PASSING THE TORCH OF GUITAR SUPERNOVAS
By Peter Rodman

Nashville, Tennessee

I’ve known John Jorgenson since the 1980s…mostly through Chris Hillman (and his Desert Rose Band), and in later years, seen him work with Elton John, and a wonderful project he did in tribute to John Loudermilk, among other things. I was always aware he had these “other” groups and musical interests, and always knew he was a great guitarist.
Stipulated.
But last night I saw a performance that, in my mind, puts him among the greatest of all time. Mind you, I have seen guitarists of all kinds, all over the world, over the past six decades…
But this! This was something extra special. The John Jorgenson Quintet is devoted to blending the sound and feel of ‘musics’ from all over the world, with no flashbombs, no special effects, and no pedals, to speak of–just sheer virtuosity.
Each player is a monster in his own right.
And at the epicenter is a man so devoted to his craft, he flew from Switzerland to Italy to New York to Nashville (having just left Elton) just to play a FREE show, at Nashville’s uber-elegant Hermitage Hotel.
It was unbelievable.
His tributes to Django Reinhardt were played as well as Django himself ever played. The same guy who knocked my socks off pickin’ “Hello Trouble” and “Love Lies Bleeding” for Hillman and Elton, respectively, sat there in a simple folding chair with a variety of acoustic guitars and claimed the mantle, at least for me: John Jorgenson is currently the virtuoso of our time.
When time came for an actual Django song, John observed that much of the master’s work had been fretted with only two fingers, as Django had actually lost the other two.
So what did he do? He (John) learned to play them exactly as had Reinhardt–with just those two fingers! And last night, a stunned crowd of (let’s admit it) somewhat jaded, seen-it-all music people (more than a few of them worn out from another Summer NAMM convention) were obviously seduced, enchanted, and aghast…in that order.
This was a novel gift unlike any concert I’ve seen in ages.
I still remember my favorite “day” on the Mickey Mouse Club, during the 1950s…in black and white, on little round TV sets.
It was “Anything Can Happen” day.
Last night, John Jorgenson took us all on a world tour of music, stepping through time and space as though he’d found the key to musical bliss itself, and couldn’t wait to share it.
I feel lucky to have been among a few hundred souls who got to take that ride.
NOW I know why he’ll do six gigs in six different continents–and six different configurations, styles, set-ups, and settings–in almost as few days! This is not some kind of show-off session for him, as it often is with flat-pickers. (And if it ever was for John, it’s not anymore.) And it’s not about money, or even recognition. (Believe me he’s doin’ fine, on both counts.)
This is a man who has finally found his “mission” in full, and that is an almost evangelical passion, to spread his (mostly) wordless love of the guitar, to one and all. His is an ecumenical appreciation for all different cultures, which has in turn elevated his playing, his presence, and his versatility to a whole new level.
I realize I’ve just used several terms usually associated with crusty ol’ religious organizations, and these days that can have a jarring, backwards-sounding ring.
But that’s not it, at all.
What this IS, is the passion of a true Guitar God, generously sharing his own breakthroughs, with the knowledge that the center of our human experience is to achieve excellence, and then share it as much and as often as you can, while you still can.
So I’m gonna say it out loud, once more:
Let it be known that as of July 19, 2019…John Richard Jorgenson is, in my opinion, the greatest guitar player on the planet. The good news is, he probably HOPES somebody just as inspired comes along soon, to take the crown.
~Peter Rodman–July 20, 2019

John said himself on this honor:

“Proud to be on the cover of a magazine that I’ve read for 40 years! Many thanks to BU, the “Bible of Bluegrass”, and to Nancy Cardwell for really “getting” our music and the intention and history behind it.”

Thank you, Nancy, and thank you, to all the editors at BU as well.

John Jorgenson continues to expand his dynamic range of musical offerings, exploring new elements of world music, bluegrass, rock and classical as he captivates and enlightens fellow musicians and listeners along the way.

Check out the story on stands now and you can get your copy here.

“Jorgenson’s dexterity, speed, and beauty on acoustic guitar were astonishing, and one could only watch in awe…”– NO DEPRESSION

Nashville, Tenn.— July 13, 2018 is shaping up to be a big day for true, longtime connoisseurs of high-test bluegrass music. That is the day music lovers can enjoy the highly celebrated From the Crow’s Nest album, available individually for the first time from bluegrass supergroup J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band) featuring Herb Pedersen, Jon Randall and Mark Fain. Listeners will be treated to a 15-track, roots-inspired bluegrass experience unlike anything they’ve heard before from GRAMMY® Award winning musicians with a special chemistry.

With modern-day instrumental master John Jorgenson at the helm, From the Crow’s Nest features Jorgenson’s powerful mandolin and acoustic guitar work, as well as lead and harmony vocals. He’s joined by his band mates that include fellow Desert Rose Band co-founder Herb Pedersen (banjo, guitar, vocals); former Nash Rambler and award-winning songwriter Jon Randall (guitar, vocals); and renowned bassist Mark Fain (Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder).

From the Crow’s Nest was recorded at Sheryl Crow’s barn-based studio at her home in Nashville over the course of three days. Drawing on inspiration from a wide range of co-existing styles, the seamlessly interwoven three-pronged harmonies of Jorgenson, Randall and Pedersen send listeners into the harmony nirvana appreciated by music lovers of The Seldom Scene; The Dillards; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; and the Rice/Rice/Hillman/Pedersen albums of the late 1990s.

