The name of Peter Wolf didn't sound that familiar. But the cover I knew I had seen in one of those All Time Greatest lists (#427 on Rolling Stone's Top 500). Had I known he was the lead singer of J. Gelis Band I may not have bothered to pick this one up. I mean, J.Gelis had that silly country-pop hit "Centerfold". But I'm glad I got it, because it's a thousand times better than his old band was (at least the 80's version of it). The music is a timeless mix of country, soul, blues and rock'n'roll that acts as a veritable showcase of an album for everything that's good about American music. Opener "Growin' Pain" is a Dylan-meets-J.J. Cale song with mandolins and "Nothing But The Wheel" sounds like a brother of the Rolling Stones' "Dead Flowers". Well, no wonder: That's Mick Jagger singing backing vocals there. "A Lot Of Good Ones Gone" is a soulful ballad with a Van Morrison vibe and "Never Like This Before" a Stones-like rock and soul romp. "Run Silent, Run Deep" is a lyrical Dylanesque track with a beautiful piano and violin. Otis Rush's "Homework" is an absolute delight with its Tom Waits-like delivery, "Five O'Clock Angel" a forlorn ballad and "Hey Jordan" folk-soul. "Too Close Together" is a raucous modern blues with Keith Richards on guitar and backing vocals and "Some Things You Don't Want To Know" (this time with Steve Earle) honky-tonk country. "Oh Marianne" is Mexican-flavored doo-wop and "Sleepless" a modern country soul ballad with pedal steel guitar and great horns. It's often said - but rarely true - about an album that it's all killer no filler. Well, Peter Wolf's "Sleepless" is the real thing. Not only that, it transcends genres creating what I hitherto will call an Americana Panorama (catchy name or what?) of music. I'm going to be checking more of Mr. Wolf's solo work. Who knows, I might even go back to old J. Gelis Band CD's to listen to them with fresh ears...***** for Homework **** for Growin' Pain, Nothing But The Wheel, A Lot Of Good Ones Gone, Run Silent, Run Deep, Too Close Together, Oh Marianne *** for Never Like This Before, Five O'Clock Angel, Hey Jordan, Some Things You Don't Want To Know, Sleepless Saturday, 7 February 2015
Peter Wolf "Sleepless" 2002****
The name of Peter Wolf didn't sound that familiar. But the cover I knew I had seen in one of those All Time Greatest lists (#427 on Rolling Stone's Top 500). Had I known he was the lead singer of J. Gelis Band I may not have bothered to pick this one up. I mean, J.Gelis had that silly country-pop hit "Centerfold". But I'm glad I got it, because it's a thousand times better than his old band was (at least the 80's version of it). The music is a timeless mix of country, soul, blues and rock'n'roll that acts as a veritable showcase of an album for everything that's good about American music. Opener "Growin' Pain" is a Dylan-meets-J.J. Cale song with mandolins and "Nothing But The Wheel" sounds like a brother of the Rolling Stones' "Dead Flowers". Well, no wonder: That's Mick Jagger singing backing vocals there. "A Lot Of Good Ones Gone" is a soulful ballad with a Van Morrison vibe and "Never Like This Before" a Stones-like rock and soul romp. "Run Silent, Run Deep" is a lyrical Dylanesque track with a beautiful piano and violin. Otis Rush's "Homework" is an absolute delight with its Tom Waits-like delivery, "Five O'Clock Angel" a forlorn ballad and "Hey Jordan" folk-soul. "Too Close Together" is a raucous modern blues with Keith Richards on guitar and backing vocals and "Some Things You Don't Want To Know" (this time with Steve Earle) honky-tonk country. "Oh Marianne" is Mexican-flavored doo-wop and "Sleepless" a modern country soul ballad with pedal steel guitar and great horns. It's often said - but rarely true - about an album that it's all killer no filler. Well, Peter Wolf's "Sleepless" is the real thing. Not only that, it transcends genres creating what I hitherto will call an Americana Panorama (catchy name or what?) of music. I'm going to be checking more of Mr. Wolf's solo work. Who knows, I might even go back to old J. Gelis Band CD's to listen to them with fresh ears...***** for Homework **** for Growin' Pain, Nothing But The Wheel, A Lot Of Good Ones Gone, Run Silent, Run Deep, Too Close Together, Oh Marianne *** for Never Like This Before, Five O'Clock Angel, Hey Jordan, Some Things You Don't Want To Know, Sleepless 
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