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.
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].
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
Telegraph Quartet to Perform on the Morris Museum's Back Deck to Kick Off Its Celebrated Summer Outdoor Concerts Series
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Telegraph Quartet will return to perform for the Morris Museum's seventh annual Back Deck season. This outdoor concert series began during the pandemic, and The New York Times describes it as "Live Music Splendor in a Parking Lot." Showtime is 7:30pm.
Carteret PAC presents Jo Dee Messina
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Chart-topping country music icon Jo Dee Messina will perform at The URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Friday, June 12, 2026. Messina is known for her powerful vocals and extensive catalog including nine number-one hits, 16 Top 40 songs, and awards and nominations from the ACM, CMA, AMA, Billboard, and the Grammys. Showtime is 8:000pm.
SOPAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Friday, June 12, 2026 with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox — a venue-wide celebration from 5:00pm–11:00pm.
Trenton City Museum presents Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on June 12th
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum presents the concert Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 6:30pm. Versatile vocalists Tom Chiola and Pam Jorgensen, accompanied by the George Sinkler Trio, will delight audience members with selections from Broadway, Blues, Jazz, and more. Transformed into a stylish jazz café, the museum will also provide delicious food and beverages amid the art of the just-opened Ellarslie Open 43 exhibition. Doors will open at 6:00pm.
French Montana to Headline Grand Opening of Dream Live Performing Arts Center
(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream will celebrate the region's opening World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco with the debut of its newest venue, the Dream Live Performing Arts Center, with a postgame concert by French Montana on June 13, 2026 at 9:00pm.
Sergio Mendes' Wife, Gracinha Leporace, Brings His 'Best Band Ever' to New Jersey
Sixty years ago, Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (A&M Records) emerged as both a masterful artistic statement and a major commercial breakthrough album. The record helped introduce the sophisticated rhythms and cool elegance of Brazilian bossa nova and samba to a truly global audience, blending Brazilian musical traditions with American pop, jazz, and contemporary studio production and repertoire.
Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I'm 84" at Axelrod PAC
(DEAL, NJ) -- As a tribute to Sir Paul McCartney's upcoming 84th birthday in June, Jersey Shore musician Marc Ribler has put together an all-star lineup to perform "When I'm 84" at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on June 18th
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who’s spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop.
Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim Bring Award-Nominated Country Blues to Lizzie Rose Music Room on June 18th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Award-nominated country blues duo Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim will bring their captivating blend of traditional country blues, folk, and Americana to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm.
The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers to Perform at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Genre-defying rock legends The Black Crowes bring their massive co-headlining Southern Hospitality Tour with modern rock's boundary-pushing powerhouse Whiskey Myers to Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 8:00pm.
MORE EVENTS
Click on the listing to bring up its webpage
