Jeff Scott
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Jeff Scott

| SELF | AFM

| SELF | AFM
Band Pop Acoustic

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"Muse's Muse"

I’ve spent a couple of weeks listening to Jeff Scott's ... Like Super Man on Krypton, mainly in the early morning, digging this collection of shimmering, catchy folk/pop tunes. It was only today that I realized how eclectic this collection is.


First of all, Scott has an arresting voice, sort of an edgier version of Bread’s David Gates. So acoustic ballads like “Natalie” and “Company” are beautiful and haunting. “Company” is especially pretty, graced with flourishes of Mike Lerner’s piano.

But tracks like the opening “Catch That Train” and “These Days” sound like Michael McDonald’s Doobie Brothers hits with modern/alt punch. “These Days” is urgent and soulful, and the swooping organ and big chorus make it shine.

“Her Only Bad Habit Is Me” is in a similar vein, and it has clever lyrics. It lopes along at a pleasant yet funky mid-tempo groove, and the lead guitar work (presumably by Shawn Hebb) is bold and biting.

My favorite cut (and my six-year-old daughter’s favorite title lately) is the power-pop “Angels Do Drink Beer.” The “sha-na-na-na” backing vocals are a treat. “The Ring” also rocks – the juxtaposition between acoustic and electric guitars is especially noteworthy.

“Stupid As” is bluesy and snaky, anchored by Brad Holy’s percussive drumming. It’s also admirable that, no matter what the musical style, Scott’s voice is fitting and always in control. “Powerless” is the song from which the CD title comes, and it’s a (autobiographical, perhaps?) tale of hard knocks. Scott delivers a wise, knowing vocal.

If “Powerless” is like a big late-set number at a live performance, the simple, acoustic, Jackson Browne-ish “Sometimes Hope” is the sweet kiss goodbye. Reminds me of how a recording of their beautiful instrumental “Little Martha” would play as fans filed out of an Allman Brothers show.

I should probably learn more about what the different vocal ranges are – you know, alto, soprano, et cetera. I do know that Jeff Scott sometimes flirts with a falsetto, almost always finds the write notes, and wraps his voice around some fine and varied original songs. - Chip Withrow


"Indie Launchpad"

Rating : 8 out of 10

It’s not often that I request a band’s or artist’s album, after listening to a few of their tracks on MySpace or some other music service and then not like it. This was the case when I got the latest album in from Jeff Scott. I’m fortunate to be able to listen to music while working. Late one afternoon I put on this album, and after a few tracks, I started to feel a bit jittery. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was, but suffice to say, a change of music was required. And so the album sat in the pile for a while, before I pulled it out again for a quick listen. This time, I think my frame of mind was better and I was able to listen to the album with no distractions.

The first thing that struck me, was the vocal similarity to Christopher Cross, better know as the man behind the theme to the movie Arthur, and not to mention the brief sound bite, of his song “Sail Away” in the fantastic animated movie, “Flushed Away”. This is a very relaxed and prominently acoustic album. There’s a nice balance of music and vocals, which blend together very nicely.

There’s some great songs amongst the 11 tracks that are featured. I particularly loved the track that opens the album, “Catch the Train”, the wonderfully titled “Angels Do Drink Beer”, “Company” with it’s melancholic, reflective mood and the similarly mellow “Her Only Bad Habit is Me”. My favorite tracks though would have to be “You’re in My Heart” and “Sometimes Hope” which draws the album to a fitting conclusion.

If I were to point my finger at anything, it’s that sometimes I feel Jeff’s vocals are tad samey. Criticism is a hard thing for me to wave around and I don’t do it lightly, it’s just that by the time the albums finished it’s almost like my head is eager to hear something different. I think this is almost like the musical equivalent to Alan Whicker’s monosyllabic voice. I’m in no way saying the vocals are bad, boring or anything so damning, just that they don’t seem to vary too much.

Conclusion : This is a really pleasant album, which I’ll probably put on when I’m in the mood to chill and just let the music wash over me. I think with a few tracks to shake things up a bit, this would have been a truly great album.

