Jess Roden - The Player Not The Game (1977) Japanese SHM-CD Reissue 2010

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Jess Roden - The Player Not The Game (1977) Japanese SHM-CD Reissue 2010

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When Robbie Krieger and John Densmore continued after the demise of The Doors, they brought in British soul singer Jess Roden to - ostensibly, and like it or not - fill the void left by the death of Jim Morrison. After all, the doors were essentially an R&B/Blues band with flights of poetic fancy. Already a regional star in the UK, Roden would return to his homeland after the Butts Band (what a horrid name!), and launch a solo career with his self-titled solo debut before forming The Jess Roden Band and delivering the very fine and subtly funky 'You Can Leave Your Hat On' (long before others picked up on Randy Newman's classic track), the live 'Blowin'', and the final band album, 'Play It Dirty, Play It Class'.

With 'Player Not The Game' Roden reverted to solo status, and while I miss the band (saw them live twice; they were great), this set lets the singer stretch wider (as would his 'Stone Chaser' album), revealing even more subtleties than those lower key moments on 'Leave Your Hat On'. Though I wasn't crazy on this album in the 70s, I now realise just how good it was…and is today.

Rather low-key, subtle and funky, with great tunes delivered by one of Britain's finest singers. No shouting, no screaming, no wailing guitars. This is classy - though certainly never sterile - stuff.

Review by WayneB, Amazon.com

With the likes of Mr Rod Stewart now warbling those ghastly supermarket covers albums; it is a real travesty that one of UK's greatest ever R&B vocalists is still virtually unknown, and most of his best recordings are not available. I still have a treasured vinyl copy of Roden's "The Player Not The Game" which I have had to recently replace with………..yet another vinyl copy that was very difficult to track down. There is no CD version - a complete and utter disgrace for any card-carrying R&B and jazz fan, who appreciates talent and integrity which Roden has in abundance.

The only JR CD currently available is a "Best Of"; which is superb, of course; but is not the equal of his brilliant solo albums such as his 1st (eponymous), Stonechaser & TPNTG. Those who know his work, will rank Roden alongside the UK's all time great R&B vocalists such as Steve Winwood, Long John Baldry and Roger Chapman. The current crop of TV Talent show oiks & Robbie Williamses are not fit to shine his shoes. He is also a superb songwriter - such as the great "Woman Across the Water" on TPNTG.

If you have a chance of seeing TPNTG in any format (even the vinyl copies are a rare as rocking horse xxxx) - then buy it. This was JR's move to New York to play with session supremos such as Leon Pendarvis; and produced by the legendary Joel Dorn. It has a similar sound to some of Paul Simon and Michael Franks' mid-late 70's albums as it uses many of the same musicians. It includes some great songs that are understated, heartfelt and lasting. I can only plead with whoever owns the masters of this & JR's other solos - please do us true music lovers a favour, and re-release his entire back catalogue. When I hear the likes of Rod Stewart betray his talent with his current crop of "Mum-rock" abominations, I despair that JR is still out there waiting to be heard…

Review by A. R. Durham, Amazon.co.uk

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Jess Roden - The Player Not The Game (1977) Japanese SHM-CD Reissue 2010

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Jess Roden - The Player Not The Game (1977) Japanese SHM-CD Reissue 2010

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Jess Roden - The Player Not The Game (1977) Japanese SHM-CD Reissue 2010

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