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CD Review by Jack Nichols
A teen-aged Jae Cie (Jeanie Cunningham) saw Tina Turner in concert
while attending a boarding school in Switzerland. “It was like a burning
bush from God,” she later explained, “I knew I had to meet her.”
And meet Tina Turner she did. Briefly, after her return to the States, Jae Cie became a member of Tina's inner circle and the two toured together. Today, she credits the rise of her own musical career to the legendary Ms. Turner's influences. Funny, but before I knew about these influences and had only listened over last weekend to Jae Cie's latest album, Thief in the Night, I'd thought first of Alicia Bridges—who'd launched a gripping intensity on her album when she sang the unforgettable I Love the Nightlife. But then, a more recent somewhat similar voice came to mind, that of Taylor Dayne's. Ms. Dayne's voice, may be deeper, perhaps, than Jae Cie's.
Jae Cie calls herself a “gay spiritualist” and thus her music is aimed, it seems, at cultivating a spirited life-feeling in her listeners. I allowed Thief in the Night to play repetitively over a two day stretch, giving it time to sink in, working its own kind of magic. It was not only a good background, I decided, but a heightened experience in which several of its songs fast became memorable ones, appreciated not only for their instrumental quality, but for their world-views encompassing the one, the duo and the many. The title song, Thief in the Night, is, I'd say, about death. The biblical reference, as I recall, is about the Second Coming. Jae Cie sees us as fleeing and hiding from this nighttime Thief one day at a time. Even so, there's no hopelessness in her tone. Her song becomes nearly an anthem—and it is certainly, I'd wager, a paean to living. But the song that caught my attention most—simply because I'm a hopeless fool for Soul music, especially if its well-done—is #4 on the National Gay and Lesbian Charts, namely “Reason for Livin' ”. Just as I fancy myself a rationalist/mystic so too do I like to fancy myself a rational/romantic. 'Reason for Livin' ”, frankly, appeals to these contrary facets in me. The singular line that scrapes uncomfortably at my rationalist's side, however, says: “and my only reason for living is/loving you.” That puts a hell of a burden on the loved one, says one part of me. “But so what,” protests another, “there are lots of pop love songs with that particular line in them. And haven't you felt that way once?”
To laud this song for its possible excellent effects on folks, I decided, would necessitate pointing at how it otherwise wisely defines the experience of loving someone. Therefore, I like every facet of this vibrant, wonderful song. I'd say that Jae Cie, who wrote it in its entirety, appears to have loved and been loved deeply and appreciatively. But what's even better, aside from this being a song to be loved by lovers, is its stellar Soul quality. Yup, its exactly the kind of music that tempts one to the dance floor to be aware of oneself going silly wiggling in those floor- to-ceiling mirrors. I say “Reason for Livin' ” is 2000's Best Pop Lesbian and Gay Love Song So Far. Why? Because it has genuine caring in it—an ingredient in relationships that automatically places the best foot forward. It's suave, this music's brand of caring. And timely too. It works glamorously, fashionably, tribally. And, I'll add, “Reason for Livin' ” may be Black Soul sung by a Caucasian but its also the kind of pop music, black or white, that's been best-loved by gay and lesbian crowds through the past decades. When Jae Cie preaches—as she does in “Nature's Cry,” a song about the environment—you can be sure that the dance beat is rapturous and that the lyrics don't grate. All in all, if you are likely to like a heady mix of Rhythm, Soul, Blues and Rock, this album may be a #10. |
Hmmm, I admit, I am glad to say that the rest of the “reason” references in this song seem fully rational. The lyrics' questioning, for example, “IF there's a reason for living” imply that the whole question has been left, at least, an open one.
© 1997-2000 BEI