Jake Jacobs (not to be confused with singer/songwriter Jake Jacob) has been mixing his warm, relaxed vocals with a joyous blend of folk, rock and 1950s R&B-style harmony for decades, and on "A Lick and a Promise" he carries on that fine tradition in high style. "Rings" has a bluesy/folky acoustic guitar and an intimate feel; Stay In Shape" is a happy, upbeat rocker; "For No One But The Moon" is an affectionate look back at Jake's group harmony singing roots; and the gentle "Lullaby Of The Train" is both evocative and beautiful. Jake's musical partner from the 1960s, Bunky Skinner, adds vocal harmony on six tracks, and NRBQ's Terry Adams and Tom Ardolino lend a hand on "Just A Stone's Throw." I've always loved Jake's way with a lyric and he doesn't disappoint here. In "A Little Too Much" he slyly rhymes "I'm mixing drinks like Jackson Pollack" with "Now I'm paying for my frolic." And in the wistful "Locked Inside The City," he sings "I dream an awful lot 'bout watching dolphins from my yacht/ But see all I've got is locked inside the city." Like everything in Jake's criminally underappreciated back catalog, this is magical music for the heart, soul, mind and body.
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Murray Weinstock
‎"A Lick and a Promise" is a new CD made by my friend, Allan "Jake" Jacobs! I go back a ways with Jake, a Singer/Songwriter and Renaissance Man. I was a "Jewel" along with Kathy and Diana Mae in an incarnation of Jake and the Family Jewels! So I was very happy when he called to ask me to take part in this new album, recently released on CD Baby called "A Lick and a Promise." There are 16 songs that he wrote and produced and each song really captures my first recollections of the "Village," with its girls, bohemians, gypsies, writers, musicians and wondrous, nightly serendipity! I sang bass and some falsetto parts along with Angel Rissoff and Michael D'Amore on "For No One But the Moon," This is a song about guys singing harmonies in the street "For No One but the Moon." Well, we all hoped that a special gal might be listening! Each song is a gem, a jewel, a kernel of soul, dedicated to those musical inspirations of the day. Favorites were "Just a Stone's Throw" (from the street!) , "Annabellle," "A Little Too Much," and the lovely singing of Bunky, Jake's former singing partner who contributed on a number of songs. "Locked Inside the City," of course with some beautiful string work by Danny Mansolino!
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Hats off to Jake Jacobs & everyone else involved in this project! What a fine album this is all around! It's actually difficult to find a flaw. Jake has always been a unique, yet wonderful songwiter & performer. This album will not really let most people down. I find the whole project extremely well done, in Jake's songwriting, the talents of the many muscians involved, as well as the prodution quality. It's a joy to listen to, especially being a musician myself, & following Jake's work for years now, both studio & live perfornances. So in conclusion, I highly recommend this album to anyone who wants a reat treat. It's a little out of the ordinary, but that's exactly what makes it great!
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Jakes songs are instantly memorable. Each one like a little Jewel. I can't stop playing this CD. He has a wonderful sense of humor and can turn a witty phrase. Thanks for this little treasure, Jake.
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