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As you all know, Java Jive is the on campus weekly showing of talented, local artists. This week was no exception, with Jon Bailey stepping up to the plate. His stage presence catches your eye first. He has the audience by the first flash of his smile. The next thing you notice is his guitar. It looks like your typical sunburst acoustic guitar; only he’s playing it left handed, and upside down.
Jon sat down and the show was on. With his John Mayer-like mic making out to get a nice soft sound and the clear mastery of his guitar, he owned the stage. He sang of his family and the life that surrounds him. He mixed originals with covers, even transitioning one into the other without pause. His originals were clearly well thought out and straight from the heart, with incredible guitar riffs, odd chord structures, creative lyrics and a voice that pulled everything together. While his cover of John Mayer’s “Stop this Train” was a little awkward, Jon said it was his first time playing it out in the open, and his renditions of well known songs such as “Crooked Teeth” by Death Cab for Cutie, and “Wonder Wall” by Oasis showed off his talent for elaborating on covers and adding his own flare.
When asked what got him to pick up a guitar and strum his first chord Jon responded, “It was when my friend lived with me for a while and he got me into it, and Dashboard Confessional, back when it was just one guy, was what kept me at it.” It is clear that Jon has surpassed Dashboard Confessional in terms of guitar playing, leaving his audience awestruck and constantly captivated wondering where he is going next. Unfortunately, that lack of a common denominator can occasionally lose his audience. The lack of structure though seems to work for Jon though. He is comfortable on stage, constantly telling jokes and stories to keep a feeling of closeness with his audience to create a small coffee shop atmosphere.
Random outbursts and yelling from the crowd seemed like old hat to Jon. This artist is definitely used to the limelight, and loves it. After the show, there was literally a line for girls to stand in to get a hug from the man that had just melted their hearts. Even the guys were lining up to shake this amazing guitarist’s hand, maybe even get a hint or two at how to woe the ladies. Jon finished off his set with “Long December” – by Counting Crows, getting the entire crowd singing the “nah nah nah’s,” and transitioned straight into “Joker”- by Steve Miller Band. His last “thank you” was met with a standing ovation and a rush of the stage. For those of you who missed this great performance you can hear some of Jon’s stuff at Http://www.myspace.com/bemondo. When asked to compare this show to some of the others Jon’s only reply was “It was fun.”
Bangor Daily News