Scott Jackson

"Even here, though, there's an edge of sadness that gives these songs an emotional depth that's missing from too many navel-gazing indie singer-songwriters. You get the sense Jackson has done some living in his time, and taken notes along the way. "

Jason Warburg - Music reviewer for the Daily Vault - The Daily Vault

"Jackson's My World is denser and melodic with well-written songs. "

Tom Harrison-The Vancouver Province - The Vancouver Province

"Part of his appeal is a plaintive wail that seems to say these six songs are important to me, so listen."

Tom Harrison - The Vancouver Province

When local singer/songwriter Scott Jackson switched gears from in-your-face hard rock to melodic, soul-searching pop rock, an interesting thing happened. His mom started liking his music - and he didn't mind. "I couldn't believe she liked it," said Jackson. "My music kind of has a demographic of women between 25 and 45. I guess its easy listening, pretty melodic. I'm not into writing about chicks and cars."
He also started getting more attention. The former member of the local hard rock act MK Ultra has emerged from his transition with the makings of a solo CD supported by a group of top Canadian musicians.
There's also the matter of his popularity around Washington's Lake Chelan area, where he played some gigs in the summer and has been getting airplay on five radio stations.
"It's crazy. I was walking down the street and someone recognized me."
Jackson performs for a hometown crowd Nov. 5, 8 p.m. in a cabaret-style show at the Maple Ridge Arts Centre and Theatre. The studio theatre will be set up as a lounge, where Jackson will perform with a four-piece band.
The local show doubles as a release party for his six-song EP "My World". He's now in pre-production for the remaining seven songs, for release in February as a full-length effort.
Jackson was still with MK Ultra a few years ago when he wrote the cornerstone of “My World" a song called "What Are We Waiting For. It was a dramatic shift from the hard-driving music of MK Ultra, which had seen some success from its debut CD and was working on a follow-up. Frustrated that the band's sound wasn't evolving, Jackson sent his single to Jerry Wong, a producer and guitarist for Damn the Diva. The two had met through the Musicians' Hockey League.
Wong was impressed by the song - described as a modern-day version of Gather Ye Rosebuds Where They Lay - and it wasn't long before Jackson left MK Ultra to pursue his own style.
Before long, he was introduced to a top-notch backing band consisting of bassist Doug Elliot(the Odds, Colin James, Damn the Diva, Loverboy), bassist Thom Christiansen (Econoline Crush, Josh Kelly, Damn the Diva), drummer Pat Steward (Bryan Adams, Matthew Good, the Odds, Colin James, Craig Northey), Keyboardist Simon Kendall )Doug and the Slug, Cowboy Junkies and winner of a Genie for the Cold Squad core), vocalist Craig Northey (the Odds, composer for the movie Brain Candy) and Aaron Grant, a talented young multi-instrumentalist.
Jackson saw his songwriting process go from a free-for-all in which band members jockeyed for prominence to one where the musicians work together to create a better song.
"For me, it's about what's best for the song. Sometimes simplicity is the best thing," he said.
Playing with such talented musicians was initially daunting, but Jackson soon came to appreciate their expertise and the "grocery list" of suggestions to finesse his songs. Their respect for his talent has also been a confidence booster, he said.
For content, Jackson turns to personal experiences to seek universal themes. Reflecting on the drowning death of his brother-in-law prompted him to write about moving forward. He writes about guilt and taking chances. But there's also a lighter side: "I've got a song about a hangover."
In addition to pursuing his music, Jackson works full-time as a behavior consultant who works with autistic children through Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living. He and his wife Laurie also own their own east Maple Ridge home and have two children: Taylor, 7, and Noah, 5. How does he make it all work?
"I've got a tolerant wife," he said.
He also has an instant audience. "You know a song works when your kids like it. I test my songs on them."
While he finds great satisfaction in his music, Jackson has no delusions of grandeur regarding his future.
In the coming months, he and Rose Management - his mom's husband and friends who are promoting his music - are looking into some gigs around Greater Vancouver, a short Western Canada tour ending in his birthplace (Prince Albert, Sask.) and perhaps some festivals next summer.
In the next two years he hopes to play the Commodore - and he doesn't care if he headlines or not.
"I just want people to like my songs and identify with them. It would be nice to get some radio play," he said.
"But I'm not naive - it's a big machine. There are so many bands doing this."

