Southern California band Venice return in 2019 with their 21st release Jacaranda Street. Just like the comfortable feeling you get when you see an old friend or a favorite relative, Venice brings their signature “easy on the ears” blend of vocals and melodies to every track. To say that this band knows a bit about favorite relatives, as well as vocals and harmonies, would be an understatement. Singer Kipp Lennon and his brother Pat, on vocals and guitar, are the younger brothers of the famous Lennon Sisters who sang on The Lawrence Welk Show. They are joined by their cousins, singer Mark Lennon, and his brother Michael Lennon on vocals and guitar. Michael also produced, engineered and mixed this collection.
Jacaranda Street begins with the title track, an acoustic guitar driven tale of a son remembering his mother’s life. This is the Venice formula. Songs about family and the meanings of the things they learned about life along the way. Since this band has two lead singers, Kipp and Mark, they actually have the benefit of trading who gets the lead vocal spotlight, therefore creating a richer, fuller spectrum of material. “My Love Waits for Me,” the first single, feature Mark Lennon’s soaring vocals on the chorus, guided by Michael Lennon’s piano and guitar.
Lots of great moments on this record include the bouncy Kipp Lennon led “Stepping on the Bridge” which brings to mind the band 10cc, in its tempo and instrumentation. The dreamy waltz of “Something Took You Over” is probably my favorite track of Jacaranda Street. Mark Lennon’s sweet vocals, combined with Pat Lennon’s harmony, are layered with a melody that calms like a summer breeze. The perfect song to relax to with someone you love.
“Middle Age Lullaby” is a ballad that features the Kipp Lennon-led four-part patented Venice harmony. This song can equal any latter-day Don Henley-led Eagles song in terms of thoughtful, identifiable lyrics, as well as a tempo that just makes you stop dead in your tracks to listen. It is truly an outstanding track. “Object Unidentified,” with its quirky keyboard and rambling, layered vocals, is a song that would fit in on anyone’s fast paced lifestyle, and the perfect set up for the mellow, harmony-laced “Rowing,” which closes this record with a sound that really does make you feel like you are on a boat on a lake.
If you are new to the band Venice, or you are like me and have been a fan of theirs for quite some time, I highly recommend Jacaranda Street. It truly is representative of the talent that this band possesses. Like their large family, lots of different personalities, but all in all a terrific blend. Musically, vocally and production wise, it is a success. Just in time for spring, the Jacarandas have bloomed.
~ Junkman
