Jack Logan - Monkey Paw (2002)

Monkey Paw is the seventh album by Georgia songwriter Jack Logan. This release proves yet again that, like the monkey paw referenced in the title, Logan seems to be charmed, compulsively recording songs at a Prince-like pace, yet persistently putting out excellent material. What distinguishes this release is the fact that it features music and lyrics written solely by Logan. Logan, who usually uses a collaborator to co-write the music, instead uses fellow Backburner labelmates the Possibilities solely as a backing band. This gives Monkey Paw a more cohesive sound than many of Logan's other, off the cuff recordings. In addition to being very prolific, Logan is extremely versatile. Monkey Paw flows easily between country ("I Wonder Where You Are"), old-timey blues ("It's Rare"), hard rock ("Scared of the Police"), and pure Logan originals ("Glass Eye Blues" and "Monkey Paw"). Combining the sheen of Buzz Me In with the rougher sound of Tinker, Monkey Paw is Logan at his best -- writing great rock songs about life's little moments. Monkey Paw stands as one of Logan's greatest and most accessible releases.