Jukin' Bone - Unfinished Business (2018)

Unfinished Business…that’s for sure! In the early ‘70s, Jukin’ Bone’s sizzling live shows really did feel “…strong enough to make the dead come alive…”.I was one of thousands of fans who knew we were watching the emergence of a genuine rock ’n’ roll phenomenon. The dominoes were lining up - huge crowds, an RCA deal, a management contract, the buzz was palpable…it was just a matter of time. And then…silence.

Among the artifacts were two solid RCA albums - good, but failing to capture the essence of the explosive live presence. The studio production simply didn’t do the songs or the artists justice.
Forty years passed with a few fun reunion gigs…the bond between Joe Whiting, Mark Doyle, John DeMaso Miralles, and George Egosarian stood the test of frustration and time.

In 2017, the SAMMYS (Syracuse Area Music Awards) recognized Jukin’ Bone with a Hall of Fame Award. It was great to see them happily together and I was honored to induct them! Shortly thereafter, an Italian label offered a substantial re-release deal for their pre-Jukin’ Bone recordings under their original name, Free Will. Giorgio Mangora of Comet Records heard the magic contained in the old demos - great ears!

Energized by these validating landmarks, the guys began talking about the album they had always wanted to make: a record that showcased the voodoo of the rockin’ material and the swampy marination of the slower songs. The album would benefit from a lifetime of lessons that fostered maturity in song-craft and performance chops. Jukin’ Bone’s soulful rock authenticity is far more palpable on Unfinished Business than on RCA’s Whiskey Woman and Way Down East.
Mark Doyle has always been a widely recognized multi-instrumental wizard but he has become the world-class producer that the younger Jukin’ Bone never had.
Joe Whiting developed a growing arsenal of polished voices and nuanced flavors over the decades.
George Egosarian plumed the fringes of rock chording, ever stretching the writing team toward pleasingly unexpected places.

John DeMaso Miralles is now even more inventively weaving his Latin roots into the fabric.
Special guest Josh Dekaney, like original drummer Tom Glaister, provides the breadth of a classical percussionist reveling in the power of straight-ahead rock’n’roll.

True artistry always involves risk-taking. On Unfinished Business Jukin’ Bone sets aside pretension and asks us to look at the essence of songs and performances. They didn’t dazzle us with countless roadhouse shows to familiarize us with the music. They seem to ask us to judge them with mature ears AND youthful souls.

What a story! A deliciously just outcome in which great music prevails! Brothers who suffered at the hands of unscrupulous moguls and plain bad luck, triumph in the end. Whatever happens now, Jukin’ Bone’s Unfinished Business finally attests to what we fans have known for so long. Now subsequent generations will understand our excitement…thank goodness…as a fan for nearly fifty years, I am vindicated by Unfinished Business!
David M. Rezak Rock’n’Roll since 1948

Track List:
01 Big Money 04:27
02 Changin' Minds 04:28
03 Nothin' to Lose 04:29
04 Gris Gris 03:58
05 Mona's Gone 03:48
06 Born Bad 04:27
07 End of the Bar 04:17
08 Today I Sing the Blues 06:57
09 I Ain't Got Nothin' 03:03
10 One Good Reason 04:36

More Music in My Blog
Follow My RSS Channel