Rain on the Marshlands 2 was produced by Ronnie Taylor. See-- www.Reverbnation.com- The Lew Jones Trio. The new album is a sequel to the 1982 Album of the same name. Both albums are blues/jazz and folk pop concept songs influenced by the region where they were written. The first track "A Thought Full of Stars" features Dan Ross of SAND on Steel guitar and Dan Linn on vocals.
In 1994 Boyd Martin wrote in The Downtowner that Lew was; "Portland's favorite underground folk singer"
Robert Allen of Seattle's Rocket wrote in 1994, "A sly singer/songwriter, remarkably unaffected, whose playing and singing are on a high level of proficiency, whose compassionate without being wimpy ..his work has a true northwest feel, I liked him then I like him now." -"We still love your music and miss you in Seattle."
John Wenderborn (Goodbye John, Rest in Peace.) A journalist who was a friend to all musicians. His only conflict of interest was that he liked having fun with people, and listened 'To' the music. John Wenderborn didn't use his reviews to hurt others.
John supported Lew's career in The Oregonian for several years. He praised 'Rain on the Marshlands in 1982 as an album that documented and captured Lew's many years of playing in bars and clubs and highlighted his songwriting and guitar skills. ( Oregonian A&E 1982)
Stuart Tomlinson of The Oregonian wrote of Lew in 1988; "Jones keeps one foot in the underground and the other firmly planted in folk music; the results flatter both genres." Marty Hughley of The Oregonian described Lew's music as "intense even at a low volume~who has played folk, blues and rock the past thirty years, to craft his thoughtful material." (A&E 2002 October)
Today Lew's music is even more focused from playing numerous wineries, bars and events as an instrumentalist. He has taught music at 2 community colleges, 2 community centers all the while going to graduate school at Portland State University.
When Lew met Ronnie Taylor at The Big Busk in downtown Portland last summer they knew that they had to play some clubs and record. Lew and Ronnie started playing at Eugenios with Jon Lindahl of Fresh Tracks studio on drums. Ronnie introduced Lew to Tom Lund to cover gigs Jon couldn't do.. The Lew Jones Trio was formed and the rest is history.
The Lew Jones Trio played New Years at The Camellia's Lounge to a packed house.. which set the stage to book the trio at Portland's premier Jazz club Jimmy Mak's and one of Portland's biggest outdoor events The Bite of Oregon. Just recently the trio wowed crowds at the Rose Festival and The Multnomah County Fair/Oaks Park.
This new CD is cool and listenable all because of Ronnie Taylor's production skills which come out of the Los Angeles scene and the 'A' clubs he played while being a musician down there. The songs are the best Lew has written.
Tom Lund is a musician's musician, everything you would want from a percussionist and much more.
Check out Rain on the Marshlands 2 and then look for Rain on the Marshlands 1 on the web ..follow the heat from 30 years ago to now.
Thomas McGraw
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