North Avenue Wake Up Call

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North Avenue Wake Up Call
Studio album by
the Freddy Jones Band
Released1995
RecordedChicago Recording Company
GenreRock
LabelCapricorn[1]
ProducerJustin Niebank
The Freddy Jones Band chronology
Waiting for the Night
(1993) 		North Avenue Wake Up Call
(1995) 		Lucid
(1997)

North Avenue Wake Up Call is an album by the American band the Freddy Jones Band, released in 1995.[2][3] The title refers to the Chicago expressway exit the band used whenever they returned home from touring.[4]

The album peaked at No. 186 on the Billboard 200.[5] The band supported the album by touring with Sonia Dada.[6]

Production[edit]

The album was produced by Justin Niebank.[7] It is about life as a working band; all four Freddy Jones Band members contributed to the songwriting, inspired by spending 250 days on tour the previous year.[8][9] The band undertook short tours while recording the album to help them better shape the songs.[10][11] Howard Levy played harmonica on the album.[12]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
The Cincinnati PostB−[14]
Daily Herald[15]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[16]
Star–Banner[17]

The Chicago Tribune wrote that "the band showcases its breezy, polished blend of sharp guitar hooks, congenial melodies, and dusty tales of life on the road... The songs seamlessly mix bits of R&B, roots music, rock, and blues."[18] The Sun-Sentinel called the album "a funked-up mixture of rock and blues as befits Chicago natives; the FJB takes it all in and plays it right back out in measure."[19] The Richmond Times-Dispatch opined that the Freddy Jones Band "maintains its lithe melodies with an added power punch."[20]

The State noted that "'Deep in the Flow' is funky; 'Wherever You Roam' is bluesy; and the band approaches ZZ Top decibel levels on 'Goodbye'."[21] The Daily Herald determined that "the Jones boys' hallmarks are melodic invention, strong vocals and incisive instrumental work—all elements present in force here."[15] The Cincinnati Post concluded that "Hammond organ and mandolin fills help give this pop its Midwestern character, with a rock and blues base."[14] The Star–Banner deemed the album "a sincere-sounding set of progressive, groove-intensive rock that's also radio-friendly."[17]

AllMusic wrote that the "impressive" album "retains the group's roots rock attack but manages to pay more attention to songs and lyrics."[13]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleLength
1."Waitress" 
2."Old Angels" 
3."Hold On to Midnight" 
4."Ferris Wheel" 
5."Rain" 
6."Turn" 
7."Goodbye" 
8."Alone" 
9."This Could Be Soon" 
10."Deep in the Flow" 
11."Rietiem" 
12."Wherever You Roam" 
13."Warm Like Home" 
14."Under the Tree" 

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kening, Dan (June 30, 1995). "The Freddy Jones Band, General Public, the Chris Duarte Group". Time Out. Daily Herald. p. 8.
  2. ^ "The Freddy Jones Band Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Budnick, Dean (January 20, 1998). "Jam Bands": North America's Hottest Live Groups, Plus How to Tape and Trade Their Shows. ECW Press.
  4. ^ Siegel, Robert (30 Nov 1995). "Freddy Jones Band a People-Pleaser". Rhythm. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 4.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2010). Top Pop Albums (7th ed.). Record Research Inc. p. 294.
  6. ^ "Freddy Jones Band Always Trying to Reach the Next Level". Deseret News. November 3, 1995.
  7. ^ Verna, Paul (Aug 19, 1995). "Album reviews — North Avenue Wake Up Call by the Freddy Jones Band". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 33. p. 62.
  8. ^ Renzhofer, Martin (3 Nov 1995). "Busy Freddy Jones Band Succeeds by Playing Role of Road Warriors". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. E10.
  9. ^ Findlay, Prentiss (14 Sep 1995). "Roadside tire change gives band a name". The Post and Courier. p. D14.
  10. ^ Norman, Michael (May 4, 1995). "Live from the Recording Studio". The Plain Dealer. p. 10F.
  11. ^ DeVault, Russ (September 22, 1995). "Name Game". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. P2.
  12. ^ Dietrich, Matthew (August 17, 1995). "A Triumphant Return to Springfield". Entertainment. The State Journal-Register. p. 17.
  13. ^ a b "North Avenue Wake Up Call". AllMusic.
  14. ^ a b Wilson, Ken (August 31, 1995). "Freddy Jones Band". Perspective Extra. The Cincinnati Post. p. 25.
  15. ^ a b Kening, Dan (August 18, 1995). "'North Ave.' shows off Jones Band talent". Time Out. Daily Herald. p. 7.
  16. ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 457.
  17. ^ a b Evelyn, Tom (September 29, 1995). "Freddy's groovin', Aldin's croonin'". On the Go. Star–Banner. p. 7.
  18. ^ Reger, Rick (24 Nov 1995). "Who Are Those Guys? No Freddy Jones in This Posse, but the Band Rides On". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. S.
  19. ^ Schulman, Sandra (17 Sep 1995). "The Freddy Jones Band: North Avenue Wake Up Call". Sun-Sentinel. p. 3F.
  20. ^ McCarty, Patrick (September 14, 1995). "It's a Fit Band That Put Out 'Wake Up Call'". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. D10.
  21. ^ Miller, Mike (August 4, 1995). "FJB Delivers Fresh Take on Classic Sound". Weekend. The State. p. 12.
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