Description
The Longest Road is the debut album by the American rock band JAG, released on Wave Records in 1990, distributed by Benson Music Group. Also released in Europe on Spark Music. (The band’s name is an acronym for the band’s founder and lead singe, John Allan Garies.) The album was recorded between April 1989 and December 1989 by Lee Groitzsch at OmniSound Studios, Studio 19, Recording Arts Studio, and Downstage Studio in Nashville, Tennessee; and as well at EBS Studios in Spartanburg, South Carolina; with Billy Smiley of White Heart fame producing for bbk productions, inc. Mixed by Groitzsch and Smiley at Warner Brothers Studios in Nashville.
This is one impressive debut. A four piece band that hails from South Carolina, Jag has developed a fascinating sound that combines elements of arena rock such as appropriately aggressive rhythms and crunchy guitars with a musical backdrop of dreamy, ethereal keyboards. The overall effect is introspective but not placid, containing both the driving power of rock and a gentler, almost feather-light touch. What is most impressive is that these two seemingly diverse elements complement each other so well rather than cancelling each other out. Add to this lead singer Jag’s strong, soulful voice and a superb production job by Billy Smiley and what you have is an album that has strong appeal to rockers and dreamers alike. [Jerry Wilson, CCM, June 1990]
This is a classy debut album from a bunch of rockers from Carolina. More of a Gulf GTI than a Jag but a smooth classy ride none the less. If strong understated melodic rock is your bug, this is a must. The singer, Jag’s, voice is a joy on the line of a rehabilitated Joe Cocker. When supported by intelligent production from Billy Smiley, the sound is ethereal and haunting. The songs creep into your consciousness and carry you along with them (they are managed by Steady Wind – no missus please!) The lyrics of the songs are pretty standard fare but seem to fit in well with the genre. When hooked up to a good stereo, the words seem perfectly logical and well crafted, the sign of good writing. The sorts of soundscape painted here by the song’s swirling synthesisers, make this a great album to relax to late at night. If the next album is as good as this, auto John from all sorts of quarters will be hitting poor Jag. Still, I’m sure he’ll ride them out and hopefully find success with the band. File under “Rock” for driving dreamers. [Mark Falla, Cross Rhythms, April 1991]
Promo, Girder Music 2020 Re-issue
JAG is similar to bands like Liaison, Whiteheart, Nouveaux, The Brave, Idle Cure and Fighter. They are polished with a slick sound but also enough grit and guitar crunch to make them a favorite among Christian rock fans. They just might be the best under-promoted and under-appreciated AOR Hard Rock band of that era. Had their albums been released five years earlier, in the mid 80’s they would have been all over the radio and the band would have played main stage at all the Christian rock festivals. We are grateful for the opportunity to have these remastered 30 years later.
The Longest Road (1990) starts off strong, with a very Giant-like guitar intro and a serious White Heart-like rhythm. Again, the influence of both of these bands abound through the album. However, «Shake It Off», that was on that 45rpm made it onto this album and sets it apart. It’s got a feeling and movement more like a great U2 song. The actual song on the 45rpm is the exact version that was already on this original CD however the CD version had an extra 15 seconds of guitar added to the end that the 45rpm did not have. The 45rpm was 4:37 but the CD version was 4:52rpm.
CD tracklist:
01. Highest Place – 4:06
02. The Longest Road – 4:31
03. Smile Minded – 4:54
04. Shake It Off – 4:51
05. Empty Spaces, Quiet Places – 6:01
06. 21 Reasons – 4:33
07. Father Forever – 3:44
08. Even The Hardest Heart – 4:29
09. Follow His Heart – 3:56
10. The Other Side – 5:15
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Wave Records. Remastered and re-issued on CD by Girder Music in 2020, featuring 6 panel fold in Jewel Case, includes lyrics, enhanced cover, photos and more. Also released as a Limited Edition colored 180g 12-inch vinyl record.
[youtube_sc url=”” playlist=”-GeyY_XjbuY,7GXk6FPRtMw,6RQnxRK5M24,u5maezuoaJA,hH3WtgpGZH4,rX_kUJcB2es,CF_481DjjDQ,Qv74tgQ-ps0,uT_VUXEqiF8,-1UY3CDnffA” title=”JAG, The Longest Road – ” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
[youtube_sc url=”NSgF2C1qVn8″ title=”JAG – FIRE IN THE TEMPLE, THE ONLY WORLD, LONGEST ROAD (AOR HARD ROCK) JOURNEY, GIANT, WHITEHEART” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.