By Karin Mark
Staff Reporter of Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News
- Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News

One very bad day in the life of Scott Jackson and his family might ultimately mark the most positive change the singer/songwriter has made in his musical career.
On Sept. 2, 2001, Jackson’s brother-in-law and close friend drowned at a family reunion in Lake Chelan, Wash.
Nine days later, terrorists brought down the World Trade Centre in New York City.
“Those two events were really the catalyst for me to go in a new direction.” Jackson says. “I went back to some songs I had written before and reworked them and they just made more sense.
“A lot of things on this CD arise out of my feelings and the feelings of my family from the day Kevin died.”
The CD, titled My World, marks not only a new direction for Jackson but might be the breakthrough the artist has been seeking.
Born and raised in Prince Albert, Jackson didn’t start out pursuing a musical career – his passion lay more in athletics, particularly hockey.
He grew up playing the Raiders minor hockey system, getting as high as midget AAA and an occasional sniff with the big club, but ultimately his speed and skills could not make up for his lack of size.
It was, however, enough to allow him to continue playing at Augustana College in Camrose, Alta., where his musical talents were discovered.
“I was, literally, singing in the shower, when one of my teammates said, ‘Hey, you’ve got a pretty good voice,’” recalls Jackson, chuckling.
The teammate turned out to be an erstwhile musician and soon the two were working on songs and Jackson was learning to play the guitar.
“Actually, we weren’t good enough musicians to learn other people’s songs, so we had to write our own,” Jackson says. “And some of them were really bad.”
But some of them weren’t. After graduation, Jackson moved to Vancouver in 1992 where he eventually compiled enough decent songs to produce an independent CD in 1995.
Again it was hockey that opened the most important door. Playing drop-in hockey as a way to have fun, Jackson made contacts with some players who also played in the Musicians Hockey League.
The most important of these contacts proved to be Jerry Wong, a guitarist for Damn the Diva, which was competing with Nickelback as top band coming out of the area.
“In fact, Damn the Diva was winning, “Jackson recalls. “They were winning all the awards at that time.”
“Jerry and I just connected. He liked the songs I was writing.”
The problem was that the band Jackson had joined – MK Ultra- was gaining success playing a much harder brand of rock than Jackson’s song writing suited.
The band’s lone CD, Apple, spent five weeks atop the HMV Independent charts and the band earned radio play on local radio station 99.3 the Fox.
MK Ultra also played a couple Music west headline slots and some in-store record store performances.
“I don’t write hard rock songs,” Jackson explains. “But you have to work with what you’ve got and what I had at that time was a hard rock band.”
At a crossroads, Jackson wasn’t sure which way to turn, until tragedy struck his family and the world in September 2001.
“I thought about it for a while, then I called Jerry and said, ‘I want to go in this direction now,’” Jackson recalls. “He said, ‘Great. Let’s do it.’”
“I really wanted to do something that would make a mark the way I wanted to do it.”
Supported by some of the top musicians in Canadian music, Jackson came up with My World, an optimistic collection centered around seizing opportunity and moving forward, even in the face of tragedy.
The music is heavily influenced by the British pop sound of artists such as Radiohead and U2, as well as music from alternative country scene artists like the Jayhawks and Ryan Adams.
Jackson’s fundamental principle is just to keep it simple.
“Melodies in particular should be fairly simple,” he says. “I like to test my songs on my kids. If they aren’t bouncing to it or humming along with it, it doesn’t work.
“The best songs have universal themes. When I was younger I wanted to save the world. Now I want to write songs that transcend my own experiences and touch a wide variety of people.
“With a couple of songs on this CD I think I accomplish that.”
My World has had only limited release so far to select markets south of the border. The plan is to build up an audience in places that are less competitive and more open to new sounds than major centres.
“In Vancouver, you have 300 bands all fighting each other,” he notes. “Bands are happy if they get one spot a week on the Fox.
“We are getting four or five spots in the markets we are in. People know about us, they recognize the songs when we play them live.”
Jackson is hoping for the opportunity to introduce his hometown to his music in the near future. He is trying to line up a concert at the Rawlinson Centre sometime in the fall.
In the meantime, he has a performance in his new hometown of Maple Ridge, B.C. where he lives with his wife Laurie, their daughter Taylor, 7, and son Noah,4.
He then returns to the studio to record at least four more songs with the bad he has been working with lately. He says the current group is extremely talented.
“It’s actually daunting for me because they are so good at what they do and I just sort of hack out a few chords and sing,” he said.
Jackson says he may go on the road for an extended trip next summer, possibly touring festival sites in Western Canada.
But while his goals remain modest, his dreams remain big. He says he has no problem envisioning himself and his band playing sold out shows in front of giant crowds.
“Everybody wants that,” he says. “Everyone wants to play before thousands of people, lighting lighters and swaying and the whole works.
“Right now, I just think it would be nice to make a bit of money off some of my songs and play for people who respond to my music. If someday I headline somewhere, that would be great.
“If that doesn’t happen,” he adds with a shrug, “that’s part of it. I’m still proud of this latest CD. People have said they connected to it. That means quite a bit.”





