Michael Stanley Band and Breathless alum Jonah Koslen handpicked the 15 songs on this live compilation, plundering the vaults for tracks that span his 35-year career. Some originate from Coffee Break Concerts he played at the Agora; others dip into concerts from the old Coliseum. Strike Up the Band kicks off with the Koslen-penned title tune, which became one of Stanley’s first hits in the ’70s. It’s expanded into a sing-along here that verges on overkill, but the audience doesn’t seem to mind, sticking around for all of the “strike it up, strike it up”s. Despite some solid performances, the ballads (“Waste a Little Time on Me” and “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Mind”) are filled with clichés. But edgier songs like “Alibis” and “Late Train” suggest that Koslen’s rowdier side has been underrated. — Niesel

This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 2, 2010.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.

One reply on “CD Review: JONAH KOSLEN”

  1. Jeff
    Thanks for reviewing Jonah’s latest CD. Jonah has been a Cleveland institution for along time and those of us in our “mid life” still have Michael and Jonah’s CD’s in our rotation. Both songs you thought had too many cliches are two of his biggest hits…maybe they don’t hold up as well today (but I would argue Nothings Gonna Change My Mind is just as great of a song today) but they were pretty awesome soundtracks to our late 1970’s through the 1980’s. Thanks again for giving his new CD some press.

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