Everything's Jake With Us

A bunch of charmers from NY musician Jake Jacobs (The Magicians, Bunky & Jake, Jake & The Family Jewels). A good-timey feel, rock solid melodies, and a fundamental happiness of spirit that seems at odds with almost any other NY act, except the Spoonful.

Perhaps you can help me, readers! I remember (from my long-gone vinyl) that the cover shot was taken at Clarence's Magic Garden. I'm probably totally misremembering, because a google reveals nada. It was a crazy sculpture park built by an old guy - the sculptor equivalent of Moondog - utilizing garbage and stuff he found, and much-loved by hippies at the time who saw all that stuff in their heads anyway. Probably long-gone, but I'd like to know more.

The second album by J&TFJ has the genius title The Big Moose Calls His Baby Sweet Lorraine, and that one took me an age to hunt down, back in the days when my life was mapped by routes between used album stores. It's more of the same - lilting tunes, more hooks than a fisherman's hat, and Jake's infectiously likeable vocals.

If you dig The Spoonful, you'll go ape for these swingin' sounds!

 EDIT: After a request in the comments, I've added the two earlier albums by Bunky & Jake, the self-titled first from '68, and LAMF (nobody knew what that meant back then, least not the record company) from the following year. Jake released A Lick And A Promise in 2012, and still lives in Manhattan, the lovely guy.

At left: the first Bunky & Jake album. Love that sleeve - the playful/serious poses they strike, the paraphernalia of the hippy pad.

... and the second. Like a motherfucker, indeed! What a great couple they make. Go to jakeandthefamilyjewels dot com for more great photos!

Fun Foam Fact: Jake once helped carry a passed-out Jimi Hendrix into a car after a late-night jam at Steve Paul’s Scene.