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If The World Was You A REVIEW 
JD Souther - If The World Was YouRelease Date: October 14, 2008 (tentative) By Russ Paris August 24, 2008 John David Souther was one of the principal architects of the Southern California country-rock sound. Souther played a key role in the formation of the Eagles and co-wrote their hits "Heartache Tonight," "Victim of Love," "New Kid In Town" and "Best of My Love," as well as writing Linda Ronstadt's classics "Faithless Love," "Simple Man, Simple Dream" and "Prisoner in Disguise" among many others. Souther also released four critically acclaimed solo albums -- "John David Souther (1972)," "Black Rose (1976)," "You're Only Lonely (1979)" and "Home By Dawn (1984)" -- and two albums as a member of The Souther Hillman Furay Band, the super group which united Souther with Poco's Richie Furay and the Byrds' Chris Hillman. JD may be most recognized for his top 10 solo hit "You're Only Lonely" (which was a #1 Adult Contemporary hit in 1979) as well as his duet with James Taylor on the hit song "Her Town Too" from 1981. JD Souther has written hit songs for a diverse array of artists including India.Arie, Brooks & Dunn, Jimmy Buffet, Glen Campbell, Joe Cocker, Crosby Stills & Nash, Diamond Rio, Dixie Chicks, Don Henley, One Flew South, Roy Orbison, Bernadette Peters, Bonnie Raitt, George Strait, Brian Wilson, Trisha Yearwood, and Warren Zevon. Most recently the Eagles chose Souther's protest song "How Long" as the debut single from their first studio album in twenty-eight years. After a break of nearly 25 years since his last solo release, JD Souther is back with a new collection of songs on a CD called "If The World Was You". I received a promo copy of "If The World Was You" in the mail yesterday. I listened to it twice yesterday and I'm running through it for the third and fourth time right now. The album was recorded live in the studio with a 5-piece jazz ensemble (two horns, piano, bass and drums). Because of this, it is quite a bit different than his earlier albums, which after 25 years wouldn't have been too much of a surprise anyway. For those who are long-time JD Souther fans, there is much on this album that you will enjoy. The song writing is outstanding. All the songs on the album are credited as "words and music by John David Souther". Best of all is JD's voice. It still has that warm and intimate feel that marked his earlier albums. He sounds great. The songs have variety of different textures to them. There is something for everyone. Some go back to Souther's Texas roots. Influences of country and rock pioneers Hank Williams, Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison are in evidence. And if you are a fan of the improvisation jazz sensibilities of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, then I think the album will particularly appeal to you. My favorite album last year was the Artie Traum CD "Thief Of Time" which had a bit of a Steely Dan style jazziness to it. This collection by JD Souther has a much stronger and much more traditional jazz backbone to it. The truly stellar backing band is made up of Jeff Coffin on sax, Rod McGaha on trumpet, Chris Walters on piano, Dan Immel on bass and Jim White on drums. (JD adds guitar as well.) Jeff Coffin is a well-known saxophonist/composer and two-time Grammy Award winning member of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones who has shared the stage with a myriad of artists including The Dave Mathews Band, Branford Marsalis, Garth Brooks, Phish, Van Morrison and Lynyrd Skynyrd among others. Chicago born Rod McGaha is a Nashville based jazz artist who has released a series of stunning jazz albums. He's "a strikingly melodic player whose jazz work displays brilliant, bop-influenced solo lines." New Orleans born pianist Chris Walters has resided in Nashville since 1989, serving as music director for country music legend Barbara Mandrell until her retirement in 1997. Dan Immel has played and/or recorded with: Jeff Coffin, Suzy Boggus, Crystal Gale, Tommy Emmanuel, Tony McManus, The Hot Club of Nashville, Annie Sellick, Chris Walters, The Nashville Jazz Orchestra, and dozens of others. Jim White is an American born drummer now living in Nashiville, TN where he is an active performer and studio musician. He has performed with Alison Kraus, Jerry Douglas, Maynard Ferguson, Crystal Gayle, Bela Fleck, Willie Nelson and dozens of others. In any case, I think the CD has something for everyone. The collection has some great songs, great vocals, nicely recorded, stellar backing band, and a somewhat eclectic mix of music within a strong jazz framework. It has yet to be seen whether what remains of today's radio music world will pick up this CD. With today's fragmented and regimented radio playlists, "If The World Was You" will be a tough fit. But it's a very solid reminder that quality music is still being made today, even if you wouldn't know it from turning on the radio. - - - Russ Paris is the longtime webmaster for the Jackson Browne Fans Page, a website dedicated to the music of JD Souther's longtime friend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. He also runs the websites for a number of other musicians including the Manhattan Transfer Fan Club, Wendy Waldman and Severin Browne among others. Russ and his wife have also host the well-respected Russ & Julie's House Concerts series in Southern California where they have hosted a variety of artists including Jim Messina, John McEuen, Chris Hillman, Mary McCaslin, Laurence Juber, Bryndle, Barry McGuire, Doug Haywood, Bill Payne (Little Feat), John Hall (Orleans), Artie Traum, Ronny Cox and Andrew Gold. You can purchase the JD Souther's CDs by clicking on the links below:
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