Simply sophisticated Southern Rock. If that sounds like I made it up, its because I just did. Sometimes, guys like me spend a lot of time describing something that doesn't need to be described. "One Diamond," the great CD by the L.A. based Southern Rock band, Judge Jackson, is a perfect example. I could write a thousand words about this album, when all you really need is to listen to it once.

There is nothing specious about this band's material. The lyrics are deep, emotional and introspective. They deal with all of Life's problems, everything from lost love to suicidal tendencies. I guess you could say that this is a thinking man's Southern Rock band. The music is origanal, stirring both in its energy and its emotional impact. It is expertly performed with a solid rhythm section, including Ryan Rogers on bass and backing vocals and Chris Pendleton, who provides the quintessential drums for a great Southern Rock band that knows how to stretch out. And stretch out, they do, courtesy of Lee Jackson and Tyler Nelson on guitars. Todd McTavish (now, there's a fine Southern boy's name!) completes the lineup with a voice that can rock it up on numbers like "King" and convey the feeling of the softer, more poignant songs like "Amazing."

This is really a fantastic CD, filled with moods and content that are so varied, there's something here for just about everyone. I highly recommend this recording for anyone's collection. I can't wait to hear more from this fine band. You can find out more about Judge Jackson at (where else?) http://www.judgejacksonband.com.


Review by Ray Synkane