Don's Reviews of John Dawson Read Albums



"A Friend of Mine is Going Blind" album by John Dawson Read
(released in 1975, reviewed in 2007)

I have listened to many albums by many different musicians (including all of Elton John's albums). The "Friend of Mine is Going Blind" album by John Dawson Read is my TOP favorite album of all time! I am not going to be able to give you a full reason why it is so good. You just have to listen to it and enjoy it more than understand it. In a nutshell, the music and lyrics are amazing. The album has truly taught me to be more observant and more of a thinker.

This album would have easily been rated a classic album of the 70's had the mainstream public discovered it. I am thankful that I was able to discover it from an "album cuts" radio station (WDVE Pittsburgh) in the 70's. That was the ONLY place I heard JDR music on the radio. From there, I bought the album (and the "Read On" album) from a mail-order company that listed records (way before the Internet!). I will comment some on the songs.

1 A Friend of Mine is Going Blind  This teaches me to savor and remember experiences in case they go away and how we can live with our inadequacies by making the most of them (make lemon-aid from lemons). It has some of the most intriguing guitar that I've ever heard. I sometimes see the song as about JDR for he has gone blind in the public's eyes (basically undiscovered). And, JDR sees, sings, and plays guitar so much better than me! It makes me sing "won't you sing Johnny Dawson Read"!

2 Tommy's Song (part 1)  This song could be about JDR too! This song reminds me that a theme for the album is to "observe & feel" and throw "blindness & disguise" out of consciousness. Parts 1 and 2 of Tommy's Song are the beginning and ending threads holding the album theme together.

3 Superficial Things  I love the "Ba Da Da" and trumpet in this song that has you humming along! This song opened up my eyes that we are all wearing masks by habit, without realizing it. This song wakes up our minds about that. Billy Joel tried to reveal this message in his Stranger album. Tommy's Song (Part 2) repeats the message of "superficial things": "I believe that I have seen a way through my disguise". Ironically, versions of "Tommy's Song" are the second and last songs on the album while versions of the "Stranger" song are the second and last songs on Billy Joel's "Stranger" album. However, JDR's album was released two years before the "Stranger" Album.

4 Rain  The instruments in this song add to the drama and beauty of a rain event! Once again, JDR observes something that many don't think much about. We're taught to run from rain rather than enjoy its beauty. We can apply that to many things we run from. But, this album teaches us to look past our habits.

5 Sallyally Sunday  There are so many interesting words here. The lyrics pick up things we don't always notice or think about, like blue around boiled eggs, sounds of seagulls, tupperware, and "our little street".

6 All the Time in the World  This reminds me that we can only observe if we can slow down at times. I like the line that a "river runs a winding course but never very fast". There is also a message that we need to give troubles a little time to get through them.

7 My Time  This conveniently continues from the last song on time. Everyone needs a time of rest and reflection after a busy day. I like the lines of "it highlights the twilights of my life" and "let God and man unwind".

8 Brief Relationship  This song should be about JDR for HE "sang the sweetest songs I've never heard before"! The other lines that highlight the song for me are "you got to me with every word you said" and "I feel I am the wiser all the same".

9 Good Living  This song reminds me to keep positive thoughts and dreams. Good living is attitude more than circumstances. It is summed up in the line of "you're as rich as you feel". There are also nice messages about valuing the people in your life and doing the best you can ("no-one does better than that"). I've remembered these wonderful positive thoughts throughout my life! This song can do wonders for people's mental health including the line of "don't let your troubles get you cause they'll get you if they can".

10 It' s Been a Long Long Day  This follows up to the My Time song for rest and reflection. We can dream, think, and explore at times. It is NOT a waste of time. I love the line of "getting high on what we find". The "too much on my mind" line reminds me that it is sad that some people will allow for too many projects. Less projects can actually mean more for your life. This is not promoting laziness but just a happy medium.

