Jonas – Living the « Suite Life »

A few years ago, I heard a voice. I had a moment like the one I had when I heard Taylor Hicks for the first time. There are artists who reach out and grab you, there are artists who grow on you slowly. For many of us (I’d wager to say that pretty much all of my Soul Patrol friends), Taylor Hicks was an artist that grabbed us.. and he has yet to let go, we have not been let down. Well, as I said, a few years ago, I heard a voice. A singer named Jonas. A hometown boy… Montreal talent! And he grabbed me instantly. I feel it’s time to introduce you all to his talent. Oddly, from the very moment I figured out how to add a link to my American Idol profile, I added a link to Jonas’s website. I have a very strong “rocker chick” side to me.. and he certainly appeals to those sensibilities. His voice will give you chills, his songwriting partner and guitar player, another local boy from the Kahnawake Mohawk reservation, Corey Diabo knows how to make a guitar sing. Old school rock ladies and gents.. “Crank up the volume” songs that leave you smiling! The south has Taylor Hicks.. Montreal has Jonas Tomalty…. Blues rock… Great guitar riffs and a voice that hits you like a sledge-hammer.. Powerful but controlled.. The true test of his talent comes in the live performances in which he does not disappoint and has a presence that only an artist who has been working at his craft for a long time possesses… He started his lead singer career back in the 90s, when he was 14 years old, fronting a band called Rubberman, an alternative rock band. And even then, he had great stage presence and a firm grasp on his vocal talent and style. The band won a contest put on by the local Rock station CHOM 97.7 FM, L’esprit contest. And Montreal’s love affair with Jonas began. Rubberman released their one and only album in 2001. His love of blues lead him to Jonas and the Blues Blooded.. this love of blues he inherited from his father and his father was with him in this band.. listen to this folks… Shake your moneymaker. Tell me his guitarist isn’t talented… I dare you! And from that journey, he emerges as a Phoenix with a band that complements him wonderfully. He writes beautifully, and when he does do a cover, he makes it his own. His version of “Edge of Seventeen” rocks. And when he sings “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” a Van Morrison song.. well he makes my heart skip a beat! You don’t get people like Desmond Child, or Steven Tyler and Joe Perry (uh huh.. of Aerosmith fame) to contribute to your debut album (even writing a song.. “When the rain stops”) if you’re not talented. Seeing him perform, I am taken back and imagine artists like Robert Plant and Jim Morrison. And I have a MAJOR thing for Robert Plant, oh yes I do! And Led Zeppelin (easily one of my all-time favorite bands) is an inspiration for him and his bandmates… and it shows. He has just recently released his second CD.. “Suite Life” and oh boy! I wish I could share that music with you.. Do yourselves a favor… give him a listen… you can hear a snippet of “Supersexme” on his myspace.. the first single on his second CD or on his website.. links to a jukebox and videos… Thank the angels in heaven he didn’t go for Rock Star like Mark Burnett (yes.. that sorry INXS lead singer search… ugh!) wanted him to… Jonas’s own words… BURN THE HOUSE DOWN I met a sketchy little woman and she walked a crooked line She took a page from the bible turning water into wine She talked about a spirit said she had a crystal ball Even spoke with the devil made a telephone call With her Hocus Pocus, oils and brews Everything she did was front page news The people all came on a Saturday night, We’ll run her outta town and if she puts up a fight Then we’ll burn the house down, Burn the house down, burn the house down and throw away the key So the Bishop takes his Queen across a checkerboard square Took a rose from her garden and a lock from her hair He talked some mumbo jumbo ‘bout the moon and the stars Said he’s walkin' on water when he’s drivin' his car Another Saturday night and the newspapers read The holyman died he was smoking in bed Burn the house down, burn the house down And throw away the key Burn the house down, burn it to the ground And throw away the key So when you’re sleepin' all alone and there’s a knock on your door And you’re on your knees and prayin' ‘cause your life is a war Say a Hail Mary as running out of town And Thank the Lord you’re living as they burn your house down Burn the house down, burn the house down, down,down And throw away the key Burn the house down, burn it to the ground And throw away the key Like Travis always says.. ok with my own twist.. crank it up folks… and rock on! Like a River – live in concert in Victoriaville Quebec back in 2004 Daddy – video for the first single on his debut album Posted By:Jonas Get this video and more at MySpace.com Burn the House Down!!! – Live Edge of Seventeen – Live at Radio Énergie – a promo event held around Christmas I believe in 2005… Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!