Jackie Lomax
Band members Related acts
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- Jackie Lomax - vocals, bass, guitar
supporting musicians (1971) - Tommy Caccetta -- bass - Frank Furter -- guitar - Bugs Pemberton -- drums - Ricky Redstreak -- rhythm guitar - Israel Zacuto -- guitar
supporting musicians (1972) - Rick Danko -- bass - Marty Grebb -- keyboards -
John Hall -- steel guitar - Levon Helm -- drums - Jackie
Lomax -- vocals,
bass, guitar - Bernard Purdy -- drums - Bill Rich -- bass - Bruce Rowland -- drums - John Simon -- keyboards, drums - N.D. Smart -- drums - Israel Zacuto -- guitar
supporting musicians (1977) - Al Ciner -- guitar - Marty David -- bass - Gene Dinwiddle -- flute, sax - Andre Fisher -- drums - Deborah Lindsey -- vocals - Steve Madaio -- trumpet - Max Middleton -- synthesizers - Bugs Pemberton -- drums - Jimmy Roberts -- sax, flute - Ron Stockert -- keyboards
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- Badger - Heavy Jelly - The Lomax Alliance - The Undertakers
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Is This What You Want? Company: Apple Catalog: ST-3354 Year: 1969 Country/State: Wallsey, Merseyside, UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original insert Available: 1 Catalog ID: 4250 Price: $35.00 Cost: $15.00
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Jackie Lomax is an interesting character. In many ways he's the perfect example of a rock journeyman. He's certainly talented and over some four plus decades he's accumulated a rather substantial recording catalog (both as a solo act and as a member of numerous bands). He has a host of admirers (mostly inside the music business) and he's occasionally come very close to enjoying popular and commercial success. Still, the emphasis is on close ...
By the time Lomax was in his teens he'd been in a number of bands, including handling rhythm guitar for Dee and the Dynamites and starting in 1962 playing bass and handling lead vocals for the Liverpool-based The Undertakers. The Undertakers lasted until 1964 at which point Lomax briefly moved to the States before returning to England where he and former Undertakers alumni Bugs Pemberton formed the R&B-oriented The Lost Souls. The Souls caught the attention of Beatles manager Brian Epstein, quickly metamorphosing into the cleverly-titled Lomax Alliance. Unfortunately with Epstein's untimely death the Alliance lost its chief supporter and quickly collapsed. Lomax returned the States, but within a returned to England again when George Harrison expressed interest in working with him.
By 1969 Lomax was already a seasoned musical veteran which makes it slightly ironic that today he's largely known as the first act signed by The Beatles to their fledgling Apple Records label.
Produced by Harrison, 1969's "Is This What You Want?" is at best a mixed success. As you'd suspect, working with The Beatles was both an honor and a risk. In this instance most of the media attention surrounding the LP went to the set's one non-original - Harrison's "Sour Sea Milk". To be honest, the rocker wasn't all that impressive (nice little Harrison solo), but then neither were most of Lomax's eleven songs. Musically the set was divided into up tempo pieces such as "Speak To Me" and "How Can You Say Goodbye" that bore a passing resemblance to Harrison's work with Bonnie and Delaney. To us the album's biggest surprise here is Lomax's voice. Quite an impressive R&B-styled vocalist with The Undertakers and The Lomax Alliance, here his performances frequently sound fragile and strained. Lomax's vocal limitations are particularly noticeable on blue-eyed soul performances such as the title track (which recalls The Beatles own "Come Together") and the ballad "Fall Inside Your Eyes". On the latter he's pushed hard to simply stay in tune. Elsewhere the set was notable for boasting one of the year's more impressive supporting casts. Besides Harrison, the LP sported cameos from Eric Clapton, Nicky Hopkins, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Klaus Voorman. Not a bad assortment of friends and supporters.