Songwriters contributing to the largely original record include Jorgenson, Pedersen, Randall, Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark, JD Souther, Mitch Jayne, Rodney Dillard and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Member Chris Hillman. The album’s last track, “Whiskey Lullaby,” co-written by Jon Randall and Bill Anderson, won 2005’s CMA Song of the Year Award for Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss along with the songwriters. Pedersen’s contemporary bluegrass/country rock standard, “Wait a Minute,” also included on From the Crow’s Nest, has been previously recorded by The Seldom Scene, among others. Fifteen-time IBMA Dobro Player of The Year Rob Ickes lends his talents to “Travelin’ Angels” and “If You Could See.”

The art that John Jorgenson, Herb Pedersen, Jon Randall and Mark Fain create together is the kind of music that, like a shot of the very best, aged bourbon whiskey, goes down smooth, over seamless — angelic-tinged, with middle-aged wisdom — vocal harmonies and instrumental work both masterful and tasteful with a soul searching perspective. But then the listener is hit with a delayed punch to the gut that breaks a heart lyrically one minute and opens windows of understanding the second.

Bluegrass aficionados may recognize From the Crow’s Nest. It originally made up one-third of Jorgenson’s acclaimed limited edition, three-CD, Divertuoso box set release on Cleopatra Records, but this earthy musical collaboration garnered so much attention that the label knew this bluegrass album needed to be released on its own.

From the Crow’s Nest will be in stores on July 13^th, 2018 and is available online worldwide on Cleopatra Records.

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J2B2 MEMBERS:

JOHN JORGENSON >> MANDOLIN, ACOUSTIC GUITAR + VOCALS {ELTON JOHN, BONNIE RAITT, EARL SCRUGGS + MANY MORE}

HERB PEDERSEN >> BANJO, ACOUSTIC GUITAR + VOCALS {THE DILLARDS, OLD AND IN THE WAY, EMMYLOU HARRIS + MANY MORE}

JON RANDALL >> ACOUSTIC GUITAR + VOCALS {“WHISKEY LULLABY” CMA SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR, EMMYLOU HARRIS’ NASH RAMBLERS, EARL SCRUGGS + MANY MORE}

MARK FAIN >> BASS {RICKY SKAGGS AND KENTUCKY THUNDER, ALISON KRAUSS, DOLLY PARTON + MANY MORE}

J2B2 TOUR DATES

Find more John Jorgenson tour dates here.

J2B2 CRITICAL ACCLAIM:

“It would not be a stretch to call J2B2 a dream team of string musicians…”
– THE PATRIOT LEDGER

“J2B2 delivers bluegrass with a touch that no one else has… they bend and shape their vocals with incredible harmonies… likewise, their instrumental prowess is top-shelf. They put on a high-energy show, and had the audience up on the their feet – after they’d stopped laughing from the stage patter. This band had the chops on both instruments and vocals to be one of the best in the business.” – ELMORE MAGAZINE

“Marvelous instrumental interactions… capped by an encore that negotiated the gears to the point where seat belts were advisable.” – THE HERALD (SCOTLAND)

“A generous and fully appreciative audience, clearly well aware they were in the company of musical giants, spurred on four wonderful musicians to instinctively push themselves beyond their comfort zone of absolute excellence. Eventually their instrumental interplay and astonishing three-part harmonies transcended the band’s collective CV – no mean feat when you consider that includes the likes of Bob Dylan, Elton John, Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Dolly Parton and Earl Scruggs… but for all the skill and finesse on the show, this was primarily a night of high lonesome feelings, of heartfelt music expertly delivered and warmly received.”
– THE GRANVILLE CHAMBERS (UK)

“There’s a touch of California breeze in their sound, but it’s bluegrass at its core.”
– CRAIG HAVIGHURST / MUSIC CITY ROOTS

“Expect fireworks and amazing playing from some of the best string players in the world!” – YES! WEEKLY (GREENSBORO, NC)

Here’s what others have said about John Jorgenson:

“Brilliant guitarist!” – ELTON JOHN

“Jorgenson’s dexterity, speed, and beauty on acoustic guitar were astonishing, and one could only watch in awe…” – NO DEPRESSION

“ John Jorgenson is one of my most favorite players. He is incredibly versatile and his solos are unique and melodic, played with amazing technique. My ‘guitarist’s guitarist. ” –PETER FRAMPTON

“If there was one guitar player I’d like to be, it would be John Jorgenson.”
– BRAD PAISLEY

“John Jorgenson is a true artiste. He’s a phenomenal musician.” – CHRIS HILLMAN

“This is a display of virtuosity rarely rendered.” – FRETBOARD JOURNAL

“John Jorgenson is one of the most respected guitarists in the world…” – LOS ANGELES TIMES

“John Jorgenson has a rare kind of genius for an instrumentalist in that he’s equally comfortable and capable of playing Buck Owens, Beatles riffs, or jazz leads…”
– NO DEPRESSION

“Jorgenson’s heroic effort truly deserves to be called Epic; a grand scale poem such as Homer’s ‘Iliad’ and ‘Odyssey’ or the Hindu classic ‘Mahabharta’. ” – GUITAR HD

johnjorgenson.com

For high-resolution photographs, review copy requests and interviews, please contact:

Kissy Black
Lotos Nile Media
P.O. Box 90245
Nashville, TN 37209
(o) 615-298-1144,1 or (m) 615.310-1894
kissyblack@lotosnile.com

Johnnel Prietos
Lotos Nile Media
johnnel@lotosnile.com