"I LOVE PLAYING music," Jonny Polonsky says. "To some other people it's a career. But to me, it's just my life." And what a wild, colorful life it's been so far. After releasing a series of homemade cassette tapes of his own music in the early '90s, the Chicago-born singer-songwriter was invited by John Zorn to play his New Jewish Music festival in New York City, where, still a teenager, Polonsky was backed by a band featuring Mark Ribot, playing in front of an audience that included soon-to-be fan Jeff Buckley. His solo career kicked off in earnest when super-producer Rick Rubin signed Polonsky to his American Recordings label, which released his acclaimed 1996 debut, Hi My Name Is Jonny. That album, a sharply written and incisive collection of infectious power-pop tunes, saw Polonsky performing all the instrumental parts and vocals himself, and was self-recorded at his childhood home.
Since then, Polonsky has continued to release critically lauded, if not necessarily commercially massive, solo efforts, making him something of a cult favorite among rock and pop aficionados in the know. At the same time, he's experienced a remarkable career as a collaborator, with his name attached to recordings by everyone from Johnny Cash (he played on his posthumous releases American V and VI) and Neil Diamond to Tom Morello, the Dixie Chicks and Donovan.
Now 49, Polonsky continues to be incredibly prolific. Last year, he unveiled an eclectic trio project with Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford under the name 7D7D; the group issued its debut single, "Capitalism," in December. And now he's back with Rise of the Rebel Angels, the first of two solo records he'll release this year. The album has been issued by Loosegroove Records, the imprint headed by Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard.
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Guitar Player.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Guitar Player.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MY CAREER IN FIVE SONGS
\"La Grange\" aside, these are the songs Billy F. Gibbons considers among his finest achievements.
TIP SHEET
He's played with and learned from the masters. Here are Christone \"Kingfish\" Ingram's best practices for performance.
How I Wrote..."The Story in Your Eyes"
Justin Hayward reveals the story and hidden message behind the Moody Blues' timeless 1971 hit single.
TWA
Krytical Mass KM-01 Reactive Octave Fuzz
FENDER
Tone Master Pro FR-10 Powered Cabinet
TWO NOTES
Special Edition Limited Run Torpedo Captor X
FENDER
Tone Master Pro Floor Modeler
AMERICANA AMBASSADOR
David Grisman details the historic mandolins, guitars and banjos he played on the Acoustic America album, as exhibited at Arizona's Musical Instrument Museum.
CAN'T STOP THE BOP
He's a bebop originator who's played with everyone from Charlie Parker to Jimmy McGriff. Now 96 and fronting a new album, Chicago guitarist George Freeman shows no sign of slowing down
DIRTY DEEDS
Looking for fresh musical inspiration, Kenny Wayne Shepherd left Nashville for Alabama's FAME Studios. The result is Dirt on My Diamonds, Vol. 1, the first half of a new album project that continues his blues-rock evolution.