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Joe Algeri is the mastermind behind one of the finest Aussie powerpop outfits of recent times, Jack & the Beanstalk.

Significantly enough, the debut single from Jack and the Beanstalk was called "Gram Parsons". Which explains why this solo odds and sods collection contains the purest strain of Cosmic Americana.

Apart from his wonderful taste in musical influences and inspirations (basically country-inflected pop), Algeri boasts a wicked lyrical wit, which certainly makes listening to his work that much more interesting.

"I want to bite you, my apricot girl" (Apricot Girl), "You say you've never hit a woman/So why do you beat me on the inside?" (Lee Hazelwood), "There's no one here when I hold you down" (After the Rain), "You fuck me up you're so unreal" (Unreal) and "I thought you were a toy in just another one of my games" (Your Song) indicates Algeri's deft skill at turning a phrase.

Blend this with Algeri's more obvious tunesmithing prowess and the end product is an album of high quality country-folk songs that warrant closer scrutiny.

(8)
Kevin Mathews
Power of Pop

Jack and the Beanstalk's front man and ex-stonemason Algeri presents his first solo CD, having previously released a couple of cassette-only sets.

Everything Under The Sun is so named because as the sleeves states, it is made up of 'acoustic solitude, live demos and other silly things' - a comment which to say it sells the album short is the mother of all understatements.

.With the possible exception of the Norwegian Wood pastiche Yeah... No (which was recorded with Adam Schmitt) this is a beautifully full and satisfying album.

The arrangements are spare but never thin, and Algeri fills each song with a warmth and humanity that is both mellow and spirited.

His voice and playing bring to mind Go-Betweens Grant McLennan and the more acoustic side of Weird Summer, and the production values are exemplary.

The album closes with a brief but stirring take on Gene Clark's Outlaw Song which is for me is cue to return to the CD player and push the play button again.

Terry Hermon
Bucketful Of Brain

Jack & the Beanstalk's resident songwriter gets mellow with his collection of lilting acoustic snap shots, recorded in his native Australia as well as France and America.

Sweetheart of the Rodeo-era Byrds would be a good reference point or '60s pop music in general. "Yeah No" is a conscious "Norwegian Wood" cop, both melodically and in the guitar riff, that blows by swiftly and sweetly like a cool breeze or the vanishing scent of a lover's perfume.

"Lonely With A Smile" is pure Nick Drake referring to "Northern Sky" one of Drake's most sublime songs. "Endless Summer" brings to mind the Beach Boys - if not in style than in substance.

Algeri is in a frame of mind to acknowledge his influences, but not once does the music become cloying or resort to post-modern posturing. While the tunes average a scant 2 minutes each none the less they are fully realized pieces.

Imagine a cabin in the woods, a bottle of wine, an acoustic guitar and lone troubadour pouring his heart on the corner of the porch.

Lovely stuff.

Larry O. Dean
Amplifier magazine (US) Vol.4, No.5

A dual release from American and Swedish labels by the front man of the power popping Aussie band Jack and the Beanstalk.

Everything Under the Sun is Algeri unplugged, as he delivers 13 heartwarming, acoustic numbers that allow his fine voice to take center stage. Dylan fans will love the harmonica based “Apricot Girl” and the cover of Gene Clark’s “Outlaw Song".

“Lonely with a Smile” has a very pretty string section. There’s also a track filled with radio edits of Algeri and Jack and the Beanstalk appearances from all over the world.

Very cool!

David Bash

Hanging out a bit more in Perth we have a solo album from Joe Algeri (mainman of Jack & the Beanstalk), …Sings Everything under The Sun [Torpedo/Egomaniac/Parasol].

As it’s subtitle says this is a collection of “acoustic solitude, live demos and other things” from the last half or so of this decade.

But it is not really just Algeri alone with his guitar and voice, there is a range of accompaniment from cello to pedal steel to various percussion. Mostly recorded by former DM3 bass player and recordist Tony Italiano these are not lo-fi home recordings.

The acoustic and melancholic nature of most of these songs give a late ‘60s/early ‘70s Southern Calif singersongwriter feel to most of them. (And I think this is implicitly acknowledged by the inclusion of a rendition of Gene Clark’s Outlaw Song at the end.)

Apricot Girl seems to nod towards the British equivalent of the time. And After The Rain comes closest to feeling like something the Beanstalk might work up.

It’s all quite pretty, and just right for those lonely, foggy, rainy days we seem to be in the midst of here.

David M. Snyder
The Bob # 57

Joe Algeri har flyttat från Perth till Stockholm och lagt sitt band Jack & The Beanstalk i malpåse. Till skillnad från powerpoppiga Beanstalk är Everything Under the Sun en sympatisk singer/songwriter-platta.

Låtarna har skrivits under en femårsperiod och titlar som Lee Hazlewood och Outlaw song (Gene Clark-cover) ger en vink om vilka som är Algeris stora husgudar.

PM JÖNSSON
GP