Howard Jones is one of those vocalists and musicians who improve with age. "Ordinary Heroes" is a very impressive and reflective CD of ten brilliantly thoughtful and engaging songs dominated by Howard's expert piano virtuosity augmented by majestic strings. Exemplary songs include "Straight Ahead", "Say It Like You Mean It", "You Knew Us Well," and "Soon You'll Go." The most infectious tunes that should be radio friendly hits are "Collective Heartbeat", "Someone You Need" and "Ordinary Heroes". All ten songs wonderfully flow together making this an extremely cohesive recording. HOJO is a profoundly compassionate Buddhist and his lyrics focus on peace, conciliation, hope, yearning and respect for the downtrodden. He has an eternal and inspiring optimism that resonates in his music and his sterling live performances.
Howard Jones was a pop star in the 1980's. His more unknown and refined CDs of the past twenty years are ironically far superior to his 1980's hit records and singles. They include "In The Running", "People" and "Revolution Of The Heart." Howard Jones is now an "Ordinary Hero" in the "commercial music industry" but his "Ordinary Heroes" CD is extraordinarly good. It's nice to listen to quality music composed, played and sung by talented and benevolent people.