Jacey Falk: From a Place Within

Jacey Falk is a blues/rhythm and blues/jazz singer who demonstrates an exuberant delivery and infectious appeal on his debut recording, From a Place Within —so retro, in a way, as to be fresh and new.

Back in the very early sixties, before the Beatles and Motown Records changed the recording landscape, one would stroll into a little independent record store, search the 'Rhythm and Blues' bin, and find great but under-appreciated artists like Bobby Blue Bland and Gene McDaniels. Jacey Falk's sound would have fit right in with these artists, especially Gene McDaniels. In the early sixties McDaniels had several top forty hits—"Chip Chip," "Tower of Strength," and "A Hundred Pounds of Clay." These songs were wonderfully produced, written by the likes of Doc Pomus,with bright, polished arangements; and they had a broad top forty appeal.

Jacey Falk sounds like Gene McDaniels's son, not only vocally but also in his polished production. His influences are Charles Brown, Abbey Lincoln, Carmen McRae, Ruth Brown.

Blues, soul, funk, and gospel—Falk's deep-yet joyous spirituality asserts itself on "Dancing in the Yard," Abbey Lincoln's "The Music is Magic," and "A Circle of Love." Ruth Brown, one of Falk's idols, performs a soulful duet with the young singer: "I've Been There," a song about learning from life's ups and downs.

Uplifting sounds, great horn charts, get up out of the chair and dance stuff, especially "Dancing in the Yard." A palpable and infectious energy from Mr. Falk. You can tell just by listening that you'd come out of a live show smiling, the same way you come away from listening to From a Place Within.