Jim Heald Reviews

Record Reviews

	Austin Chronicle
	Texas Beat
	Dirty Linen
	Option
	Gajoob
	Roots Music Report
	Rootstime 2007

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REVIEWS
Defenders of the Forest (1992). Jim Heald's third release is a pleasing blend of acoustic guitar/vocal pieces and a few ensemble originals featuring flute, mandolin, dobro, cello and other traditional instruments. The title song concerns the plight of the tropical rain forest, interweaving his acoustic guitar with a sonorous voice that richly expresses his concern. In contrast to the title cut, most of the songs are concerned with inner, emotional conflicts. "Chains of Love", a blues-styled number, and "Your Love Pours Down," with its smoky jazz riffs played on saxophone, are the highlights. His talent as a wordsmith and some lead electric guitar by Eric Blakely and Rich Brotherton make Defenders of the Forest worth picking up. (JM) DIRTY LINEN #43 Dec/Jan 92-93	*Defenders of the* *Forest. Jim Heald is a modern-day balladeer. All his songs tell a story and have more to say than most people can comprehend in one sitting. On Defenders of the ForestJim* employs some of Austin's finest side-musicians. With Rich Brotherton and Eric Blakely sharing lead guitar duties, backing vocalists that include: Leeann Atherton, Susan Espinoza, and Lisa Sawyer, this album has a full, rich sound. On "Miguel's Song", Beth Galiger's lilting flute adds a hauntingly, airy dimension. this broad-based sound, complete with cello, viola, mandolin, saxophone, dobro, congas, and even zamponas sprinkled lightly throughout, give dynamics and grace to Jim's compositions. (Keith Ayres) TEXAS BEAT July 1992
Defenders of the Forest. Moody and sometimes aching tunes dealing with the love of this planet, its inhabitants, and life itself. Jim's expressive vocals paint the picture well with hints of John Prine's pacing and Roger McGuinn's smooth slur. A host of talented musicians help out here, playing various guitars, viola, zamponas, saxophone, mandolin, flute, dobro, cello, drums bass, and congas. A must. Bob Bunce GAJOOB #9, Winter '93	Defenders of the Forest.Jim Heald's latest tape, Defenders of the Forest is probably not as based on the environment as the name would suggest, but more on how he uses nature through analogies and description to express his thoughts about life and love in general. Each song is smothered in this sweet, folky, earthy romanticism, led by Heald's persuasive, acoustic guitar and lyrics, and nicely colored with occasional embellishments of cello, dobro, flute, mandolin, saxophone, and viola. Rich Brotherton and Eric Blakely's lead guitar strengthen and add depth to each song, and Leeann Atherton, Susan Espinoza, and Lisa Sawyer provide the soothing background vocals, all of which help to bring together a passionate musical landscape. (3 1/2 stars) W. Michael Smith AUSTIN CHRONICLE 6/4/93
Standing on the Great Wall of China. Jim's from Austin, and has recorded nine of his own songs with just his voice and guitar. I like these tunes; they're thoughtful and personal, and Jim would be welcome to sing in my cafe anytime(if I owned one...). His vocals are close to John Prine's (but less nasal), and his guitar adds a basic, picked accompaniment with some melody worked in. The folk song fan may find this worthwhile. -Dan Maryon OPTION #23 Nov-Dec 1988	Jim Heald CD: Wings Of Time Label: Missing Link Rating: 5 Stars Genre: Folk Some of the most interesting songs we have heard here at RMR. Jim is an excellent song writer that also has the ability to sing very well. Wings Of Time is an acoustic-folk CD that delivers a message with every track. Very powerful lyrics and soothing melodies. A great record for folk radio to air on their stations. Roots Music Review, 2005 Go to Roots Music Report

Wings of Time and Old Jalopy

Washington DC is de verblijfplaats van singer-songwriter Jim Heald die een 50-tal jaren geleden geboren werd in New Jersey. Oorspronkelijk was hij vooral geïnteresseerd in tekenen en schilderen en af en toe wat sporten. Daarnaast luisterde hij in zijn jeugd naar veel muziek van o.a. the Beatles, Paul Simon, James Taylor en The Byrds. Die muziekstijlen lagen aan de oorsprong voor wat hij later zelf ging spelen en creëren. Beïnvloed door mensen als Loudon Wainwright en John Prine speelt hij voornamelijk folksongs met een verhaal. Andere invloeden die verwerkt worden in de songs zijn pop, blues en jazz. Als inspiratie voor zijn liedjes gebruikt hij vaak zijn echtgenote Laura met wie hij in de jaren tachtig naar Austin Texas verhuisde en er kennis maakte met lokale muzikanten als David Rodriguez, Jimmie LaFave en Joe Ely.

