Oracle Jones is a band made up of three local Kimberley musicians with a history that dates back five decades. The band’s name comes from a character in a 1965 whiskey runner film, The Hallelujah Trail. The bandmates, including Dave Birch, Rob Young, and Marty Musser, have been playing together since the early 1970s, taking on various band names such as Light Flight, The Groove Juice Special, and 60 Hertz. Despite the changes in lineup and band names over the years, the one thing that remains consistent is their friendship and shared love for music.
The band meets every Wednesday to practice and still performs shows occasionally. They reminisce about their years of touring together, sharing stories from playing at the first Kimberley JulyFest to gigs at the Banff Springs Hotel. While they mainly play cover songs, they put their own creative spin on them, interpreting the tunes in a personal and unique way. They prioritize playing for themselves first and then for the public, a shift from their earlier days when audience approval was paramount.
Oracle Jones describes their sound as “vintage rock and roll,” focusing on old songs and B-sides rather than classic radio hits. They draw inspiration from artists like Fleetwood Mac and strive to bring their own creativity to the covers they perform. The band values communication and continually shares new songs and artists with each other to keep their repertoire fresh.
Despite only playing together once a week now, the bond of friendship forged over decades remains strong. The band members reflect on the uniqueness of their shared tastes and creative approach, noting how special and rare it is to have such a close-knit musical partnership. As they continue to perform together, they prioritize their friendship and shared passion for music above all else.
Catch Oracle Jones at upcoming performances at the Marysville Pub on Friday, May 24 and at Grist and Mash on Thursday, July 18. The band continues to bring their vintage rock and roll sound to Kimberley music fans, showcasing their wealth of talent and experience accumulated over five decades of playing together.
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https://www.kimberleybulletin.com/entertainment/oracle-jones-friends-for-over-50-years-provide-glimpse-of-vintage-rock-and-roll-7364641