Just in time for the holiday season (as they say) The Jigsaw Seen has released their latest album Winterland. For those of you who were too busy shopping to notice, The Jigsaw Seen is an L.A. band founded in 1988 by lead singer (and former United States Of Existence artist) Dennis Davison and guitarist Jonathan Lea. Their debut disc, the Get Hip Records single “Jim Is The Devil”, harkens back to 1989.
This is not their first seasonal selection, however, as they released “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” on the Skyclad Record label in 1989. (Their full-length premiere platter, Shortcut Through Clown Alley, was also released on this label in 1990.) Their most recent roster includes Davison (lead vocals/primary songwriting), Lea (guitar), Tom Currier (bass) and Teddy (Yipes) Freese (drums).
Their new recording, Winterland, contains ten cool Christmas cuts. The lead-in “What About Christmas” sets the tone with a tune vaguely reminiscent of certain classic 1980s bands. Davison not only sings lead but also takes acoustic guitar and percussion duties here. Currie covers keyboards on this one while Lea adds bass and mellotron to his resume.
The second selection is “December”. This is not a cover the 1995 hit by Collective Soul. This one is an original written by Lea. Davison takes over on mellotron and percussion on this one demonstrating once more that this talented team is made up of multiple multi-instrumentalists.
“Snow Angels Of Pigtown” follows with a slightly unusual song that makes snow angels almost mythic. It’s highlighted by the inclusion of Lea’s e-bow and vibrato work and Currier’s touch of percussion. “Woman Loves The Season” then comes in with Davison on arp axxe and guest artist the Burning Sensations’ Morley Bartnoff on the organ creating a cut that is somehow similar to something by Gene Clark.
The “Critic’s Choice”, however, goes to “Candy Cane" which features “auxiliary member” The Last’s David Nolte on piano (and for some reason reminds your rockin’ reviewer of his post Christmas break memories with his Penn State college buddies). It’s a different take on the holiday season.
“Circle Of Steel” is noteworthy for several reasons. The legendary Dave Davies of The Kinks guests on harmony vocals, Currier does double-duty on bass and piano and Davison again brings in the arp axxe. It’s an unusual, unique cover of a Gordon Lightfoot song.
The next number is “Christmas Behind Me”. Here is something we need more of, folks. Songs that look back on Christmas are in short supply. It also contains an underlying message about starting over as well.
“First Day Of The New Year” follows this and also focuses on moving on after the holidays. This piano-driven piece on the uncertainty of the future features an encore performance by Bartnoff and leads into “Dreams Of Spring”.
This optimistic track again features Bartnoff in a positive piece that breaks away from the winter holiday theme for a musical moment. The work is highlighted by the inclusion of a female choir at the outro thanks to Kristi Callan and Theresa O’Donoghue. The closing cut returns us to our seasonal theme with “Winterland’s Gone”. This includes a beautiful blend of acoustic guitars bass clarinet and flute that features Lisa (Candypants) Jenio on flute and Kira Vollman on bass clarinet in an almost nostalgic reflection on the time.
The album was mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Peter Mew (The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour, Pink Floyd’s Ummagumma). The album was mixed and released in multiple media forms and includes a poster of the album cover art, a sleeve for the album and/or CD and even a pinch of snow to set the musical mood. The entire presentation is a wonderful mix of the contemporary and the classic.
Winterland is more than a concept album. It is, quite simply, a good concept album that reflects a lot of time and effort. It contains material reminiscent of such acts as Tears For Fears and Love and yet refreshingly still distinct when compared to the usual Christmas fair of late. Winterland is truly worthy of being included on anyone’s playlist this and every “December”.
My name is Phoenix and . . . that’s the bottom line.
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