Jim Heald stuurde ons onlangs ineens twee CD's toe, zijn eerste werk "Wings Of Time" uit 1997 en zijn nieuwste schijfje "Old Jalopy", samen goed voor 28 zelfgeschreven songs. Alhoewel er één nummer is dat hij tien jaar later nog eens herhaalt in een gemoderniseerde versie : "The Thorns That Guard The Rose", een nummer vol van symboliek. Dat komt overigens ook vaak voor in andere liedjes, zoals "Waiting For The Bombs To Fall", "Defenders Of The Forest", "The Psychologist Song" en "The Moon Is Shining Up Above".

Jim Heald beschikt over een goede stem die weet te boeien en de aandacht van de luisteraar vast te houden, waardoor hij de boodschappen die hij in zijn teksten verwerkt moeiteloos weet over te brengen. Met de songs "The Thorns That Guard The Rose" en "I'm Not The One" werd Jim Heald twee keer genomineerd als finalist bij het Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk. Op het recentste schijfje "Old Jalopy" is er wat meer muzikale diversiteit te horen dan op "Wings Of Time". Zo is er een mix van jazz en blues in "Ginger & Fred" en in "Wristwatch", een vleugje country in de titelsong "Old Jalopy", een dosis fijnzinnige humor in "The Psychologist Song" en het spirituele lied "Don't You Know". Zelfs Carraïbische invloeden worden erbij gehaald in "Let's Get Away" en de liefde tussen Romeo en Julia wordt bezongen in "The Moon Is Shining". Voorts wordt nieuwe liefde, verloren liefde, het verlangen naar en het vinden van een nieuwe liefde, twijfels en verdriet bezongen in de diverse andere nummers. Kortom, voor elk wat wils. Jim Heald is een zanger met een uitstekende stem en mooi geselecteerde songs. Meer moet dat voor ons niet zijn.
(valsam)

Rootstime, July 2007

http://www.rootstime.be

Translation:

Washington DC is the home of singer-songwriter Jim Heald who was born in New Jersey in the 1950’s. Initially he was more interested in drawing and painting and also sports. But he also listened in his youth to much music such as the Beatles, Paul Simon, James Taylor and The Byrds. Those musical styles layers continue to shape the music that he currently creates. He was also influenced by people such as Loudon Wainwright and John Prine as he plays mainly folk songs telling stories. Other influences which are evident in the songs include pop, blues and jazz. A frequent inspiration for his songs is his wife Laura. In the 1980’s they moved to Texas and he became acquainted with [the music of] local musicians such as David Rodriguez, Jimmie LaFave and Joe Ely.

Jim Heald recently sent us two CD's out of the blue, the first "Wings or Time" from 1997 and his newest disc "Old Jalopy", together 28 good self-penned songs. Although there is one number that he repeats ten years later in an updated version: "The Thorns That Guard The Rose", a number full of symbolism. Symbolism also occurs frequently in other songs, such as "Waiting For The Bombs To Fall", "Defenders of The Forest", "The Psychologist Song" and "The Moon is Shining Up Above".

Jim Heald has a good voice which will captivate and hold the attention of the listener, as a result of which he transmits the messages in his songs effortlessly. With the songs "The Thorns That Guard The Rose" and "I'm Not The One" Jim Heald was selected twice as a finalist at the Kerrville folk festival New Folk. On the most recent disc "Old Jalopy" there is more musical diversity than on "Wings or Time". There is a mix of jazz and blues "Ginger & Fred" and "Wristwatch", a touch of country in the title song "Old Jalopy", a little humor in "The Psychologist song" and the spiritual song "Don't You Know". There are even Caribbean influences in "Let's Get Away" and the love between Romeo and Juliet is told in "The Moon is Shining" [sic]. Additionally, there is love is lost, longed-for, and found, doubts and sorrow in the several other numbers. Jim Heald is a singer with an outstanding voice in well selected songs. There needn't be more than that (for us).

"A modern-day balladeer ... All his songs tell a story and have more to say than most people can comprehend in one sitting."

Texas Beat

"I like these tunes; they're thoughtful and personal, and Jim would be welcome to sing in my cafe anytime..."

OPTION Magazine

"Moody and sometimes aching tunes dealing with love of this planet, its inhabitants, and life itself. Jim's expressive vocals paint the picture well with hints of John Prine's pacing and Roger McGuinn's smooth slur..."

GAJOOB, The Independent Mind

"A popular finalist at the national songwriting competition 'New Folk' at the Kerrville Folk Festival"

New Texas

"One of the year's best tapes."

David Obermann, KUT Radio, Austin

"Jim Heald charged [up] the audience... clearly representing the overall healing power of the music and the people who performed at this wonderful Festival."