Glasgow punk legend Jonzip has recently been making a name for himself as a talk show host. His genial demeanour and general display of welcoming bonhomie making him perfect for the role, talking recently to IDLES frontman Joe Talbot and Southside musical empresario Alan McGee.
Fans of Jonzip the musician needn’t fear though, following on the heels of last year’s The Zips release Huh? comes a magnificent Jonzip solo release in the shape of Blueprint.
The ten tracks on offer are culled from a variety of sources from his illustrious career, different versions of songs, some appearing before in one format or another, others appearing on CD for the first time.
From the opening bars of Kill Your Darlings, highlights abound. The acoustic version of The Zips classic and anthem of my life (alongside the Younger Younger 28s Ginger Determination) 19 Forevva, previously released via Tarbeach Records through to the ode to (almost) meeting legendary Clash frontman in Road to Strummerville.
Ballad of DeLiberate, the heartfelt tribute to “Vive le Rock’s future poster boy” Heavy Drapes and Baby’s Got a Gun frontman Garry Borland is another belter. I’m certain I won’t be the only one who is left with a lump in the throat and a tear in the eye on listening to this track. Despite losing many of the musicians and frontmen that I grew up listening to and helped shape many memories, the death of Garry hit hardest.
Energy Packed
Wrong Door Raid with its blues laden Not Fade Away feel is an energy packed acoustic toe tapper while The Ballad of George Square is a classy tribute to the events of 31st January 1919, Red Clydesiders, the historic strike and subsequent deployment of tanks to break it up. It brings back memories for me of standing listening to him perform it on a freezing cold, wet George Square on the centenary of the events. As the song suggests though, you probably didn’t learn about it in school.
Elsewhere we’re treated to the uplifting Spanish guitar rhythm and warm layered vocal of Cuba Libre, the lament of Drink to Forget – you drink to forget ‘til you can’t your name, but the morning after, the memory remains.
You Know Me adds a dramatic atmospheric piano break to the mix as Jonzip’s vocal rises to a passionate crescendo on the penultimate track before the album closes with a rabble-rousing acoustic version of the Clash influenced song of self-assertion and call to arms, Left of Your Rights.
Get in touch with Jon for a copy of the album or stream it now on Spotify.
Wow, thanks, Neil. That’s a belter of a review! Really do appreciate your support, but also that you genuinely seem to like it! Catch up soon, Jon