Let The Good Times Roll

Let The Good Times Roll

By Brian Rock

Let The Good Times Roll, is the title of JD McPherson’s sophomore album. And that’s exactly what this album does. From the first “Summertime Blues” inspired drum beats of the eponymous lead off track; this album pulses with raw, vibrant energy and excitement. Backed by a pounding rhythm section, Killer keyboards and his own Bill Haley-ish jazz/rock guitar licks, JD sings, “little darlin’ follow me where I go. Let the sky open up and let the good times roll.” More than mere self-gratification; he’s tapping into a more rapturous, almost spiritual, “sky opening” joie de vivre. And it’s downright contagious.

For me, JD McPherson represents the distilled essence of Rock and Roll. Part Eddie Cochran, part Jackie Wilson; he brings unbridled enthusiasm and swagger to his music. With primal rhythms and soaring vocals, you feel his music as much as you hear it. As JD explains on his website bio, “rock ’n’ roll is a viable form—it’s hard-wired into American brains to understand swinging blues stuff.” And JD goes right to the source. He captures the sensuality, the energy, the expressiveness of early rock and roll before the excesses of later generations brought their depravity, anger, and cynicism.  Maybe that’s why other artists like Bruno Mars, Adele, and Meghan Trainor (among others) are reaching back and tapping into the early days of rock and rhythm and blues.  I think there’s a yearning to reconnect on a more subconscious level. It’s not about “I get what you’re saying,” it’s about “I feel what you’re feeling.” Right now. In this moment. We are connected. And that’s the way this whole album plays.

In “Bossy” you can feel the heavy blues of one who’s been mistreated. And again in “It’s All Over But The Shouting,” you believe him when he sings, “It’s all healed but the hurting. It’s all gone but the need.” Even on the ballads like “Bridgebuilder” and “Precious,” you can still feel the yearning in his voice. Solomon Burke would be proud.

But this album really shines when JD and company just flat out rock. “It Shook Me Up,” is pure Little Richard. “Mother Of Lies,” has grooves so crunchy you could eat them with a fork. And “Everybody’s Talking ‘Bout The All American,” is a perfect storm of rock, r&b and gospel. I haven’t been this excited about a rock and roll album in years, and I am finally ready to “Let The Good Times Roll!”

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