Jesse Malin
(One Little Indian)
In many ways, On Your Sleeve is Jesse Malin's return to his roots, although it doesn't necessarily bring him to any point of origin. Indeed, given his seminal role in New York's hardcore punk scene and subsequent career as a singer/songwriter of individual note, one would hardly expect him to go retro with classic covers. Regardless, Malin's music has always been informed by his admiration for such old school masters as Tom Waits, Neil Young and Steve Earle. So too, his aspirations have garnered him the highest seal of approval; after contributing his version of "Hungry Heart" to the Bruce Springsteen tribute disc Light of Day, the Boss returned the favor by guesting on Malin's third album, Glitter in the Gutter, last year.
Malin reprises his version of "Hungry Heart" here, including it among his takes on fourteen timeless tracks, some well known, others arguably obscure. And while Malin takes no extreme liberties - his versions vary more by nuance and emotional emphasis rather than through any true change in direction - his choice of material reflects superb taste and a concise wherewithal in regards to an earlier era. Malin's vocals suggest the off-handed anguish of Tom Petty in anthemic mode, imbuing even more familiar fare like "Walk On the Wild Side," Elton John's "Harmony" and the Stones' "Sway" with a tattered but determined perspective. Even so, it's his handling of a string of emotional, affecting ballads - Tim Hardin's bittersweet "Lady From Baltimore," the Pogues' sweeping and cinematic "Fairytale of New York," Jim Croce's aching "Operator" and an atmospheric version of Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'" - that elevates this album and makes it his most memorable.
In most cases, a covers set implies the artist has either run dry or opted for a holding pattern prior to plotting the next career move. Fortunately, On Your Sleeve is neither a fallback nor retreat. Rather, it's a statement from an artist boldly affirming his musical mantra.
Standout tracks: "Walk On the Wild Side,"
"Operator," "Hungry Heart" LEE ZIMMERMAN
