In
the world scheme of things Australia is known for its passionate
rock and rolling, and this is one of the great Australian rock albums.
Somewhere in the mid Seventies Australian rock forged an invisible
bond with adrenalin pumping New York rock - bands like the New York
Dolls, the Cramps and the Fleshtones - fuelling music like Radio
Birdman, Birthday Party and the Beasts Of Bourbon. This record is
part of that. Spencer P Jones himself arrived in Australia from
New Zealand, and distinguished himself in the early Eighties with
the Johnnies and as one of founding Beasts of Bourbon. Today, with
another of the Beast alumni Charlie Owens, he's one of Australian
rock's most prominent and in-demand guitarists, currently a regular
Paul Kelly Band member. Back in '94 Spence released a growling,
introspective country rock album, 'Rumour Of Death', a little unsure
about the sound of his own voice but backing his vocals with strong
songwriting, sparce arrangements, and a great performance. Six years
on he's comfortable with the sound of his voice. He's kept up his
own band, in between playing guitar for others. Six years on 'The
Last Gasp' songs found him in an angry, aggressive mood. Things
were happening in his personal life which he needed to expel. When
the chance came to put them on record he was ready. The CD sounds
like what it is, a studio full of musicians, two blaring guitars,
bass, drums, brass section, organ and piano, all at it around Spence's
characteristic voice. You can feel the smoky bar rooms this music
was born in. The atmosphere is thick with music and attitude. Most
of the songs are Spencer's own. The exceptions are as important
as the rest. Spencer's attitude to cover versions is that you play
other people's songs either out of respect, or because you want
to turn people on to great music you've discovered. The respect
song on 'The Last Gasp' is 'Time', by 70s New York legend Richard
Hell. Two other songs are by Mick Collins, a modern day New York
musician Spence is a huge fan of. Collins' 'Let Me Put It In' is
an absolute rock gem, kinda-dirty kinda-funny . His championship
of two New York rocks from decades apart inside his own music tells
you that Spencer P Jones is no fashion statement. When you hear
real rock you know it. And this is it.
In
the world scheme of things Australia is known for its passionate
rock and rolling, and this is one of the great Australian rock albums.
Somewhere in the mid Seventies Australian rock forged an invisible
bond with adrenalin pumping New York rock - bands like the New York
Dolls, the Cramps and the Fleshtones - fuelling music like Radio
Birdman, Birthday Party and the Beasts Of Bourbon. This record is
part of that. Spencer P Jones himself arrived in Australia from
New Zealand, and distinguished himself in the early Eighties with
the Johnnies and as one of founding Beasts of Bourbon. Today, with
another of the Beast alumni Charlie Owens, he's one of Australian
rock's most prominent and in-demand guitarists, currently a regular
Paul Kelly Band member. Back in '94 Spence released a growling,
introspective country rock album, 'Rumour Of Death', a little unsure
about the sound of his own voice but backing his vocals with strong
songwriting, sparce arrangements, and a great performance. Six years
on he's comfortable with the sound of his voice. He's kept up his
own band, in between playing guitar for others. Six years on 'The
Last Gasp' songs found him in an angry, aggressive mood. Things
were happening in his personal life which he needed to expel. When
the chance came to put them on record he was ready. The CD sounds
like what it is, a studio full of musicians, two blaring guitars,
bass, drums, brass section, organ and piano, all at it around Spence's
characteristic voice. You can feel the smoky bar rooms this music
was born in. The atmosphere is thick with music and attitude. Most
of the songs are Spencer's own. The exceptions are as important
as the rest. Spencer's attitude to cover versions is that you play
other people's songs either out of respect, or because you want
to turn people on to great music you've discovered. The respect
song on 'The Last Gasp' is 'Time', by 70s New York legend Richard
Hell. Two other songs are by Mick Collins, a modern day New York
musician Spence is a huge fan of. Collins' 'Let Me Put It In' is
an absolute rock gem, kinda-dirty kinda-funny . His championship
of two New York rocks from decades apart inside his own music tells
you that Spencer P Jones is no fashion statement. When you hear
real rock you know it. And this is it.