Louisville band Love Jones releases new album ‘Greatest Show on Earth’

Back in the 1990s when “grunge” and “boy band” music ruled the airwaves, one of the most unique bands to come out of Louisville headed in a different direction. For those who are fans of Love Jones and their red 1950s-era sports jackets, bongos and smooth pop lounge sound, we bring you good news.

After way too long, the Louisville lads are back with their fourth studio album, “The Greatest Show on Earth” and a live album release concert this weekend.

For the uninitiated, NBC Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon considers Love Jones one of his “top five of all-time favorite bands.” A fan from the band’s early days in Los Angeles, Fallon along with David Schwimmer (“Friends”), Vince Vaughn (“Wedding Crashers”) and Lou Maglia, producer for the band Tool, became regulars at Love Jones’ Thursday night gigs at a comedy and music club in the 90s.

The band toured the U.S., Europe and Japan after the release of its first album “Here’s to the Losers,” but after a failed sophomore album, starting families and some members moving back to Louisville, live shows became rare.

Longtime fans could always fill a venue during Love Jones‘ annual Derby week concerts. And in 2018, during the 25th anniversary and re-release of “Here’s to the Losers,” a social media post from a Love Jones fan caught the attention of another fan in New York City.

“I was driving home from work when messages popped up from Jimmy Fallon’s talent booker,” remembers Love Jones bassist Barry Thomas. “We ended up on ‘The Tonight Show’ with Jimmy singing along to our song ‘Ohio River.’ He knew every word. We also cut a record for his birthday. His wife wanted us to record a 45 (record) singing ‘Happy Birthday,’ but we decided to write an original song using information we got off his Wikipedia page.”

Thomas said that appearance on “NBC’s Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” inspired Love Jones to get back into the studio with new music. The result is “The Greatest Show on Earth,” which includes Thomas on bass, singer and percussionist Ben Daughtrey, singer and guitarist Chris Hawpe, and singer Jonathan Palmer. The band also enlisted the services of longtime collaborators including guitarist Todd Johnson (now a full Love Jones member), The Bad Ass Brass, keyboardist Bob Ramsey, drummer Scott Lankford, and super-producer John Alagía, who came on board to helm the project.

Fans will have the chance to hear the six new songs from the album Saturday. WFPK Presents Love Jones with Lemonade Hayride at 8 p.m. at Headliners Music Hall. 1386 Lexington Road. Online ticket sales $20 at headlinerslouisville.com.

Reach lifestyle and entertainment reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].