- Bill Glisky-Prince Albert Daily Herald

Scott Jackson wows Chelan! April 8, 2005
By Dennis Rahm
GoLakeChelan.com


The historic Ruby Theatre in Chelan, Washington proved to be the ideal venue for an evening of original music by Canadian singer-songwriter Scott Jackson on Wednesday, April 6th. Jackson and his talented band entertained the crowd with songs from last year’s EP “My World” as well as all the songs from his most recent CD “Distractions”.

Opening the show was Jackson’s drummer, Aaron Grant, who put down his sticks long enough to delight the audience with his guitar playing, singing and offbeat sense of humor. In addition to Grant, the band consists of lead guitarist Jerry Wong, bassist Dave Latinga and keyboard player Geraldo Dominelli.

Fans at the recent Chelan concert were treated to an early preview of the new Scott Jackson CD “Distractions”. The official release of the cd will occur in mid-June and will coincide with tour of Western Canada. Scott and his band are looking forward to a busy summer concert schedule that may include a return visit to the outdoor amphitheatre at Tsillan Cellars Winery on the shores of Lake Chelan.

Over the past few years, Jackson has transitioned nicely from his rock and metal background into a genre of music that showcases his ability to craft catchy tunes and memorable lyrics. Jackson’s songs often times reflect his innermost thoughts and are delivered with passion in a clear and true voice, a voice that deserves to be heard. For more on Scott Jackson, check out his official website at www.scottjacksonmusic.com where you can view photos and keep up to date on upcoming shows.

Music Rating: A+

Concert & Show Rating: A MUST SEE




- Dennis Rham - Go Lake Chelan Radio

Scott Jackson

Distractions released 2006

Producer: Jerry Wong



The list of credits on this album reads like a whos who of Canadian musicians. Jerry Wong (Damn The Diva, Bif Naked, Loverboy), Geraldo Dominelli (Loverboy, West End Girls), Geoff Hicks and Odds alumni; Pat Stewart and Doug Elliott (the latter being very familiar names and faces to me, seeing them perform live many times with Colin James).



Distractions is one of those releases that doesnt really fit into one set genre - and for that matter, why should it? With a mix of pop/rock/folk and roots, Scott Jackson is an artist who is comfortable exploring all those genres that really do not need description. Containing 11 tracks, Distractions is Scotts second solo release, following on the heals of his 6 song EP, My World.



Opening with the upbeat hit single Cmom Cmom, this lively pop track starts the CD off very nicely, and then moving into When You Gonna Come Down, another nice pop track with a hint of a rock edge thanks to a heavy guitar accompaniment. Lyrically, Scott shows his prowess with the reflective, She Cries. This tune touched me the most, taking an event that has inspired many an artist, Scott lets his music and words tell his own tale of soul searching.



