A profoundly gifted writer, producer, and performer, Jono Manson weaves the threads of his remarkable life and career into a captivating, cohesive whole on his new album, Stars Enough To Guide Me, out March 31 on Blue Rose. Recorded at Manson’s own The Kitchen Sink studio in Santa Fe, NM, the album brings together a slew of special guests—from GRAMMY-winner John Popper and American Idol finalist Crystal Bowersox to folk/Americana stalwart Eliza Gilkyson—to craft an organic, eclectic sound that manages to look to the future and honor the past all at once. The songs here are diverse and genre-bending, drawing on roots, rock, soul, and country traditions as they paint vivid portraits of resilient characters standing tall in the face of time’s relentless march, and Manson’s performances are similarly determined, delivered with a passion and conviction that’s as honest as it is empathetic. While it would be easy for Manson to rest on his laurels at this point in his career, Stars Enough To Guide Me is anything but a trip down memory lane; rather, it’s the start of a brand-new chapter, the work of an artist determined to continue forging his legacy one song at a time.
“I’m singing better than I ever have, I understand myself on a deeper level than ever before, and I’m in the middle of one of the most creative, productive periods I’ve ever experienced,” Manson reflects. “I might be pushing 62, but it feels like I’m just getting started.”
credits
released March 31, 2023
1. Lights Go Out (2:54)
Words and Music by Jono Manson
Magic Request Music / BMI
Lilyjamcreative / BMI
Jono Manson - Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Lead and Harmony Vocals
Ronnie Johnson - Bass Guitar
Jason Crosby - Organ, Electric Piano
Mark Clark - Drums, Percussion
Jon Graboff - Electric Guitars
2. On the Downlow (4:01)
Words and Music by Jono Manson
Magic Request Music / BMI
Lilyjamcreative / BMI
Jono Manson - Acoustic Guitars, Electric Tenor Guitar, Lead Vocal
Ronnie Johnson - Bass Guitar
Jason Crosby - Electric Piano
Mark Clark - Drums, Congas
Jon Graboff - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
3. No New Kind of Blue (3:04)
Words and Music by Jono Manson and Caline Welles
Magic Request Music / BMI
Lilyjamcreative / BMI
Jono Manson - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal
John Popper - Lead Vocal, Harmonica
Kein Trainor - Electric Guitar
Ronnie Johnson - Bass Guitar
Mark Clark - Drums
John Egenes - Dobro, Mandolin
4. The Further Adventures of Goat Boy and the Clown (4:47)
Words and Music by Jono Manson
Magic Request Music / BMI
Lilyjamcreative / BMI
Jono Manson - Electric Guitars, Lead Vocal
Eric Ambel - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Ronnie Johnson - Bass Guitar
Jason “Goat Boy” Crosby - Piano, Harmony Vocal
Paul Pearcy - Drums, Tambourine
Craig Dreyer - Tenor and Baritone Saxophones, Horn Arrangements
Barry Danielian - Trumpet
Clark Gayton - Trombone
5. Timberline (2:57)
Words and Music by Jono Manson
Magic Request Music / BMI
Lilyjamcreative / BMI
Jono Manson - Electric Tenor Guitar, Lead Vocal
Trevor Bahnson - Lead Vocal, Electric Guitar
Ronnie Johnson - Bass Guitar
Jason Crosby - Piano, Violin
Mark Clark - Drums
6. The Last Man Shot in the War (3:40)
Words and Music by Jono Manson and Kevin Trainor
Magic Request Music / BMI
Lilyjamcreative / BMI
Jono Manson - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal
Eliza Gilkyson - Harmony Vocal
Kevin Trainor - Electric Guitar
Ronnie Johnson - Bass Guitar
Jason Crosby - Piano, Organ
Paul Pearcy - Drums
Jon Graboff - Electric 12-String Guitar, Pedal Steel
7. Make It Though to Spring (4:25)
Words and Music by Jono Manson and George Bacon
Magic Request Music / BMI
Cottage Pie Music / BMI
Lilyjamcreative / BMI
Jono Manson - Acoustic Tenor Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal
Myrrhine Faller - Harmony Vocal
Ronnie Johnson - Bass Guitar
Jason Crosby - Violin
Mark Clark - Drums
Jon Graboff - Pedal Steel, Mandolin, Electric Guitar
8. As Long as Grass Grows (3:37)
Words and Music by Jono Manson
Magic Request Music / BMI
Lilyjamcreative / BMI
Jono Manson - Electric Guitars, Lead Vocal
Kevin Trainor - Electric Guitar
Ronnie Johnson - Bass Guitar
Jason Crosby - Electric Piano, Organ
Mark Clark - Drums
Myrrhine Faller - Background Vocals
Craig Dreyer - Tenor and Baritone Saxophones, Horn Arrangements
Barry Danielian - Trumpet
Clark Gayton - Trombone
9. Alone (4:23)
Words and Music by Jono Manson, Caline Welles and Natanya Manson
Magic Request Music / BMI
Lilyjamcreative / BMI
Jono Manson - Electric Tenor Guitar, Acoustic Guitars, Lead Vocal
David Berkeley - Lead Vocal
Sally Van Meter - Dobro
Beppe Gambetta - Acoustic Guitar
Ronnie Johnson - Bass Guitar
Jason Crosby - Electric Piano, Organ
Paul Pearcy- Drums, Shaker
Jon Graboff - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
10. Before We Get Stupid (2:35)
Words and Music by Jono Manson and Kevin Trainor
Magic Request Music / BMI
Lilyjamcreative / BMI
Jono Manson - Electric Guitar,, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal
Crystal Bowersox - Lead Vocal
Jeff Scroggins - Banjo
Eric Ambel - Electric Guitars
Ronnie Johnson - Bass Guitar
Jason Crosby - Piano
Paul Pearcy - Drums
11. Late Bloomer (5:20)
Words and Music by Jono Manson
Magic Request Music / BMI
Lilyjamcreative / BMI
Jono Manson - Acoustic Guitars, Lead Vocal
Eliza Gilkyson - Harmony Vocal
Sally Van Meter - Weissenborn
Ronnie Johnson - Bass Guitar
Jason Crosby - Piano, Organ
Mark Clark - Drums
Produced by Jono Manson
Recorded and Mixed by Jono Manson at The Kitchen Sink, Santa Fe, NM
Additional Recording by:
Craig Dreyer at Mighty Toad Studio (Brooklyn, NY)
Eric Ambel at Evie’s Terrace (Brooklyn, NY)
Jason Reed at Spacecamp (Sonoma, CA)
Brian McRae at Wreckingroom Studio (Lyons, CO)
Clark Hagan at Mighty Fine Studios (Denver, CO)
Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering, Boulder, CO
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