Jonesy — No Alternative 1972 (UK, Heavy Progressive Rock

Jonesy — No Alternative 1972 (UK, Heavy Progressive Rock)

The debut album by the English progressive rock band from London, formed in January 1972. It features hard-edged, jazzy prog rock in the vein of King Crimson. Contrary to the band's wishes, the band's management chose the final track, "Ricochet," for a single, which, incidentally, was recorded in quadraphonic format. JONESY were an important piece of the early stage in UK's Progressive rock attack.The band was formed in 1971 by brothers Trevor and John Jones,while the original line-up included also Terry Cutting and Berbie Hugley.However this line-up wouldn't live on.Trevor had arguments with his brother John related to the band's musical direction and now the line-up included new members David Paul (bass/vocals), Jim Payne (drums/percussion) and Jimmy Kaleth (various keys/vocals).With this formation JONESY recorded their first album ''No alternative'' in 1972.
The eponymous opener sets you in the general mood of the album with its rockin' riffs,great breaks and intense percussion work,typical of the early-70's UK Prog bands.In ''Heaven'' things seem to soften,as this is a good ballad with nice bluesy guitars,smooth vocal lines and calm mellotron throughout.The busy musicianship returns on ''Mind of the century'',a piece in the vein of early-KING CRIMSON with fine mellotron scratching and good interplays between guitars,rhythm section and keys.''1958'' is maybe the most complex track JONESY ever composed.8 minutes of trully busy and complicated rock music with an almost jazzy guitar approach and some frenetic drumming leading the way.''Pollution'' contains also tons of mellotron, but this time its the guitars and bass which take over,delivering alternating tempos and constant battles between them,reminding GRACIOUS at their best.''No alternative'' closes with ''Ricochet'', where the funky side of JONESY is mixed up with the nostalgic sound of the mellotron in a very satiisfying way.Summing up,this is definitely a very decent release of early- 70's prog rock,with lovers of mellotron finally finding their paradise.Complicated musicianship, pretty good individual performances and a rockin' atmosphere is what you'll get purchasing this album.Recommended to dedicated fans of 70's rock/prog!Review by apps79

Tracks:

01. No Alternative - 0:00

02. Heaven - 8:15

03. Mind Of The Century - 16:26

04. 1958 - 20:36

05. Pollution - 28:32

06. Ricochet - 38:11


Personnel:

John Evan-Jones — lead guitar, VCS3 synthesizer, lead vocals (02, 06), producer
Jimmy Kaleth - mellotron, electric piano, grand piano, lead vocals (01, 03, 04)
David Paull - bass, lead vocals (05)
Jim Payne - drums, percussion
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Billy Kennedy - producer


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