Press Reviews
Of the Rickie Lee Jones CD inspired by The Words
TheSermon on Exposition Boulevard finds
Jones with a new label (New West) and a new sense of conviction. Her first
album of original material since 2003's ambitious but hollow The
Evening of My Best Day, this latest release
is a testament to the power of the spirit. What began as a project to interpret
Lee Cantelon's book The Words as a spoken word
record was transformed into something more universal once Jones was brought
on board. Cantelon's original idea was simple enough — to put the
words of Jesus Christ into a modern context outside the conventions of
contemporary organized religion and lay those words over a bed of music.
It is certainly the best album of 2007 thus far.
-- Ray Ellis, SXSW
”The story of Jesus of Nazareth has been told, retold, interpreted and misinterpreted by a legion of true believers, spiritual seekers and even fanatics who deliver salvation with a sword or a gun. Rickie Lee Jones is probably thinking of such zealots on her new album when she declares, “See all those people praying on TV and in the churches/they like to make a big parade out of what they’re doing.” She prefers having a private conversation with God on her new CD, The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard (New West), which was inspired by her producer Lee Cantelon’s book The Words, which recasts the Christ legend in an artier, more personal and less dogmatic fashion.” -- Falling James, LA Weekly
”It's a deeply religious (but not dogmatic) album inspired by "The Words," a book based on Jesus' teachings, and written by Jones' longtime friend Lee Cantelon, who, along with Peter Atanasoff, co-produced the album and plays guitar in Jones' current touring band.” – Steven Mirkin, Daily Variety
“Jones' The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard, released in February, was inspired by a different spiritual journey than that informing Webb's Mockingbird, which has been generating praise, and some controversy, since last year. "I came to religion wanting to take what's beautiful about it,," says Jones, 52. "I think we are spiritual beings, but Christianity's position in the culture can be so aggressive that it makes people defend themselves coming to the table." So in 2005, when Jones' friend Lee Cantelon asked her to take part in a spoken-word recording of The Words, his book outlining Jesus' teachings — and distinguishing those teachings from what Cantelon views as the dogmatic interpretations that have evolved in organized religion — the project seemed a natural fit. Jones decided that she would rather sing than speak, though.” – Elysa Gardner, USA Today
”It all started in 2005 when Cantelon, a writer and photographer, decided to set his contemporary (and minimalist) take on the Gospels, “The Words,” to music. “Nobody Knows My Name” emerged as an improvisation during the first session for that project. Cantelon and Atanasoff had hoped Jones would simply read a passage of Cantelon’s book while they played; instead, she made up her own wild sermon, imagining Christ morphing into a bird, the rain, a stranger on the street, unnoticed by centuries’ worth of passersby.” -- Ann Powers, Los Angeles Times
”Jones, who had not played Sanders in nearly 15 years, is touring in support of her latest disc, "The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard." The idea for the album, released this month, was inspired by "The Words," a book based on Christ's teachings written by her friend, author-musician Lee Cantelon (who occasionally joined in on various percussion instruments at Sanders when he wasn't watching the proceedings from a perch at the rear of the stage).” – Jonathan Perry, Boston Globe
"Exposition Boulevard" has its roots in a 2005 recording
session for a project based on "The Words," a book of Christ's
philosophy compiled by Jones' friend Lee Cantelon. Jones improvised what
would be the first song on "Exposition Boulevard.”
-- Allison Stewart, Chicago Tribune