Jonathan Cain - The Songs You Leave Behind: From The Book Don't Stop Believin'
STYLE: Rock RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 171206-27079 LABEL: The Fuel Music FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by John Farrington
Inspired by his memoir Don't Stop Believin', veteran rocker Jonathan unveils songs taken from his pre-Journey career and some never before released. The album itself is about identity, it's about Cain trying to define himself. This is clearly evidenced in the opening title track. The Chicago-born keyboard player who says the whole song came to him in about 20 minutes whilst in his car explains he wants to be remembered for the songs he leaves behind. In "Better Man" he shares his personal journey of faith. It's also one of the only tracks of the album that departs from his classic '70s feel. "When The Spirit Comes" is an uplifting number all about being touched by the Holy Spirit and believers being united in the celebration of it. It could certainly be a hit amongst those with a faith despite Cain not intending for this collection to be 'hits' or to sound commercial. In 1958, 92 students and three nuns died in a fire that took place in Jon's school. He was a survivor and "The Day They Became Angels" was his way of commemorating that tragedy 50 years on. It's in Jon's honest and vulnerable lyrics followed by his skilled arrangements that makes his music precious to listen to whilst expanding the musical narrative of the songwriter's career. Any fan of Journey, The Babys or Bad English will certainly enjoy giving this one a go.
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