"Is This What You Want" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Speak To Me Now (Jackie Lomax) - 2.) Is This What You Want? (Jackie Lomax) - 3.) How Can You Say Goodbye (Jackie Lomax) - 4.) Sunset (Jackie Lomax) - 5.) Sour Milk Sea (George Harrison) - 6.) Fall Inside Your Eyes (Jackie Lomax) -
(side 2) 1.) Little Yellow Pill (Jackie Lomax) - 2.) Take My Word (Jackie Lomax) - 3.) The Eagle Laughs At You (Jackie Lomax) - 4.) Baby You're a Lover (Jackie Lomax) - 5.) You Got Me Thinking (Jackie Lomax) - 6.) I Just Don't Know (Jackie Lomax) -
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Home Is Where My Head Is Company: Warner Brothers Catalog: 1914 Year: 1971 Country/State: Wallsey, Merseyside, UK Grade (cover/record): VG-/VG Comments: cover has some ring wear and a small tear on the front cover; includes lyric insert sheet Available: 1 Catalog ID: 4 Price: $15.00 Cost: $1.00
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With Apple in the throes of complete collapse and his efforts with the band Heavy Jelly amounting to little, 1971 found Jackie Lomax moving to the States, where he quickly signed with Warner Brothers (just like former Apple label mate James Taylor had done). Self-produced, 1971 "Home Is In My Head" was consistently good; perhaps Lomax's most impressive outing. Backed by a first rate collection of musicians (including a reunion with former Lomax Alliance bassist Tommy Caccetta and drummer Bugs Pemberton), all twelves Lomax originals were worth hearing. Highlights including "A Hundred Mountains", the title track and "Turning Around" (the latter featuring lead guitarist Frank Furter who judging from the slide guitar may have been longtime Lomax supporter George Harrison). Unfortunately, in spite of good reviews, the set did little commercially.
"Home Is In My Head" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Give All You've Got (Jackie Lomax) - 3:55 2.)
A Hundred Mountains (Jackie Lomax) - 3:25 6.) Nothin' Ever Seems To Go My Way (Jackie Lomax) - 3:27
(side
2)
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Three Company: Warner Brothers Catalog: BS-2591 Year: 1972 Country/State: Wallsey, Merseyside, UK Grade (cover/record): VG- / VG Comments: cover has some ring wear and a small cut out notch along the opening; includes the insert Available: 1 Catalog ID: 4 Price: $15.00 Cost: $1.00
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Having taken up residence in Woodstock, New York, Lomax's second Warner Brothers album was recorded at Todd Rundgren's Bearsville Studio. Produced by John Simon, 1972's "Three" found Lomax recruiting an all star collection of friends, including The Band's Rick Danko and Levon Helms. With Lomax again penning the majority of material, the LP was quite diverse, though track such as "Hellfire, Night-Crier", "Fever's Got Me Burning" and "Rock Salt" gave the set a more bluesy feel than earlier releases. Personal favorites; sounding like something Mary Hopkins would have recorded the weird "Lavender Dream" and the roaring Gospelish closer "(You've Got To) Do It All Yourself ". Like his earlier efforts, the LP generated favorable press, but little in the way of sales.
"Three" track listing: (side 1) 1.) No Reason (Jackie Lomax - Bryn Haworth) - 4:33 2.) Time Will Tell You (Jackie Lomax) - 3:55 3.) Hellfire, Night-Crier (Jackie Lomax) - 4:30 4.) Lost (John Simon) - 3:17 5.) Roll On (Jackie Lomax) - 4:46 6.) Lavender Dream (Jackie Lomax) - 4:08
(side 2) 1.) Let The Play Begin (Jackie Lomax) - 3:56 2.) Fever's Got Me Burning (Jackie Lomax - Bugs Pemberton) - 5:10 3.) Last Time Home (Jackie Lomax) - 5:19 4.) Rock Salt (Jackie Lomax) - 4:48 5.) (You've Got To) Do It All Yourself (Jackie Lomax) - 5:50
Increasingly frustrated by his inability to break commercially, the following year Lomax returned to the UK where he ended up taking a stab at success with the AOR outfit Badger (see separate entry).