11 An Hour's So Long When You're Dying  This is an interesting song about how an hour of work is always longer than an hour of playing. With the right thoughts, work can turn in to play. If you focus on the tough parts, time goes slow (dying). When you think about the good parts (like music), the time goes fast (flying). It seems that JDR learned about this to enjoy performing in concert! I have flown in many dreams while sleeping. I look forward to more flying!

12 Tommy's Song (part 2)  This song closes the album nicely with another Tommy's Song bookend! It reminds us of the theme of the album to "observe & feel" and throw "blindness & disguise" out of consciousness.

There is a little "observation & disguise" in each song. In the "Friend of Mine" song, there is observing nature before it is disguised with blindness. For the "Superficial" song, there is the observation of what is real behind the disguise of customs and habits. For the "Rain" song, there is the observing of the "kiss" of amazing rain, hidden by the disguise of running from it. For the "Sallyally" song, there is the observation of a getaway and seeing even the smallest details by not letting them be disguised by the bigger events. The "All The Time" song has observation by allowing time for observation while the disguise is walking away from time by thinking you don't have time for time! The "My Time" song has the observation for the need for personal time to rest and reflect which can be disguised by thinking that it is a waste of time. The "Brief Relationship" song has the observation of others' talents which can be disguised if we are focused on ourselves. The "Good Living" song has the observation of positive attitude which can be disguised by dwelling too much on the negative. The "Long Day" song has the observation of discovery which can be disguised with too many other projects. "An Hour's So Long" has the observation that time has different measures which can be disguised in length by what rules our thoughts.

I'll pick some favorites on the album although all the songs are good. My favorite is "A Friend Of Mine Is Going Blind", a wonderful sing-along song with amazing words. Next, I like "Superficial Things" for about the same reason, a great sing-along song with words that really make you think! "Good Living", "My Time", and "Rain" are the next favorites. They are just wonderful songs and so is the whole album! Thanks for recording it JDR! It is amazingly inspiring in melody and words. May many more people discover the album!




"Read On" album by John Dawson Read
(released in 1976, reviewed in 2007)

The Read On album follows nicely in the footsteps of the "Friend of Mine Is Going Blind" album! It continues with observations and discovery that many of us are too busy to notice at times. Had the public recognized JDR music in the 70's, I believe the "Read On" album would be a highly rated album from that decade. I would truly be less observant, and less of a thinker, if I hadn't heard this album. I am thankful that I was able to discover it from an "album cuts" radio station (WDVE Pittsburgh) in the 70's. I will comment on the songs.

1 One Road for Angels  This song reminds me that a rough road still has the benefits of experience and learning. The unknown, like JDR, can be talented but just unnoticed. There really is NOT an "easy way". Anything worthwhile takes time.

2 If All Things Must Change  I must admit that when I first heard the line about "blood runs cold in your veins", it was freaky. But I've gotten older and realize more that all our blood will stop and get cold someday (how "grim"). But, I have since asked Jesus to be my Savior and look forward to the next life (when I'll actually be flying!). This is a beautiful song and I will probably have it played at my funeral (as well as "Such is the Mystery"). A great line in the song is "that some things never change"! Love does not die!

3 Til Tomorrow  The choir at the beginning echoes a vast space to me (like outer space). I like the message that we can enjoy the amazement of something without worrying about how to explain it! That great message is also nicely shown in the "Such is the Mystery" song later in the album. The words that stand out to me are "oh, what a show, so why should we know" and "it seems only right for dreams, maybe it's better that we do".

4 Me and You  This is another thoughtful song that seems to say to face the truth, be patient, and see love.

5 Old Cold Shoulder  This is a comical song! It shows the danger of alcohol but it could relate to any struggles a relationship will have at times.

6 Take Him Down  My eyes were wide the first time I heard this song for it told me that John CAN "sing us all a rock song"! You can dance easily to this song! There are nice bits of piano, drums, and brass in this song. The song reminds me of Hollywood theories that look for certain ages and appearance while overlooking talent.

7 Some People are Crazy  This has contagious guitar at the beginning which I usually whistle to, before realizing it. This song seems to describe the differences of a persistent giver and selfish taker. But, they are neither totally that way, and they aren't totally crazy either!

