Jono Manson Press

"If you saw the Kevin Costner film "The Postman," you may remember the tattered folk rock ensemble featured in that film. Jono Manson was the rag-tag front man on guitar, and also composed some of the music for the film. It has been too long since we've heard from Jono here at True Blue, but his newest release, "Summertime" let us know that he sure hasn't been idle since we saw him last. The truth is no moss will ever grow on this rolling stone, as he jumps back and forth across the big pond between US and European tours. With a devoted following in Italy, Jono continues to draw new fans to the fold wherever his travels take him. The new release features Jono's signature blend of folk, rock, blues and soul, with infectious grooves of "Jr. Walker Drove the Bus" and "Please Stop Playing That Didgeridoo," culminating in the almost hypnotic strains of the closer "Summertime's Almost Over". Jono Manson continues to deliver his own road-tested and proven brand of soulful roots music in this new collection. We hope to see Jono come our way soon for a live date!"
Ellis Kell - True Blue - Quad Cities

“Jono Manson serves up a rippling blend of blue-eyed soul, country-rock and funked up R&B.”
No Depression Magazine

“Jono Manson and his band cook up a saucy brew of blues and rock, as shaky vocals, guttering guitar riffs, and solid drumming combine to deliver a sharpened hook.”
Billboard

“This veteran New York bar band manages to rise above the roots-rock riffraff offering an effective cure for the alternative rock blahs in the process.”
Entertainment Weekly

“The gravelly-voiced Manson attacks the high art of low-rent songcraft with a paid assassin’s precision.”
Huh Magazine

“Tough as nails rock ‘n’ roll and electricity-drenched rhythm and blues, all showcasing distinctive blue-soaked vocals.  It’s a powerful, energetic and gutsy sound based on the very roots of American popular music.”
The Coloradoan

“Manson was such a key player in transforming a bunch of dingy clubs into havens for roots music that he is often referred to as the ‘Godfather of the scene”.
Relix Magazine 

“One heck of a healthy concoction of country, blues and roots music.  Listening to the music makes it easy to see how so many rockers fell under the spell of Manson’s genius.”
The Advocate

"Jono’s back! After lying low for a few years, Manson seems to be gigging everywhere. And he has a new album, his first solo record since 2001’s Under the Stone. "Summertime" is pure white soul, featuring a funky, horny (great sax and trumpet) band. Several cuts stand out. “Jr. Walker Drove the Bus” is an upbeat tribute to the “Shotgun” man, utilizing a passage of Walker’s “What Does It Take (to Win Your Love).” “Ends of the Earth” is a soul ballad that would make Robert Cray jealous and features a cool organ solo. Manson gets almost swampy on
“Red Wine in the Afternoon,” with a tasty slide guitar and mandolin. His humor shows through on the rocking “Please Stop Playing That
Didgeridoo.” His irritation with the hippie didj player grows as the song progresses. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to break it in two,” Manson
growls. “You ain’t no aborigine/in your tie-dye T. ... Take your hacky sack ’cause them’s the only balls you’ve got.'"
Steve Terrell/Santa Fe New Mexican

“The Worms helped turn Nightingale into a hangout for local musicians and scenesters and wound up becoming local heroes, influencing countless local bands.”
The New York Times

"A couple of former co-workers used to come into my office on Monday mornings and rave about some local singer/guitarist named Jono Manson. I finally got a chance to hear him for myself and ended up with a copy of his debut album, One Horse Town. With help from some studio heavyweights (Ian Wallace on drums, the late Nicky Hopkins on piano) and an occasional guest artist (Blues Traveler's John Popper on harmonica), Manson has put together an album that has something for just about everyone: straightahead pop'n'roll ("It's the Singer, Not the Song," "A Little Rock & Roll Never Hurt Anyone"), funk ("I've Been Down"), and reggae ("Island"). My favorite out of the bunch is "Black Blue Jeans": with Jeffrey Barr's sweaty-sounding organ and Hopkins's piano work trading time with Manson's guitar, this song is one of the best blues/gospel songs I've heard in years, and easily worth the price of the CD by itself."
Stereophile Magazine

“Jono Manson is a son born of Americana with a voice and sound unattainable anywhere else.”
Rockpile Magazine

“On this night at the San Francisco house that Graham built, Jono Manson and band showed why leader Manson was considered one of the Godfathers of New York’s music scene during the 1980’s and the large and most enthusiastic crowd showed the artist their approval.”
Rock Love

“Jono Manson is a soulful guitarist and singer who here leads a loose band through some R&B-tinged rock.   Though the disc includes such guests as Nicky Hopkins, fellow Downtown NYC icon Ron Sunshine and Blues Traveler’s harmonica prodigy John Popper, the show here belongs to Manson, whose rich and smooth vocals are complimented by a limber band of equally impressive talent.”
Huh Magazine

“A voice that is profound and mature, a Gibson acoustic hung around his neck, Manson reminds one of John Hiatt in the way he uses his voice, and of the Rolling Stones in his guitar work.”
Buscadero (Italy)

"All new young bands, including Italian ones, could learn something from Jono, no airs or graces, all he wants to do is play, a guitar for a friend and tons of passion. That's more than enough to keep him going."
Backroads (Italy)

“This new collection from Jono Manson reels and rocks, serenades the soul, and cuts to the heart of the matter. Strong new compositions like "Alibi," and the title cut "Live Your Love" each take on their own life. This is tough stuff from a stellar songwriter and performer who makes every note and phrase count.”
True Blue

"If it wasn't for Jono Manson, then Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors and Joan Osborne and the New York jam-band scene may never have happened. It was Manson who showed these young whippersnappers how to turn a blase bar crowd into true believers at the now legendary hole-in-the-wall, Nightingales."
High Times Magazine

"One Horse Town is nothing short of a portable saturday night. It comes complete with smoking horns, hot players (like the late keyboard god Nicky Hopkins, drummer Ian Wallace and harpist John Popper) and no frills R&B and all thats missing is Manson working the crowd between songs. Equal parts NRBQ, Asbury Dukes and side four of Exile on Main Street"
Phoenix New Times

Click here to read a rave review of  Jono's  album "Under the Stone"
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