Jerry Hager Store

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It is always an enjoyable task, writing a review of a recording that has withstood the test of time … at least in my cd player. Jerry Hager’s "Sail" is one of the rare songs that has continued to receive play on Pro Critic Radio and Pro Critic Americana (on mp3.com) since I discovered it in January, 2001. "Sail" falls into the category of Mark Cohn’s Grammy award winner "Walking In Memphis." Grounded in the Memphis influence of Americana, Jerry manages to blend roots instrumentation into a contemporary nu-Nashville folk / country rock tale. Other noticeable similarities lay in some of the earliest works of James Taylor or Kenny Loggins, before each of them slipped into the morass of sugar they did. We’re talking pretty heavy company for an indie artist to be compared to. I’d not be surprised to have "Sail" in rotation with "Fire and Rain" or "Vahevalla" in my collection in another twenty years, "Sail" is that well balanced a piece of music. The long term appeal of this recording lies in the simple idea that a simple story, told simply and with passion often makes the best of recorded songs. Nothing fancy here folks, just plain old simple storytelling, done very very well. The production was handled with care. Smoothly mastered, the basic recording and mixing of this song allows it to stand up exceedingly well against some nationally / internationally recognized works of the past forty years … and in fact, against some mastering I’ve heard on major label stuff during the past forty years as well. Jerry also plays with some very highly accomplished musicians, including himself on acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass, and lead vocals. World class musicians, in fact. The performance chemistry on this recording is another facit that makes this song work so well. The performance is crisp … tight … in the pocket, with no sense at all of the kind of overplaying often heard with less seasoned and knowledgeable players. The players here mastered the individual parts before presenting the final product to the unsuspecting music fan. And that, is a treat. As much as it’s evident that the song was recorded with multiple dubs in order to allow Jerry the chance to play so many instruments, each performance is as organic and spontaneously satisfying as the performance it is layered upon. Charismatic, emotional, sensitive, light, well balanced, organic … these are the words I have in my head, describing the music of Jerry Hager. I have yet to tire of it … "Sail" is definitely a long term keeper. Chris K. Gods Of Music Musicians: Nancy Campbell, Kevin Hornback, Rob Mitchell, Gordie Burr, Chance Chambers, Brian Seabolt, Joe Polenzani, Brian Bell, Jody Nardone, Steve Quick