8 Such is the Mystery  I've heard a lot of songs and this is quite frankly the best song I have EVER heard by any musician! Whenever I see a beautiful Summer day, this song comes to mind. I quickly memorized the words in the 70's and have sung the whole song many times whenever I've seen or thought about beautiful days. Cliff Richard's cover version has a nice instrumental at the end but the JDR version is best and classic! The message for me is to be the best you can be, instead of looking for all the answers, and let some answers eventually fly to you! There are all sorts of mysteries, including the mystery of why more people didn't find out about JDR in the 70's.

9 Days of Sweet Remembrance  This is good timing to follow a Summer song with an Autumn song. I first heard the "Read On" album in the Autumn so it is easy to relate to this song as well as "Autumn woods" in the "Thinking" song. It reminds me of how times with people can change just like the seasons change. The wind chimes remind me of the Autumn wind setting in and the emptiness of Summer going away. I wonder if the girl in the "you really got to me somehow" line is the same girl in the "Some People are Crazy" song.

10 Thinking  That is very appropriate to have a song called "Thinking" since JDR is a thinker who allows his listeners to think more about thinking! There is more great music and words here! Thoughts can take you places safely. Where would we be without thought and creativity? I don't think I want to think about that! As was revealed in the "Miracle on 34th Street" movie, thoughts can take you to a whole new nation, called the "imagination"!

11 He Told Me  This is an interesting "Dear John" letter type of song. There have been other songs with this theme like "Can't You See" and "Best We Leave It Over". JDR is a good candidate for eloquently leaving bad news! In this song, you almost wonder if the bearer of bad news might be trying to steal the girl!

12 Days of Sweet Remembrance Reprise  The reprise is appropriate here for as Summer ends, the album ends also. The last thought on the album is that remembrance has only just begun. Who would have known that the next recording would be a nearly 30 year wait! There is something interesting at the end of this song when you play the phonograph version of the album. The wind chimes continue until the very end! There is about a half inch area just before the label. It allows the needle to revolve around the record about a turn and a half (enough for the phonograph to recognize it and return the needle arm back to the beginning). The wind chimes continue to play in that area! I didn't even know that was a recordable area! I don't know if that area has been recorded on any other albums.

What an enjoyable album! It has taught me to be more observant! Thank you for sharing your music JDR! My favorite on the album, of course, is "Such is the Mystery". Other favorites are "Thinking", "If All Things Must Change", "Til Tomorrow" "Days of Sweet Remembrance", and "Take Him Down". It is too bad that more people did not find this album.

As a "play on words" final statement, I am "thinking" that "such is the mystery" for "he told me" that "some people are crazy". They show the "old cold shoulder" to unknown music and "take him down", "til tomorrow" when "things must change" where "me and you" will find "one road for angels" where MANY will discover the album for the first time so that we'll have NEW "days of sweet remembrance"!




"Now... Where were we?" album by John Dawson Read
(released in 2005, reviewed in 2006)

I have listened to the latest “Now… Where were we?” album and love it! It continues smoothly from the two prior albums. Just like before, the words stand on their own. The music stands on its own. Then with the words and music together, it is even greater! In fact, I know of no other music, than JDR music, where the words speak so much to me. They capture ideas, thoughts, and visions that I too busily miss or take for granted otherwise.

1 Days of Sweet Remembrance Reprise  It is appropriate to start track 1 with the “Days” reprise from the last album, 29 years ago. It has felt like a “Summer over” since the long wait for a third album.

2 A Note from Inside  I love how the wind chimes continue from track 1 to track 2 with the Winter wind! The “roll on the day” line strongly invites you to sing along!

3 Ship to Shore  Track 3 has a very attractive guitar, sounds just a little like a Seals & Croft song, has a great melody, and nice humming. The “shore” in the song reminds me of a dependable person waiting out of sight.

