Review Summary: Unique brand of 70s Glam and straight-ahead Rock 'n Roll
When I was a young guy, set on a path to discover new music in order to better appreciate the art’s creative process and those that created it, I stumbled upon the artist Jobriath. Underage, I managed to find my way into one his Hollywood shows at the famous Troubadour on Santa Monica Blvd. Sipping on my Heineken, [Tsk, tsk.. Naughty me!], the show begins and my life would be forever altered… Much in the same way, seeing Bowie perform as Ziggy Stardust altered my world.
Jobriath, [Born Bruce Campbell] openly gay, proceeded to blow the room’s collective mind with his brand of Glam and straight-ahead Rock ‘n Roll. Full of pomp, swagger and sashay, Jobriath put on a remarkable show debuting his S/T release with remarkable aplomb. The band, both powerful and fully engaged, supported their front man with a visceral beauty that I would come to associate with the likes of Iggy & the Stooges and the New York Dolls. To say it was mesmerizing is an understatement. So, with this ’08 reissue/remaster it brought to the forefront of my consciousness the vivid memory of this artist’s contribution to modern music.
Yes, it sounds a bit dated, but for those of you who enjoy traveling the time line of Rock’s evolution, it’s easy to appreciate the accomplishment of this LP. Fans of Glam Rock will treasure this CD. When kept in context, the music recorded here makes this an essential addition to your collection. Standout tracks such as ‘Take Me I'm Yours’, ‘Space Clown’ and ‘I’maman’ prove the musicality of Jobriath is worthy of attention, in spite of its nostalgic value.
Here’s my suggestion: Hoopla, a public library streaming service in the US has this to borrow. Amazon has it for much money so, frankly, this one is a difficult one to sample, let alone own. You might also consider your US public library’s Inter-library Loan [ILL] program as a number of the library’s own this, therefore making it accessible to the determined listener.
