I doubt that this was entirely by design; I think it's more of a case of a guy laying out what he feels musically to whoever cares to listen. JJEM is Gordie Marvin, who is basically your next door neighbor with a guitar and sequencer, a supportive wife, and some recording knowledge. His lyrics are somewhat...simplistic, true, but that wasn't exactly a weakness back in the early days of rock. Geeze, Cookie & the Cupcakes sang some of the dumbest lyrics on some of the best songs ever recorded. Not everybody is Bob Dylan; not everybody needs to be. Marvin is not exactly a guitar wizard, either, but on the other hand, he's good enough that he didn't have to bring in some studio gunslinger to phone in some solos like some people we could name. No, Marvin plays almost everything on MUSIC STEW himself, and it all comes together so well that there's a charm that permeates every track on this CD. And here is where I think it comes from. Marvin wrote some songs and sat down and recorded them without much concern over demographics or airplay or charts or editing out mistakes. All he wants to do is communicate. As a result, when he sings "I Wanna Know" what the heck is bugging his significant other, there is not a guy on the planet who won't identify with it. Similarly, who hasn't experienced the feelings expressed in "Ball and Chain," a lowdown, sinister rocker full of anger and pain with the ultimate philosophy of don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. On the other hand, you can;t escape the true feeling of "I Love You Honestly" or "Heaven Will Have To Wait," either. Marvin wears his heart on his sleeve, and the result is this unassuming little masterpiece where no two songs sound alike and the guy's feelings shine through so that no matter whether he hits or misses lyrically there's no doubting, or mistaking, the sincerity of whatever emotion inspired each cut on MUSIC STEW.

As a result Marvin has recorded a CD with one foot planted in the '50s and the other in the present, straddling the best of both worlds. If you have forgotten, or ever wondered, what rock 'n' roll was supposed to be about, a taste of MUSIC STEW will spell it out to you. You'll even go back for seconds. Availabale at www.CDBaby.com