Brenda Nelson-Strauss of Black Grooves wrote ” Featuring a mix of classic and contemporary songs, Just a Mortal Man has broad appeal, effortlessly crossing genres but with a definite Nashville sound. The album is a fine showcase for Lawson’s vocal abilities, which after 40 years are still above and beyond the range of most mortal men” Full Review Here
“Mortal Man, Just A Gorgeous Record”
Sam Gazdziak of Country Universe wrote ” The album is a soul record, though there are more than enough elements to make it fit comfortably in the country music world, or at least within the endearingly fuzzy borders of Americana. Just a Mortal Man is one of the year’s best releases. On a quieter song like Paul Simon’s “Peace Like a River” Lawson’s voice dips down to a murmur, adding vocal nuances to the lyrics the way a master painter works a canvas.
full review here
Just a Mortal Man in Deep Roots Magazine
“Just a Mortal Man is a master class in basic human emotions in all their complexity and inscrutability. With The Persuasions, Jerry Lawson made many great recordings, but Just a Mortal Man is his finest hour… a great stylist with an infallible instinct for the essence of every song he sings.” – David McGee, Deep Roots Magazine.
Jerry in Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
“This collection of tunes serves notice that Jerry Lawson deserves mention in any conversation about great singers in American history.”
Dave Stallard did a Q&A with Jerry this month – read the full thing here.
Nashville CD Release Show, 6/5/15
The Tennessean published photos from Jerry’s CD Release show at Nashville’s Station Inn on June 5th 2015. Click here to view the gallery.
Praise for Lawson’s ‘Just a Mortal Man’
The reviews are rolling in – here are a few of our favorites. Click to visit the publication/read more!
“One of the best albums of 2015.” – Rich Kienzle, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Music Podcast
“Lawson calls Sam Cooke, Brook Benton, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and David Ruffin his heroes, but one listen to this album and you’ll hear why Lawson stands shoulder-to-shoulder with them, often transcending musically the achievements of his heroes.” – Henry Carrigan, No Depression
“Jerry Lawson is one of the most under-appreciated singers in soul music today…” – The Funk & Soul Revue
“Just a Mortal Man is a joyous surprise.” – Americana Music News
“Just a Mortal Man was worth waiting for.” – Green Man Review
“A master at work…Lawson’s voice still rings with power and conviction. A first-rate effort.” – Hermon Joyner, The Mandolin Player
“Lawson is effortlessly captivating.” – Robert Oermann, Music Row DISClaimer
“Just plain excellent.” – Peter Bates, Audiophile Audition
“Just a Mortal Man serves as a reminder of the power of [Lawson’s] vocal artistry.” – Icon Magazine
“Soulful and entertaining.” – St. Croix Source
“All the music in the world can’t outshine Lawson’s richly soulful voice…Lawson’s dream album is a hit.” – Newberry Magazine
“It’s loaded with heart and soul, making a sum total of killer adult pop.” – Midwest Record
Video Premiere: “Never Been to Memphis”
A note from Jerry about the song: “It’s rockin’! ‘Never Been to Memphis’ is my first country song with a band. I really get a kick out of it. I love the energy of it. I love the story it tells and I can’t wait to perform it live and see the audience reaction. Alan Brace really put his heart into writing it and I hope my delivery gives it the feeling Alan intended.”
Jerry Lawson featured in the WSJ
“Affecting throughout, it demands playing.” – The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal named Just a Mortal Man one of the ‘Six Retro Roots Albums to Jump-Start Your Summer.’ Click here to read the article.
Jerry featured on NPR’s Weekend Edition
Jerry and producer Eric Brace talk with Joel Rose about Just a Mortal Man.
Full audio and story here: npr.org/2015/05/03/403290204/soul-singer-jerry-lawsons-just-a-mortal-man-almost-came-true
Jerry Lawson’s Solo Debut Out Today
Folks, April 28 is finally here, which means that Just a Mortal Man is finally out!
This is Jerry Lawson’s masterpiece, the album of a lifetime that he has been crafting over the past two years with Grammy-nominated producer Eric Brace. And now it’s here.
As you all know, Jerry spent more then 40 years as lead singer of The Persuasions, arranging and producing 22 albums of incomparable a cappella music that has inspired everyone from Boyz II Men to the cast of “The Sing Off.”
The one thing Jerry has never done is record as a solo artist with a band. Just a Mortal Man is that record.
Here’s an excellent Q&A with Jerry (and a splendid review) by Henry Carrigan on the No Depression site: http://nodepression.com/article/jerry-lawson-brings-it-home
Here’s some of what Henry wrote: “Although 2015 is still young, Jerry Lawson’s new album Just a Mortal Man already wins the award for top soul album of the year. Lawson possesses a genius for understanding the heart of a song’s lyrics and singing them straight to the hearts and souls of his listeners.”
With elegance, heart, and soul, Jerry makes the thirteen songs on Just a Mortal Man his own, songs from a diverse group of writers including Paul Simon, Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, Ayo, Phil Lee, Peter Cooper, and producer Eric Brace. And he pays tribute to two of his heroes, recording tunes originally done by The Temptations’ David Ruffin and Bobby “Blue” Bland.
While guest musicians like Jim Lauderdale and The McCrary Sisters also make appearances on Just a Mortal Man, the album is about Jerry, singing with a sweet and smoky voice that’s only grown richer throughout his 71 years.”
If you’d like to watch a short film on the making of Just a Mortal Man, you can click here.