic Records release. Includes original artwork with added notes.

In 1957, the first album by husband and wife piano/vocal lounge/cabaret duo Jonathan & Darlene Edwards insinuated itself into the consciousness of cognescenti in the music business. Inspired by the boldly hit-and-miss singing style of Florence Foster Jenkins, the Edwards' enthusiastic but musically off-colour treatment of popular standards had listeners looking at each other with raised eyebrows wondering if they were serious. The album became something of a cult phenomenon, and a follow-up in 1960 cemented their success. By that time, of course, the secret was out ? J&D Edwards were, in fact, the hugely popular and brilliant singer Jo Stafford and her pianist/arranger husband Paul Weston, who had invented the Edwards as a private cabaret turn for friends. Jo's perfect pitch and Paul's technical brilliance enabled them to produce these hilariously not-quite-right renditions, their second album winning a Grammy for best comedy album. This collection includes the complete original albums ? ""The Piano Artistry of Jonathan Edwards"" and ""Jonathan & Darlene Edwards In Paris"" plus bonus tracks of the ""real"" Jo Stafford and Paul Weston, brought together on CD for the first time.

For the average recording artist assembling a Greatest Hits album is a relatively simple procedure - just putting together the ten or twelve most successful recordings the artist has enjoyed in his or her career. In the case of Jonathan and Darlene the selection is certainly far more complicated. Jonathan is of course firmly convinced that every track in their five albums is a real hit, and the process of picking the best fourteen for Volume One has been a difficult and trying one for him. The carefree abandon of their first PIANO ARTISTRY album, the Gallic sophistication of their PARIS album, the magical arrangements and Darlene's innovative sound effects of the SINGALONG, the nostalgic excellence of SONGS FOR SHEIKS AND FLAPPERS, and finally the swinging jazz of the DUKE AND FATS album all make for an extremely tortuous selective process. And then some of their younger fans insisted that their adventures with contemporary music be included. These were made during Jonathan's NOW period, where he brought his remarkable genius into full contact with the popular song of today. Darlene's remarkable effort on STAYIN' ALIVE, which required hospitalization for a few days after the recording session, is a testament to the dedication these artists bring to their work. ENJOY, and be on the lookout for Volume Two!