Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons - Panther Tracks, Vol. 1 (2025)

This showcase gets off to a bright melodic start & with tantalizing music, clever lyrics & though they’re from Portland, OR, they weave a Southern rock influence from “Pink Light” with its chiming guitars, driving drums & organ flourishes. The vocals are penetrating the way Jason & the Scorchers, The Brandos, C. Gibbs Band, Big Back 40, the Del Lords & Bo Deans have been for years. This is a solid album with an edifying style, fully fueled.

The 7 Panther Tracks, Vol. 1 includes a steady beat on the late Leonard Cohen’s “You Want It Darker,” which is done quite impressively. Not as gloomy a narrative as Cohen’s original, but the compelling nature of the song comes through guitarist Jerry Joseph’s vocal & the tune’s arresting arrangement. Almost as intense as the narrative Mark Campbell unleashed on his song by The Nails (“88 Lines About 44 Women”).

It also shows how an intelligently sophisticated song can translate to a great rock song with just a tweak in the arrangement. This album was produced by The Jackmormons drummer Steve Drizos (percussion/bgv) in his Portland, OR studio.

Sliding back into original material is the funkier “Way Too Loud,” with its impeccable guitar interplay (Jerry, along with Eric Martinez — who adds backing vocals) provides a nice, tight ensemble piece. Add a few congas, bongos & timbales & it could be a hit for Santana.

Mainstream thrust arrives with “New Lincoln” & “Hearts Gone Blind” both cook with fire — have the gutsiness of Eddie & the Tide (“What Love Is All About,” “This Could Be The One”) with an insistent beat & significant unimpeachable authority. Jerry, despite a 4-decade career, still has a cool, diversified & strong voice. It helps to lift each song into its “originality sphere.” Though some songs have been live staples & favorites, these new studio recordings have presence, & lots of atmosphere.

“Electra Glide In Blue” (is both a motorcycle & a Robert Blake film) has a bit of a reggae beat infused into its bodywork. Jerry’s voice is perfectly suited to this reggae mystifying style & the Jackmormons have absorbed the spirit & present a diversified performance I wasn’t expecting. Dazzling with its percussion break, prickly guitar notes & warm organ. This is one hell of a satisfying romp. It’s like good moist cheesecake…you always want just a little more.