If you're not a hard-core Howard Jones fan, and never saw him on his 1993 acoustic tour, the thought of the author of hits such as "New Song" or "No One Is To Blame" playing without the keyboard may seem a bit frightening.
Don't get scared off, however: although there was no electricity connecting the instruments, this performance has plenty of it in the air. Consisting of just two people on stage - Howard on piano and vocals, and renowned percussionist Carole Steele - Jones wows not only the Los Angeles crowd where the show was recorded, but this reviewer as well. His songs gain a new depth when taken away from the synth wall which has surrounded Jones since 1984, and highlight the songwriter and performer behind the songs.
Live Acoustic America doesn't focus on all his hits, nor is that the collection's purpose; however, of the 17 tracks, 11 of them are well known to his fans. It comes across more as a "thank-you" to his fans, and a unique way to bend the rules. Don't forget, when Jones first burst on to the scene with his UK #1 hit "New Song", the possibility of a keyboard player touring, much less giving an entertaining evening, was laughed at. Howard broke those rules as well; this time, he succeeds in bringing his fans one step closer to his songs.
The songs do work; "You Know I Love You" takes on a new breath of life and "No One Is To Blame" was meant to be heard in close quarters. And, Howard's version of the Beatles' "Come Together" sounds not only more distinct, but *better*, than the recent cover from The Smokin' Mojo Filters (Paul Weller, Paul McCartney and Oasis' Noel Gallagher) from the Bosnian relief effort Help!.
The crowd interaction - which is a mandatory part of most intimate shows, but usually fails to impresss on record - doesn't come across well on this album either. But this small blemish should not stop one from stepping back and taking another look at this talented performer.
Sometime in 1996, Jones will be releasing his next album, Angels and Lovers. However, until then, the time is right to rediscover Howard Jones in an intimate setting on Live Acoustic America.
World Wide Web surfers: Howard has become involved with the site at: http://www.amug.org/~hojoinfo/index.html TRACK LISTING: Intro / Pearl In The Shell, Don't Always Look At The Rain, Fallin' Away, Exodus / Come Together, You Know I Love You Don't You, Out Of Thin Air, One Last Try, Like To Get To Know You Well, City Song, Lift Me Up, Tape to Tape Rag, Everlasting Love, Life in One Day, Things Can Only Get Better, What Is Love, New Song, No One Is To Blame
