JACKSON STONE BAND

earBuzz Review: The Jackson Stone Band has put together eight high-energy metal rockin' tunes that land somewhere between Nugent, REO Speedwagon, and Blackfoot - balls to the walls rock, with Hammond organ, and a vocal quality that comes straight out of Alabama. The musicianship, backing voices, production, and performance are first rate. The highlight is singer/guitarist, Dave Verno's voice. The growl and phrasing is passionate and believable. The guy lives these songs - and it bleeds from the disc. That passion is matched by the band and all the background singers.
"Risin' High" is a tremendous tune with all the right components that make an anthem rocker - great guitar riff - interplay between the vocals and the guitar - chorus that is infectious - and blazing guitar solo. The highlight of the CD is the ballad "Seven Days" - it's a blues based rocker that doesn't stick to the 1,4,5. .and Verno soars vocally. Not much more to say - for those about to rock - we serve up Jackson Stone Band's music - great stuff.
- EARBUZZ.COM

Jackson Stone Band
Double Live
(www.jacksonstoneband.com)
When I heard Jackson Stone’s “Rising High” album last year, I was hooked. I love it when I hear a great Southern rock band that is from outside the south. Jackson Stone, from California, really hold the south close to their collective heart, a fact that is undeniable when listening to this double - CD set, recorded live at Konocti Harbor Showroom on August 7, 2005.
David Verno, Jr., the band leader is a big man with an equally big voice and a major gift for playing lead guitar, really shines here. Excellent cover versions of the Doobie Brothers’ “Dark Eyed Cajun Woman,” Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally” and Bobby Womack’s “It’s All Over Now” stand alongside Verno’s own “Gimme The Wheel,” and Hatchet’s version of Gregg Allman’s “Dreams I’ll Never See.”
It’s a classic rock and blues party baby, with killer takes on Skynyrd (“Simple Man,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “What’s Your Name”), ZZ Top (“Tush”), and blues classics “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Rock Me Baby,” and “Stormy Monday.”
Of course, one man is not a band. Adding real magic to the music are Buster Cherry on bass, Brian West on keys and Jeff Davis on drums. Ricky Kellogg (Canned Heat) sits in on “Stormy Monday.”
Dig it, if you can. Jackson Stone is one fine Southern flavored rock and blues band. Kick out the jams, brothers and sisters.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
- -Michael Buffalo Smith-

Sometimes it doesn't get any better
Reviewer: Just For Kicks Music (click for website)
What an excellent high quality southern rock masterpiece. If you are serious about music you should go for this album!
- Reviewer: Just For Kicks Music

Outstanding stomping southern rock music...the future is bright!
Reviewer: Mark Hammond
Over the last few months I have had quite a few Southern Rock CDs sent to me here in England. This one rates amongst the best. Have played it over a dozen times and it gets better each time! It is outstanding, stomping Southern Rock...meaning that the future of this whole music genre is bright and fresh!!!
- Reviewer: Mark Hammond

Outstanding southern rock.
Reviewer: Paul Howard
This cd is so good I can only hope it gets the recognition it deserves. As any fan of the music knows, there's a lot of so-called southern rock out there which is anything but. This is the real deal despite originating in California!

- Reviewer: Paul Howard

Reviewer: Dennis Wolfe
I have had the privilege of seeing this group perform many times and they keep getting better and better. Boy, does the crowd ever get into it when they play Risin High! All the songs rock! - Reviewer: Dennis Wolfe

QUARTERNOTES

Once in a very blue moon I get a new CD that makes the short hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Risin’ High did just that. I have not heard this good of a Southern rock album in awhile. The band is fronted by fellow “big man” singer / guitarist Dave Verno, Jr. who shares the stage with a strong supporting cast to deliver these power packed rockers. From the opening track “Call Up The Doctor”
To “Heavy Metal Outlaws” to “Risin’ High,” Jackson stone pulls off a sound that is a little Skynyrd, a little Outlaws, and a whole lot of passion.
- By: Michael Buffallo Smith