Scotts folksy/rootsy side comes out in the tracks, In The Morning, Precious Things, Empty Cup, Mercy and Tears of Bourbon. Like other artists who refuse to fit into a cookie cutter sound, Scott uses a mix of acoustic guitar, keys, harmonica and on Tears of Bourbon a mandolin; to set the mood. With each of these tracks I couldnt help but liken the sound to that of the critically acclaimed, Blue Rodeo, who also move effortlessly from rock to pop to folk and roots, but always with their own flair and sound that could easily be heard on adult contemporary stations as well as country stations all over North America.



Rich in melody as well as lyrically, Scotts own version of non-genre specific music defies classification. Where does all this fit into? Is it pop/country/folk? Does all of this really matter? Too often we are striving to fit round objects into round holes and square objects into square holes, rather then just seeing them as objects and appreciating them for just that, and the joy they bring. Isnt it nice to know that in the vast world of musical expression, there are artists like Scott Jackson that refuse to fit into a nice tidy round hole.
- Shannon Ambrose

Scott Jackson
Distractions
(Roots Rock)
A/R Group International / Pound Hill


The album “Distractions” represents the true definition of songwriting. Expertly penned tunes written from the heart. Vocals delivered with passion, intensity and grace, perfectly paired with lyrics of universal wisdom. Scott Jackson is certainly one of Canada’s hidden musical gems. The ballad “What Are We Waiting For?” is in a class of its own rivaling, if not exceeding the intensity of Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When We Touch”. A Neil Young moment occurs like déjà vu during the track “Empty Cup” another one of the album’s highlights. This album is laden with harmony layers and choruses that take you to where you want to go and back again. The high energy lead track “c’mon c’mon” supercharges the mood with catchy hooks and a melodic kaleidoscope of brilliance and will be followed up with a worldwide video release. Scott Jackson is determined to take you on the musical ride of your life. He resides in beautiful British Columbia and performs live in the U.S. and Canada. Great highway driving tunes that also inspire under the stars by a campfire. A pleasing blend of acoustic and electric guitar with a hint of mainstream pop rock creeping in and out of the mix, with some interesting instrumentation along the way. “Distractions” takes you on a journey from a folky feel to a rootsy pop rock sound. “Walk A Line” is another winning track that rounds out this aural masterpiece. I highly recommend this album, keep an eye out for more great tunes up ahead from this phenomenal songwriter.


Contact Scott Jackson at:
www.scottjacksonmusic.com
- Boom Magazine - Moncton

Tragedy turned into poignant Dreams

Dream, a eulogy for his brother-in-law Kevin Manuel, is a song that Scott Jackson has only played live on two occasions; it brings back too many painful memories.

Jackson, a Maple Ridge singer/songwriter, wrote the song in only a few minutes, as the emotion of losing Manuel in a drowning accident put him in a creative mind where the words and music just flowed. It was an epiphany of sorts, which he says came after the family mourned the death of Manuel for about a week, using a healthy dose of alcohol to drown their sorrows.

For Jackson, the song was written mainly for his sister, although he was good friends with Manuel before the two were married.

Dream is one of 11 songs (nine new tracks, two remastered songs) on Jackson's new album Distractions, which will be released on June 22 and will be followed by a tour of Western Canada. Distractions is Jackson's fourth album and was produced by Jerry Wong (Damn the Diva, Bif Naked, Loverboy).

Jackson started playing acoustic guitar when he was 21, after his dreams of a professional hockey career fizzled out.

"It was a huge disadvantage," said the 37-year-old Jackson, of his late start in the music industry. "I was too busy trying to be an NHL hockey player and I should have looked around at the genetics in my family."

At five foot four and 155 pounds (during his playing days) Jackson is probably right, although he did have a successful college career with the Camrose College Vikings, where he played for four years.

Although he earned an English degree from Camrose, Jackson says the most challenging part of becoming a musician has been coming up with lyrics. Part of the problem for the roots-rocker is that he has a habit of comparing his lyrics with those written by some of his idols, say Leonard Cohen for example.

