Parkers Pick - Jack Johnson's Brushfire Fairytales

A.K.A. The CD that refused to be reviewed.

About a month ago I had a day all to myself. It was a day to do as I wished, a "play day" if you will. So I slept in, then went to the music store and grabbed two cd's. The Dave Matthews Band's latest effort Busted Stuff and Brushfire Fairytales by lesser- known Jack Johnson.

As a Dave Matthews Band fan I was truly looking forward to seeing what remnants were left of the defunct Lilywhite Sessions, and what new tracks they had put together. However, on a whim as I sat in the parking lot I opted for Jack Johnson as my primary target. I didn't know much about this artist but took a chance after hearing the single "Flake" only a few weeks earlier and caving to my brothers constant "Try to get me a Jack Johnson cd from the record reps if you can." Dave Matthews never stood a chance. It was hours before the thought of even opening Busted Stuff crossed my mind. Not even the complimentary Busted Stuff DVD was enough to lure me away from Johnson's music.

Johnson's music does not contain the processing or bells and whistles that flood the airwaves of both television and radio. Instead it's a refreshing return to simplicity. Think of a laid back bonfire on the beach with your friends, cold beer, peace, an attractive stranger eyeing you from across the orange glow of burning logs, and some talented guitarist strumming and singing his heart out. That is all I can really tell you about this wonderful old addition to the music scene. I say old because Brushfire Fairytales came out in 2000. I attempted to review Brushfire Fairytales track by track twice but it refused to be reviewed that way. The first time I went to do so, I found the case buy my brother had borrowed it to make a copy. The second attempt was with a copy I had made for Cory Allen our nighttime guy. That Cd wouldn't run in my car or home stereo, so I let it be.

Jack Johnson's music isn't really to be reviewed by any media, it is simply to be suggested and recommended to others. So I highly suggest that you pick up a copy of Jack Johnson's Brushfire Fairytales this week.

Some others to enjoy are The John Butler Trio's 3, Ben Harper's Fight For Your Mind, and Coldplay's latest A Rush of Blood to the Head which I will be reviewing next issue. Until then, be kind grow a mullet.