AWAKE

Jackal's one and only album was recorded early in 1973 and released later in the middle of the year without any singles. A heavy organ and guitar band, Jackal might first be compared to Deep Purple, but very little of their music actually resembles the mighty Purple. That credit could go more toward Jackal's fellow Torontonians War Pig, whose song Rock Star seems to have inspired a Deep Purple tune or two. No, Jackal are closer to bands like Warhorse and Bodkin, with less emphasis on the heavy electric guitar and more on the organ and vocals.

Yes, the highlights of the album must be Charlie Shannon's powerful vocals and Chris Kellesis' organ play. Though I wouldn't call it unique music, it is certainly music well played, especially in some parts when the band are in full throttle and the energy really gets flowing. There are of course slower, mellower parts which are neccessary to off set the more thunderous moments. Some songs like "At the Station" and "Lost in this World" are conceived and written for the harder and heavier side of the band while longer tracks like "A New Day Has Arisen" and "Awake" give the band more room to stretch out and add more contrast within a single track. I find that parts of these longer songs, however, add some repetitiveness as if done intentionally to add time rather than effect. Nevertheless, the album still is a good bit of organ rock with a progressive edge as well as a heavy one.

If I have any one thing that nags me a bit, it's the sound quality of the recording. Obviously not a big name band getting the full luxery studio treatment, the sound is a bit sub par. Not scratchy or lo-fi. Just not as sharp or as bright. It's a bit like looking at beautiful scenery through a window that could use a wipe to get the dust off.

Reissued on CD not long ago, it was easy to get through Amazon.ca. You can find most if not all of the music on YouTube in case you are interested in checking out Jackal more. Certainly some good material here for fans of heavy organ / heavy guitar rock bands of the early seventies.