New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Rolling Away" by Jake Thistle


By Bob Makin

originally published: 08/23/2024

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Rolling Away” from Asbury Park singer-songwriter Jake Thistle’s new “Live From The Transparent Clinch Gallery” album. Also pictured at right is the LP’s producer-guitarist Gordon Brown of Williams Honor acclaim.  PHOTO BY JOEY “JO3YDONUTZ” CARIDE

Based on personal experience, no good deed goes unpunished. Yet, Asbury Park singer-songwriter Jake Thistle proves that theory completely wrong.

Helping to raise more than $100,000 for a variety of local charities, the 20-year-old Jackson Browne-inspired boardwalk bard is makin some serious waves.

On the eve of a Northeast mini tour with UK counterpart St. Lundi, Jake released his third album, “Live from the Transparent Clinch Gallery,” then immediately followed that tour with 90.5 the Night’s Songwriters on the Beach alongside Texas songwriter Rhett Miller.

Jake is just rolling away with opportunity and accomplishment, so the Makin Waves Song of the Week fittingly is “Rolling Away” from the “Transparent” live outing.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Rolling Away” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Aug. 23, on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

The live album was produced by longtime Asbury scenester Gordon Brown, who also serves as Jake’s David Lindley with some really sweet slide and steel playing.

Like its studio predecessor, “The Half Left Out,” “Live from Transparent” was released by Gold’N Retriever Records, the indie of veteran major label exec Joe Riccitelli. The live LP features all seven tracks from “The Half Left Out,”    including “Rolling Away”; “Lines on the Road” from his 2021 debut “Down the Line”; four unreleased tracks — “Better that Way (The Loser),” “I Fly Low,” “Half Beats Nothing,” and “Silver Bullet Sky” — and a cover of Don Henley’s “Heart of the Matter” featuring Gordon’s Williams Honor band mate Reagan Richards.

“Playing live is such a major part of my life, so getting to share a bit of that experience on this record is incredibly important to me, especially at such a legendary and unique place as The Transparent Clinch Gallery,” Jake said. “I'm thrilled to take these songs with me on the road!"

See Jake live Aug. 28 at Light of Day Songwriters Circle at Parker Press Park in Woodbridge with James Maddock, Miss Emily, Danielia Cotton, and Joe D’Urso; Sept. 1, Woodbridge High School Concert Field with his Jackson Browne tribute band Late for the Sky; Sept. 21, Mitchell Farm Music Festival, Salem, CT, with Late for the Sky; Sept. 29, Cliffwood Garden, Metuchen; Oct. 4, Avenel Performing Arts Center, in a tribute to John Prine with Joe D’Urso & Friends; Oct. 10 to 12 at Tom Petty Weekend at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, FL; Nov. 16, Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove, with Brian Dunne; Dec. 7, Ringside, Caldwell, and Dec. 8, Luka’s, Bogota, with Jon Herrington, Tony Garnier, Anton Fig, Jonny Rosch, Mark Whitfield, and Leslie Mendelson.

For more about Jake, visit https://jakethistle.com.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].



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.



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


New

New Jersey Symphony: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony

Thursday, February 26, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

bergenPAC

bergenPAC Idol

Thursday, February 26, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

The

The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute

Friday, February 27, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Twisted

Twisted Livin’ Band

Friday, February 27, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Cherish

Cherish the Ladies

Friday, February 27, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

State

State Theatre New Jersey presents Diana Krall on March 20th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Diana Krall – Tour 2026 on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 8:00pm. Diana's unique artistry transcends any single musical style and has made her one of the most recognizable artists of our time. As The New York Times recently noted, Krall possesses "A voice at once cool and sultry, wielded with a rhythmic sophistication."



Blues

Blues Traveler Expands 2026 Tour

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Multi-platinum rock band Blues Traveler are expanding their 2026 touring slate with a new run of headline dates, adding to a banner year that features festival appearances like Bonnaroo and a continuation of their iconic annual Fourth of July show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre — where this year they'll be joined by special guests Better Than Ezra and The Record Company. Collectively, these performances reaffirm the band's enduring dominance as a formidable force on the live music circuit. The tour comes to Atlantic City, Asbury Park, and New York City in August.



The

The Landis Theater presents Legends of Woodstock - Tributes to Jimi & Janis on Friday

(VINELAND, NJ) -- The Landis Theater presents Legends of Woodstock - Tributes to Jimi & Janis on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 8:00pm.



The

The Newton Theatre presents Lita Ford on May 9th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Lita Ford in concert on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. With a legacy that spans nearly five decades, Lita Ford continues to inspire generations of musicians— solidifying even more, her place as an icon, pioneer, and true Queen of Rock.



State

State Theatre New Jersey and The Bowery Presents Blackberry Smoke

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and The Bowery Presents Blackberry Smoke – Rattle, Ramble and Roll Tour 2026 on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 7:00pm. Throughout their career, Blackberry Smoke have embodied Georgia's rich musical legacy, honoring the people, places, and sounds of their home state.