4 The Sun's on Saucalito  Track 4 has a nice stereo affect with different guitar sounds in each speaker. It reminds me of how much nature does inspire songs! This song sounds like something John Denver might have written.

5 Sunday, My Child and Me  Continuing with nature in track 5, it feels like you’re in the country, just listening in the open air. The "La La" echoes make for a nice exit at the end of the song.

6 Green Glass Boat  It is great timing to follow with track 6 since it is another escape song. I translate "Green/Glass/Boat" to "Nature/See/Float", which matches a thought in various JDR songs.

7 Once Upon a Time  It is nice to hear some piano in track 7. It reminds me a little of an early Bee Gees song, kind of like “In the Morning”. I am more thankful for my parents after hearing this song!

8 I am With You Mary  What a nice touch with the sax in track 8! This song seems like a nice tribute to strong ladies! I married a farm lady who has since learned how to fence.

9 Really Some Party on Sunday  Track 9 reminds me of almost an “Old Cold Shoulder 2”! It is a fun song that could be about different things but mainly about over-doing something, that demands rest later.

10 Can't You See  I like the guitar on track 10 and it reminds me of guitar straight out of the “Read On” album. The words are probably the gentlest and kindest “Dear John letter” I’ve ever heard!

11 This is My Life  It is so fitting to finish track 11 with JDR's son singing. I can hear traces of JDR’s voice in Chris’ voice and the guitar sounds great. The torch has been passed nicely. To borrow words from the “Once Upon a Time” song, JDR has “paved the way for those who live after him, thank God that someone cared”!

I like all the songs. It is tough to pick a favorite. If I have to pick, I’ll pick “Ship to Shore” as my favorite, followed closely by “I am With You Mary”, with a bullet, climbing fast! Like in the past albums, there are so many phrases in the lyrics that jump out and touch you! Thanks go out to you, JDR, for sharing your music before and now!




"Rough Cuts" album by John Dawson Read
(released in 2006, reviewed in 2006)

What a year that 2006 has been! After loving the "A Friend of Mine is Going Blind" and "Read On" albums since the 70's, I always hoped that more JDR music would surface. After an amazing long wait, I've heard the new "Now... Where were we?" album in January and the new "Rough Cuts" album in December of this year. Pinch me! Is it real? Not only is it real but it is real good! I would have settled for decent new music but this continues with the great words, guitar, and music like before!

The "Rough Cuts" album does not have a lot of instruments but it doesn't need all that extra. True music stands up on bare parts. It allows the words and guitar to stand out more so that it is not masked as much. It reminds me of when Elton John performs solo concerts with just his piano. Less is more! The guitar is very good in "Rough Cuts". Some of the music sounds like it has nice pieces of banjo in it, though that just may be the way the guitar is played. I'll comment some on each song:

1 Hey Baby Don't You Cry  This has beautiful guitar and sounds like it could be one of Bob Dylan's best songs. But it was written by JDR! It gives a message that security and money should not be a priority ahead of reality.

2 Just the Way I Am  Continuing with the subject of reality, this song has a message of taking the good with the bad and that you can't always make major changes in adults. Now I know that the words from the JDR web site come from this song! The words are "Got my guitar out, singing my heart out".

3 Girl in a Million  This is a beautiful love song. Nothing spells love more than forgiving and believing in someone. The girl in this song truly loves her man. The words remind me of the words in the "She Believes in Me" song performed by Kenny Rogers.

4 Suzanne  It is nice to hear piano, for a change, in a JDR song. Suzanne should stay after hearing this song.

5 Best We Leave It Over  If Suzanne leaves, this could be the song she could sing. This is another good "Dear John" letter by JDR following from the footsteps from his "Can't You See" song on the previous album.

6 When I'm With You  This song has very thoughtful and insightful lyrics. Parts of the music sound like the music in the "Days of Sweet Remembrance" song. The song seems to boil down to you're at your best peace when with the ones you love.

