Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review


Jon Gibson, 'Body & Soul'
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Jon Gibson
Body & Soul



Genre(s): Pop / Soul
Album length: 9 tracks: 37 minutes, 5 seconds
Street Date: 1989


READER RATING:   


Okay, yes, Jon Gibson has an eerily similar vocal delivery to a non-one-hit-wonder in Stevie, it's true. However, this blue-eyed soul singer had/has more than enough chops to stand on his own. Body & Soul is his fourth album, and it finds him dropping late 80s pop earworms like the Beatlesque "Heart of Gold," the choir-backed "In the Name of the Lord," and "Everyone Needs the Lord."

Not to mention stellar songs like "Father, Father," and "God Will Find Ya." Lastly of note are the ballad "Merry-Go-Round" and his cover of Wonder's "Have a Talk with God," featuring an excellent harmonica solo from the song originator himself.

The main drawback of the album is that it is undeniably tied to the sound of its era. This is 80s music with drum machines and instrumentation that fit the decade. Whether that bothers you or not will go a long way toward your enjoyment or lack thereof. Other than that, songs "Long Ago" and "Us Now" are nearly a disappointing way to end the album with "Everyone Needs the Lord" stepping in to save the day. They are both examples of a decent try, but are missing the stellar qualities of their track mates. In the former, the island groove sticks out like a sore thumb, while the latter treads too closely to melodrama.

Ultimately, over half the album is a hit with this reviewer and easily makes it my favorite record from this fantastic artist. If you're unfamiliar with Gibson and his work, he's certainly worthy of some streams if Stevie Wonder, and other fine piano-centric songs with great vocal chops, are your jam. I also highly recommend his albums Forever Friends and Love Education, the latter of which can sadly only be heard on YouTube for some reason. All in all, Jon Gibson is one of my all-time favorite vocalists and I hope this review piques your interest enough for you to give him a shot.

- Review date: 2/5/23, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

. Record Label: Frontline Records
. Album length: 9 tracks: 37 minutes, 5 seconds
. Street Date: 1989
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)

  1. Heart Of Gold (2:59)
  2. In The Name Of The Lord (4:41)
  3. Merry-Go-Round (4:46)
  4. God Will Find Ya (4:37)
  5. Father, Father (3:51)
  6. Have A Talk With God (4:22)
  7. Long Ago (4:43)
  8. Us Now (3:08)
  9. Everyone Needs The Lord (3:58)

 

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images