By Bob Makin
originally published: 04/28/2023
“Wheel,” Jackson Pines’ first original release in two years, is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. PHOTO BY WATERMRK STUDIOS
Earlier this year, Jackson Pines released what so far has been my favorite Jersey album of the year. But “Pine Barrens Volume One” is a collection of covers of old folk songs written in and/or about Jersey Pinelands.
Recently, Jackson Pines followed that amazing album with their first original tune in two years, “Wheel,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Wheel” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on April 28 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin or MixCloud.
“Wheel” is the title track single off a fall- bound LP.
The beautifully rootsy single sounds like the musical equivalent of a river cascading over slippery rocks as pines whisper in the breeze and provide shade to crispy leaves riding downstream. There’s a reason they’re called Jackson Pines.
“Wheel” was recorded at Ace Ender's studio in Hammonton, produced by the band, engineered and mixed by Tyler Sarfert and mastered by Dana Yurcisin.
For years, the original duo of singer-songwriter-guitarist-harmonicist Joe Makoviecki and upright bassist James Black tried to get into the New Jersey Folk Festival, but they always were considered too much of roots rock band. Ironically, after expanding into even more of a rock unit with drummer-mandolinist Cranston Dean and banjoist-mandolinist-flutist Max Carmichael, they finally landed their first NJFF gig based on the passionate authenticity, inspired arrangements and strong performances of the history-rich “Pine Barrens Volume One.”
Jackson Pines will make their festival debut on April 29 on the Eagleton lawn of Rutgers University with more appearances sure to come in the wake of what seems like a “Pine Barrens” series.
The LP, which was a Makin Waves Album of the Month, also impressed PBS, who produced a documentary about the band. “Bringing It All Back Home,” a half-hour episode of PBS’ “Here’s the Story” series, can be enjoyed here. In addition to “Pine Barrens,” the doc focuses Joe & James’ roots in the Pinelands of Jackson, including their close, longtime relationship with Albert Hall, the Grand Ole Opry of the Jersey Pines.
“Glad to use our platform to shine a light on the Pine Barrens and the folks who make Albert Music Hall what it is, an American treasure,” Jackson Pines posted after the episodes April 26 premiere.
A second “Wheel” single will be released in summer. Meanwhile, enjoy Jackson Pines live May 5, Blue Moon Theater, Woodstown; May 13, Franklin Parker Preserve, Chatsworth; May 20, a secret show in the Pine Barrens (contact the band for details); May 29, Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park; June 8, Steelstacks, Bethlehem, Pa.; June 9 at an Atlantic City venue to be announced; June 10, The Grape Room, Philadelphia, and June 30, Baronet Rooftop, Asbury Park, with Connor Bracken and the Mother Leeds Band and The Vaughns.
For more, click on www.jacksonpines.com
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
EVENT PREVIEWS
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(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes the DePue Brothers Band on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00pm. In a departure from the series' customary chamber music fare, the DePue Brothers Band has long coined their music with the term "grassical," the combination of bluegrass with jazz, blues, rock, folk, and classical.
Albert Music Hall's "Back to Our Roots" Benefit on Sunday to Support Preservation of Pinelands Music History
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will present Back to Our Roots, a special fundraising concert on Sunday, July 19, 2026, inviting music lovers to enjoy an afternoon of live performances while helping preserve an important piece of New Jersey's musical heritage.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd
(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July
(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.
Middletown Arts Center presents Reina Williams + The Remedy
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents a concert featuring Reina Williams + The Remedy on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special guest performers Renee Maskin and Patrick Bamburak will open the show. Enjoy an evening of original music spanning reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk, Americana, and indie rock from some of New Jersey's most talented musicians. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd
(MADISON, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Harmonium Choral Society presents I Dreamed Last Night. Directed by Lennie Watts with music direction by John Fischer, I Dreamed Last Night is a one woman show with Gloria Bangiola. There are songs and stories about dreams, hopes, wishes, ambitions, fantasies, nightmares, impossibilities and that big ol' American one we are all still working to make real. Showtime is 7:00pm.
HOT 97's Summer Jam 2026 to Take Place July 24th at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is once again bringing the culture's biggest night back to the tri-state area with Summer Jam 2026, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective, Summer Jam continues its legacy as the most iconic Hip Hop concert in the world.
Summer Jazz: Drummer Joe Farnsworth and Special Guests at William Paterson
For more than three decades, Joe Farnsworth has been one of the most admired drummers in modern jazz, revered for his superb technique, driving swing, and unwavering commitment to the jazz tradition. A Massachusetts native mentored by legendary drummers Alan Dawson, Arthur Taylor, and Jimmy Lovelace, Farnsworth has appeared on nearly 400 recordings and performed with an astonishing array of jazz masters, including McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, Pharoah Sanders, Cedar Walton, Harold Mabern, and Wynton Marsalis. He is also a founding member of the acclaimed hard bop collective, One for All, alongside longtime musical associates tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trombonist Steve Davis, the late trumpeter Jim Rotondi, and pianist David Hazeltine.
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