7 Take Him Down  It is great to hear a different version of this song! It almost sounds like it could be the first time it is played before it is put on an album. It also has some extra lyrics not on the "Read On" album. It is: "slow down, turn around, start it all again, take a quick tip, let me tell you like a friend, that if you stop this messin', you'll get a better job at the bank". It reminds us that to be a musician, besides talent, you need to have bravery (which some may call craziness).

8 As Far as the Horizon  This is another great song about nature and love. I like the line of "where the water meets the sky".

9 James (The Confession)  A lot of thought is put in this song. It gives me a message that society will tend to glorify the redeemed villain and forget about the victim, and the victim's friends. The guitar plays perfectly as a horrific reminder for villains to think twice on who they harm and how much damage it makes. It also reminds villains that victims can see through their mask.

10 Moneymaker  This song reminds me of people that we've all seen that watch their money more than they watch people. The line that sums it up in the song is "too much money and too few friends".

11 Downstairs (The Wedding)  These are classic words about what many people have gone through but you don't see it talked about, until this song! This is the anxious moments of the "drama before the drama" of walking down the wedding aisle. It draws the sharp line between childhood and adulthood. I like the line of "you're beautiful in every way".

12 Someday  This song switches to the walls of a home with a pondering of what the future holds for the home and for whom.

13 Come the Snow  The snow in our lives is going to come but we don't have to think about it all the time. This song is structured a little like "Such is the Mystery" and I like how certain notes are held in the song.

14 Green Glass Boat  This is a fine alternate version of this song that is also on the previous album. This song could mean almost anything about escapism and discovery. As I listened to this version of the song, it reminded me of how long JDR music has escaped us and how new JDR music has been discovered recently. It's like it was on a long trip at sea in a bottle!

15 Take Him Away from Me  This song sounds a little like another Dylan song. It gives me a message of an out of sight and out of mind topic.

16 Thin Lizzy  This is a nice blues and "blue grass" track! It gives the message that gambling needs a limit. This is a live track from an RTE TV show called "Me and My Music". Hopefully, that television show will become available someday so that we can all see a video of JDR singing!

It is nice to see some up-tempo songs like tracks 1, 7, 15, and 16. Although I'm partial to the ballads, the up-tempo songs have been good too. It reminds me of a basketball coach that sees a player gun a 3 pointer. The coach says "no, no, ... yes" when the ball goes through the hoop. I found myself thinking that when hearing the up-tempo songs, "no, no, ... yes", sounds good!

I'll attempt to pick some favorites on the album. Favorites can change. When I look at my review from last January on the "Now ... Where were we?" album, my favorites were "Ship to Shore" and "I am With You Mary". Though those are fine songs, my favorites are now "The Sun's on Saucalito" and "Green Glass Boat". With that said, my favorite on the "Rough Cuts" album is "Green Glass Boat". Next I like "Girl in a Million". Third favorite is a tie among tracks 1, 2, 6, 8, and 13. Thank you JDR for your music! It is very enjoyable music even though many still don't know about it. Also, thank you for sharing the NEW music! It was too good to not let go of! It makes me, and others, so glad that we're still around to hear it and pass it on to future generations.




"One Life" album by John Dawson Read
(released in December 2011, reviewed in December 2011)

The “One Life” album continues the fine tradition of John Dawson Read music with thoughtful words, interesting guitar sequences, and nice melodies. The theme of the album speaks to me about appreciating what you see, dwelling on being yourself more than impressing, and looking towards the future with a positive attitude. John describes the theme, in the CD jacket, about “optimism, faith, and appreciation of the everyday”.

1 A Book and a Beer   The beginning chords sound a little like Jim Croce’s “Time In A Bottle” song. It has a nice message that mellowing and slowing down with age is OK, and it is fine to look back too. There is nothing like looking at scenery of the past (his stream and fields) to remember the past and think about the future. I like the line of “time out to take it all in”. It reminds us that the past is for getting “comfortable in your skin” and then the “good bit begins” for the future! So, it is not over, just different.