Jackson says he has been heavily influenced by his uncle Peter Weckworth, who wrote the lyrics for Tears of Bourbon, which appears on Distractions.

Weckworth created the web site www.bourbonhours.com, essentially a celebration of all things related to the Kentucky Derby - Bourbon, wild parties, blue grass country music, traditional Kentucky food, and of course horse racing.

Jackson always co-writes a song with Weckworth to put on the site leading up to Triple Crown season and says he's envious of Weckworth's lyrical skills.

Via Satellite, released in 1995, was Jackson's first album and he followed that up by forming a band called MK Ultra and releasing the album Apple that spent five weeks at the top of the HMV independent charts. The band headlined New Music West and opened for Nickleback, before Jackson went solo.

"I'm kind of selfish with my song writing," said Jackson. "I tried to work collaboratively...but it didn't work out."

Wong and Jackson met about seven years ago in a musician's hockey league, playing out in Burnaby. Eventually Jackson sent a demo of his single What are We Waiting For to Wong, who loved it and became his music collaborator.

"He's really versatile and he's got a lot to bring to the table," said Jackson, describing the influence Wong has had on his career.

Whether it's hooking Jackson up with the right studio or playing guitar on Distractions, Wong has been vital in educating Jackson on the music industry.

My World, the first solo album for Jackson, was an EP which received great reviews, even though it only had six songs.

Looking back at his first few albums, Jackson says his writing has matured to the point where the lyrics are more personal as opposed to preaching about the mistakes of others.

"You pretend you have this moral superiority," said Jackson, who does behavior consulting for the Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living. "Then you look at your own life and realize there's a lot of shit going, lots of material."

w Jackson's CD release party for Distractions is scheduled for June 22 at the Railway Club in Vancouver. For information check out www.scottjacksonmusic.com.

- Maple Ridge Times - June 10, 2005

July 22, 2005 - Review of Distractions

Independent release, 2005

Review by: Jason Warburg

Originally published: July 22, 2005

Ahhhhhh.

This was my reaction after replacing my umpteenth listen to Pink Floyd (we've got a retrospective to finish, y'know) with Distractions, a decidedly more upbeat release from one of the most talented independent artists I've come across in the past year, singer-songwriter Scott Jackson. Building on last year's strong EP My World, this full-length disc moves Jackson's music forward in fine style.

Jackson builds his material from an acoustic, rather Jackson Browne-ish base of supple melodies, delicate vocals and introspective lyrics. But here, as on My World, he pushes it to the next level with the assistance of collaborator/producer/guitarist Jerry Wong, whose jangly electric leads bring these songs firmly into the roots-rock realm occupied by the likes of Tom Petty, John Hiatt and BoDeans.

What you end up with, then, is thinking-man's folk-rock. "C'mon C'mon" kicks things off with a roar, a rollicking number about being true to yourself and listening to your muse when "you wanna say all those things no one's ever said before." Later on, "In The Morning" takes a bluesier, more contemplative approach to one of Hiatt's favorite themes -- redemption.

The music throughout is solid and well-played, but the memorable lines Jackson comes up with to punctuate these songs are what consistently makes them come to life for me. The line "These secrets are sounding like thunder / Deep in my mind" is the crux of the steady-rocking "When You Gonna Come Down"; so it is also with "Precious Things" and "I live fast, learn slow / These are the things I have come to know."

This disc, Jackson's first full-length, wisely includes remastered versions of two of the best numbers from My World, "Empty Cup" and "What Are We Waiting For." Both fit in perfectly with this set's undercurrents of introspection and spirituality (the latter being most prominent on cuts like "She Cries" and "Mercy"). "Tears Of Bourbon" makes for a fitting closer, a bit of a barroom weeper -- as the title clearly implies -- but arranged as a gentle gospel blues that renders Jackson's sometimes-fragile vocals positively luminous.

As Distractions go, this disc is one I'd gladly ask to color my day again. These eleven songs are full of genuine soul, and immaculately arranged, played and produced. Do yourself a favor and lend Scott Jackson your ear.


- Jason Warburg - the Daily Vault