IndiePulse Reviews: “Live at Harvelle’s”, by Blues-Rock Guitarist/Vocalist Jon Geiger

Review by Joseph Timmons: IndiePulse Music Journalist

A veteran of the Austin music scene, Jon Geiger has released a live performance album simply titled “Live at Harvelle’s”, a raw and gritty selection of tracks performed by an artist that is the real deal, with rock & Roll energy fused with jazzy blues and iron tough skill. Jon Geiger pulls no punches and simply knocks it out with blazing hot riffs and sweet grooves, backed by his heavy hitter bandmates, this album is a fiery hit.

Jon Geiger has been called one of SoCal’s hardest-working blues men, and for good reason: the blues-rock guitarist and vocalist is seemingly always gigging. In a December 2022 live show review, respected national magazine Music Connection wrote, “Jon Geiger’s songs are well-written, with catchy lyrics and good melodies…’Feeling Good’ is a slow, moody, down ‘n’ dirty blues tune that engaged the music with (Geiger’s) vocals and gave the audience something to sink their teeth into”. The same is so true now, this release is surely going to be what inspires his fans as well as musicians to come.

Reviews by Track:

Many reviews will list all the tracks and give commentary on every aspect of a song, I have been shying away from it, hoping that our readers will go out to experience the music for themselves, but with this album , I would like to entertain you with some of the tracks I feel are the best of the entire offerings, this album is a fully whole and creative collection of songs, and all are truly worth of you discern, but some songs are legendary in their own right, so let me wax poetic on this treasure trove of hits.

Of the 13 (a truly lucky number) tracks, there are some that truly stand out, I will cover them in no particular order….

TEXAS FLYER: this track is down and dirty, not to be handled lightly, no frills but full of power and drive, big and bouncy beat and hard rock guitar. The vocals remind me of the dark clubs where the smoke looms hot over the eyes and there is a serious feeling of blues and bourbon. it’s hot and garners respect.

AINT NO SUNSHINE: Jon’s rendition of this classic song of a b broken heart is fabulous, emotionally passionate as true to the sound of a man’s heart breaking with every breath. Its keeps close to the original song in conception and performance, breaking out only when the passionate performance crests over the air… it has pure mellow points and grabs you tight.

DONT HANG ME UP TO DRY: Now this is a fun track, it has a harder rock motion and makes you want to move, Jon’s vocals really pack a hard hit with this song, it’s a negotiation between a cool handed man and a hard soul woman, he claims his case and wins the fight. Its magical in its own hard-hitting way.

DESERT OF MY HEART: this one is a slower pace, heavy drum rhythms and easy chords draw you into a hypnotic sway, reminiscent of CREAM and vocals that are definitely brought from his inspiration of Eric Clapton himself, this would have caused a stir in any soul.

FEELING GOOD: Hard Blues all the way, in beat and measure, Jon’s Blues roots shine through, just a bit of distortion which is stirring and driving in this song of hope and some well-known desperation. You wonder how many times this man’s heart can be broken only to rise like a phoenix every single day.

These are but some of the tracks on this iconic album, I’m not saying they are the only good ones, but the ones that have stirred my heart and make my find pleasure in listening to them over and over.

Jon Geiger is no stranger to the stage, having performed through his career with many of the music performing greats, he sets his sights on a legacy of originality and vibrancy in his own way, stopping at nothing to bring his creative passions to the people.

Geiger grew up in New York and became a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu just to make it home from school safely on the tough streets of Harlem.  The deep soul of BB King’s “Live at the Regal” and the ferocious intensity of Eric Clapton’s guitar work were life-changing for Jon.  Playing guitar became Jon’s reason for living. 

The talent and passion of teen-aged Jon were quickly recognized by jazz greats such as Emily Remler and Hiram Bullock, both whom took him on as a student.  Remler even referred to Jon as her ‘protégé.’  His talent and hard work paid off with a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. “John Scofield and Mike Stern (both whom played with Miles Davis) were both as big a part of my path as Emily and Hiram. They would hand me off in some cases from one to the other when they toured,” recalls Geiger. “I studied at their knee in their homes and no one cheered louder when I got my scholarships,” Geiger said in commentary.

After completing his studies in Boston, Jon promptly moved to Austin and began working alongside Austin’s numerous great musicians while playing Antone’s and the Texas’ numerous blues haunts. Presently, Jon and band continue their ascent on the Los Angeles music scene, with his unique blend of captivating guitar work, soaring vocals and artful songwriting. 

Geiger has opened for Robben Ford, John Mayall, Charlie Sexton, Doyle Bramhall, and Joe Ely among other greats.

Learn more about this Iconic Artist on his site and Social Media Links.

http://www.jongeiger.com

http://www.facebook.com/JonGeigerBand

http://www.instagram.com/jongeigermusic