- Colin Meeks


"Radio Indy"

"Like Super Man on Krypton" is an impressive acoustic singer/songwriter CD by Jeff Scott.

Jeff's songwriting on the CD is excellent and provides a collection of tracks that include meaningful storytelling-type lyrics presented in melodic and memorable music. The songs sometimes include unpredictable chord progressions that are very enjoyable.

The recording quality and production are pro and combine with the natural instrument sounds and tight band, to provide a very clean recording. Jeff's vocals cut through on the recording very well, and mix very nicely over the mainly acoustic guitar work. The musicianship is very good, with clean guitar work and solid vocals, and excellent female backing vocals on several tracks, most notably, "Sometimes Hope."

"The Ring" is one of our favorite tracks, with its excellent groove and guitar work. The acoustic guitar chord progressions and Jeff's vocals sound really good on "Stupid As."

If you enjoy modern acoustic singer/songwriter legends such as James Taylor, you will enjoy this CD. Pick up a copy today! - radioindy.com


Discography

...like Super Man on Krypton (2006)

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Bio

Jeff Scott is Canadian... born in the suburb of Newmarket Ontario sometime during the 1960's. The details are uncertain but it is said the Beatles were still touring at the time.

Barely surviving his early nerd years, Jeff eventually abandoned his obsession for Star Wars action figures and began hording Beatle records. This inevitably led to an electric guitar and the eventual decline of academic studies.

Before long Jeff formed the trio "Silent Echo"... but it was the kind act of his Christian deity that allowed him to study piano at Toronto's acclaimed jazz school Humber College. The years that followed led Jeff on a series of musical twists and turns.

It began with a phone call on a cold February night. By the end of the conversation, Jeff was heading to Las Vegas to join the successful Kokomo Beach Band where his love for 60's pop and his sweet falsetto would fit like a glove. Touring the US and Canada, the highlight of the trip would be a series of shows on the Vegas Strip, including The Sands, Aladdin, and Circus Circus.

It was at the Aladdin where folks first noticed Jeff's resemblance to Buddy Holly and a segment was worked into the show. Having set aside his guitar since starting music school, Jeff was thrilled to have an opportunity to take centre stage. "Most impersonators dream of making it to Vegas" Jeff says, "I started there!!"

Tired of the rigorous touring schedule, Jeff returned to Toronto where he landed a job as piano player in the famous "Rock and Roll Heaven" show. One fateful night, future INXS singer JD Fortune failed to show up and Jeff was, once again, asked to fill in as the 50's rocker. Jeff's energy in the role led to high profile opportunities with the Las Vegas production "Legends in Concert" performing in Atlantic City, Myrtle Beach, Miami, and Chicago. He would eventually see Australia and travel as far as Hong Kong.

Since then Jeff has juggled his career as a singer/songwriter with his work as a free lance musician. "I can't help it, I love music! I learn something in every show..." He has shared the stage with such personalities as Sha Na Na's Bowser, the Crystals ("Da Doo Ron Ron"), Barbara Lewis ("Baby, I'm Yours"), and most recently up and coming Canadian star Zoe Bentley. However his favourite moment would have to be playing Farfisa organ for the legendary Sam the Sham as he performed the rock and roll classic "Woolly Bully".

As his hours spent on stage were shaping him into a energetic and captivating performer, his travels began to have a profound effect on his song writing as well. While Jeff is Canadian, most of the songs were written while touring and performing across America. An experience that gave him a unique perspective of himself and the world around him.

Drawing on influences as diverse as Bruce Springsteen and John Cleese, 1960's pop and comic books, with his 2006 release "...like Super Man on Krypton" Jeff Scott finds his voice. A talented multi instrumentalist and stylistic singer, (he's been compared to 70's acoustic rockers America and Bread) Jeff has a flair for being mysterious in his lyric when he wants to, or getting right to the point when necessary. All the while cradling the listener in a melody you'll find creeping back into your mind before too long. The songs, designed to be delivered either solo or with his small band who accompanies him on the album, are as thought provoking as they are singable.

"...Like Super Man on Krypton" is the story of a humility one can only acheive by returning home.