2 A Fine Line   The beginning chords remind me a little of the “Sun’s On Saucalito” song. More than ever, we live a fast pace with a fine line where we can choose going forward with “Heaven on the right” (glass is half full). The “alone on the phone” also seems to speak to missed opportunities about people meeting, or anything new. It can be a fine line between definite or almost.

3 After All This Time   Like the “Fine Line” song, this song also seems to talk about missed opportunities. Like the “One Life” song, it reminds us that life is not always fair. There are some people that we never get over or stop thinking about. The words of this song remind me of Barbara Mandrell’s “Years” song. I like the line of “life will not paper over cracks”. I found myself unconsciously whistling during the catchy instrumental at the end of the song. You can feel the emotion of the song in John’s voice, especially on the line of “life can be hard”.

4 My Heart Belongs to You   It is fortunate that “something” was tugging at John’s shirt sleeve since this is a wonderful love song! It is so often true that men, for whatever reason, delay telling their feelings and don’t tell them often enough.

5 Cold Comfort   Paranoia, depression, and disaster can happen though we can hang on and wait for better things. There is a “cold comfort” (faith) knowing things can get better and the pain will subside. I like the description of a sunset where you can “paint a hundred pictures as the sun descends”. There is a nice beat with this song where I found myself drumming to it.

6 One Life   From the very first listen, this song just reaches out and grabs me! There is so much emotion, beautiful words, and wonderful melody, all brilliantly crafted with John and Guy’s hands. I love humming to the instrumental parts. We live one life on earth and life is not always fair. Though you hold on to what you’re given, count your blessings (double points for loved ones), and do your best with faith (last line of “you did it right”). I like the line of “it’s not the winning, it’s how you play”. I especially like the line of “giving without thinking” which is basically unconditional love, which allows God to save us, just for the asking. I can see John thinking about his children while writing this song. I can see our Heavenly father telling us similar words to this song. As the song says, “some lives are just amazing”. Some songs are just amazing, like this song!

7 Seven Silver Buttons   There is a bonding in groups and a special bonding when the group is working with important information or life threatening conditions. It helps to have symbols (silver buttons) to honor the others that moved on.

8 So Much More   The beginning chords sound a little like the “Best We Leave It Over” song. Grandma Moses needed to hear this song in case she thought she was too old to start painting. We all need to avoid the “too old” label. It is not over, there is always “so much more”, and “don’t let go”. The youth wants to be heard but later it is about quietly doing right and appreciating more, where being recognized is not the main issue. It’s about being true to yourself and others. This could be a good song to help people avoid suicide.

9 England   The music of this song reminds me a little of the "Moneymaker" song. Anyone’s homeland can have problems. You can leave but the homeland is still sweet when you visit it again, in person or in memory. England is also special because the popular language of English comes from there.

10 Footprints in the Snow   We can dream of new and unique adventures. The grass can seem greener there though honesty is a key. The words here remind me of the Prodigal Son story in history.

11 Look For Me   A person’s spirit never leaves you so you’re really never alone. This song is helpful to those living long distances apart and for missing those who have gone to the next life. This song has a nice melody and instrumental interludes. I like the analogies of where the spirit will be like “the song inside you”, “the wave dancing on the sea”, and “wind waving from the tree”.

12 A Second Time   It sounds like interesting dueling guitars in this song. The line of “never burn your fingers if you never light a fire” reminds me that we need to get back on the horse at times, at least in our minds. You just have to take chances at times. The line of “I’m on a wheel and I go where it goes” reminds me of listening to the inner voice.

13 Four in the Morning   This song reminds me a little of the “As Far As The Horizon” song. Anything unfamiliar can feel like 4:00 in the morning, cold, dark, still, feeling like forever until daylight. It does not feel real with a long wait for reality. Cyberspace is not quite real. Home is warm and real!

My favorite song on the album is the title song of “One Life”. What a special song! Honorable Mention songs to me are “My Heart Belongs To You”, “Look For Me”, “After All This Time”, and “England”. All the songs are enjoyable! Thanks go out to John for creating the songs!




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