In case anyone cares, Lomax has a mildly entertaining website: http://www.jackielomax.com/
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Did You Ever Have That Feeling? Company: Capitol Catalog: ST-11688 Year: 1977 Country/State: Wallsey, Merseyside, UK Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+ Comments: cutout hole top right corner; 'mort' written in magic marker on cover; original lyric inner sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 6024 Price: $15.00
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Produced by Bob Monaco, 1977's "Did You Ever Get That Feeling?" was the collection record labels wished Lomax had recorded for years (though by the time it came out, most of Lomax's fan base had already moved on to other interests). Featuring nine Lomax originals, the result was a commercial, if somewhat anonymous mixture of blue-eyed soul and adult contemporary pop numbers. Images of mid-'70s George Harrison solo sides, or second tier Boz Scaggs tracks readily came to mind. To his credit, Lomax seemed to have finally realized there was some merit in not pushing as hard ... Perhaps the more relaxed approach had something to do with his decision to relocate fulltime to Los Angeles. Perhaps it was the influence of producer Bob Monaco. The combination of horns, modest nods to disco ('One of a Kind') and adult contemporary moves ('Fine Lines'), was prime fodder for mid-'70s AM radio, though the anonymous commercial aspects were probably a turnoff to longstanding fans who had about as much interest in a disco tune as they did getting a colonoscopy. Mind you, the album was far from perfect. Lomax's breathless and labored voice remained an acquired taste. Personally I continually find myself going from love to hate and back again.
The set certainly had plenty of flaws, but in all fairness it was still worth tracking down and remains quite affordable. (Not that it mattered one way or the other, but in spite of what some references say, the album was released in the States.)
"Did You Ever Have That Feeling?" track listing: (side 1) 1.) One of a Kind (Jackie Lomax) - 3:45 rating: *** stars One of his most commercial offerings, 'One of a Kind' found Lomax trying his hand at a light disco-flavored number. The bouncy melody, horns, and bleating female backing singers were momentarily disjointing, but the end result wasn't nearly as bad as you would have expected. If you could sit through a mid-1970s Boz Scaggs album, then this one wouldn't kill you/. 2.) Just a Little Bit-O-Your Love (Jackie Lomax) - 4:30 rating: *** stars A nice, breezy slice of blue-eyed soul, 'Just a Little Bit-O-Your Love' was actually a far better song. The track would have been even better had Lomax opted to drop the blaring female backing singers and the intrusive horns. Always liked the treated guitar solo. 3.) Soul Light (Jackie Lomax) - 4:08 rating: *** stars 'Soul Light' was a straight ahead soul number marred by some needless adult contemporary horn arrangements. One of Lomax's best vocals, but also another track that would have been way better without the blaring horns ... 4.) Only Fools (Fools Paradise) (Jackie Lomax) - 2:43 rating: *** stars 'Only Fools (Fools Paradise)' was a pretty, highly orchestrated ballad that served to underscore Lomax's knack for crafting interesting melodies; in this case a mildly-acid tinged feel. People use the term Beatlesque all the time, but this one really did have a Beatles flavor to it, complete with George Harrison-styled slide guitar. The song also underscored how fragile and unique Lomax's voice was. 5.) Fine Lines (Jackie Lomax) - 2:40 rating: ** stars With a forgettable melody and a quivery lead vocal, 'Fine Lines' was a throwaway adult contemporary ballad. If you liked mid-'70s George Harrison solo sides and/or cheesy '70s synthesizer washes, be sure to check this one out.
(side 2) 1.) Part of My Life (Jackie Lomax) - 3:56 rating: ** stars 'Part of My Life' opened side two with another adult contemporary ballad. The song was actually quite good, but the combination of Lomax's measured voice, heavy orchestration, and irritating female backing vocals served to undermine it's potential. To my ears it sounded like second rate Boz Scaggs. Giving credit where due, Ron Stockert turned in some nice keyboards. 2.) Room To Move (Jackie Lomax) - 3:56 rating: ** stars Bathed in Gene Dinwiddle's flutes, 'Room To Move' offered up another slice of forgettable adult contemporary pop. It was pleasant, but in the same way a warm bath was pleasant. rating: ** stars 3.) Floating (Jackie Lomax) - 4:04 'Floating' was a pretty ballad. I'm not sure it Lomax was trying to pen a number with a psychedelic feel, but the end result actually came off as having one of those irritating new age sheens ... 4.) I Don'wanna Live without You (Jackie Lomax) - 5:24 rating: *** stars 'I Don'wanna Live without You' found Lomax trying to get down and funky. You weren't about to mistake this for an Ohio Players album, but with Lomax's limitations, this was as good as anything Robert Palmer ever did.
Curiously, shortly after the album was released the small Pan Americana Pax label released a non-LP single (one of the more valuable releases in his catalog):
1977's 'If Only I Could Find' b/w 'She Feels That Way' (Pan Americana Pax catalog PAX 134)
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