Product Description Jules Shear has been an influential force on the American music scene for more than 20 years, first as a member of the LA country rock band the Funky Kings, then with his own Jules & the Polar Bears (whose debut release, Got No Breeding, was named one of Rolling Stone's top albums of the '70s), then as a solo artist. The founder and original host of MTV Unplugged, his songs have been covered by Cyndi Lauper ("All Through the Night"), the Bangles ("If She Knew What She Wants"), the Band, Roger McGuinn, Art Garfunkel and numerous others. Allow Me captures Jules' quirky, challenging pop at peak form, with a stellar band including Mark Egan (bass), Stewart Lerman and Steuart Smith (guitars), and guest vocals from Susan Cowsill, Vicki Petersen and Suzzy Roche. Produced by Stewart Lerman and Jules Shear. .com Champions of long-time cult hero Jules Shear have been scratching their heads in wonder for decades, wondering when the rest of the world will embrace their beloved singer-songwriter. Shear maintains a knack for stringing pithy, perceptive couplets back to back to back, adorning most with insistent pop hooks. Allow Me's best moments--the evocative folk-rocker "Just Another Railroad Train" (with Suzzy Roche adding harmonies) and the wonderfully empathetic "Hugging Her Guitar" among them--are as engaging as such Shear staples as "If She Knew What She Wants" (popularized by the Bangles). But Shear shares much with Jackson Browne; both write lyrics that soar, but their voices are earthbound, a shortcoming that partially explains the former's modest success. Allow Me, like most of its predecessors, isn't likely to change things for Shear and his faithful legions, but it will buck up the troops while the battle continues. --Steven Stolder
K**L
Jules Shear: Song Writer among the Greats!!
Another great record from one of our modern era great song writerJules Shear is in the same class as the gifted writers of past eras !
R**B
Jules Shear rocks again
"A Music Fan" in Virginia, must be my long lost twin brother. When will the record labels get the great Polar Bears on CD?! There is a mystery 3rd Polar Bears album that was recorded in 1980 and not released until 1996 on cd called "Bad For Business"... get it, if you can find it. I have been listening to "Allow Me" for 7 months and can't believe the radio play-list has ignored this mans music once again. With potential hits as the up-beat "Deep", "Love With You" and "Hard Enough" as well as the slower "Too soon Gone" the air waves are instead littered with mindless whining "Back Street Boys", "NSYNC" and "Brittany Spears". Jules is a brilliant writer, but it is his high energy voice along with those meaningful catchy tunes that make him the most under-rated musician in the biz. "Allow Me" returns Jules to the those great Polar Bear days with classic raspy guitar licks and his spirited vocals. He has done the upside down left handed accoustical and the duet albums with dignity and class, not reaching for big pay days but concerned about doing it right; Jules is rocking again. His best work since "Got No Breeding". Perhaps the world will hear the great songs off "Allow Me" when some pretty boy band records them, oh what they are missing.
R**T
Can This Guy Get Some Support?? Please?
I have been a Jules junkie since, oh, 1978? My favorites are Great Puzzle, and Healing Bones. On Allow Me, the songs are a little more varied, offering, one would hope, something for everyone to enjoy, and nothing for anyone to dislike. Jules deserves a lot more fame and fortune (remember, he started the MTV Unplugged series), but who's gonna pay(ola) the Top 40 DJ's to slip The More That I'm Around You into the rotation.For a fun time, put that song on, and imagine the MTV video -- Jules as a chef, baking all sorts of wonderful pastries and goodies for the (gradually expanding) object of his affection.Sorry, Jules, I couldn't resist.
A**N
Just a pleasure and a delight
It's a shame more of the world has yet to discover Jules Shear. His music is amazing. This collection is by far his best since "The Great Puzzle." On this CD, Jules really rocks again with some of the most pleasant and surprising tunes he's ever recorded. More like "The Great Puzzle" than anything since, "Allow Me," features great lyrics, his incredible voice and moving music. I love this CD and just can't listen to it enough. If more people hear this CD, there would be a lot more fans of Jules Shear.
P**G
Consistently great
I had the opportunity to see Jules at a concert in Seattle last September and I was just amazed at what a pleasant experience it was to finially see him. Just Jules and his guitar, his expressive voice, his charming stories and his fantastic songs. And of course that funky guitar playing style. It was one of my favorite musical moments. The new album is more of the same high quality lyrics, vocal arrangements, and songwriting that I've grown to exspect. And with Stuart Smith on guitar, well how can you go wrong.
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