Son Of John & John Parker-Live At Fieldgate Studio
Following on from Son Of John's (or Jacob Johnson's if you prefer) 2016 debut album, Autumn Hymn, the local singer-songwriter teamed up with double bass player extraordinaire, John Parker (Nizlopi, Ward N Parker, Burning Salt, Jackie Oates, Polly Petc) for a number of bewitching gigs across the region, on the back of these successes the duo headed to Fieldgate studios in a bid to capture the live magic with a five track EP.
The new disc recorded live, comprises of two reworkings from the aforementioned Autumn Hymns, a duo of traditional tracks and a brand new number, recorded specially for the EP, whilst the album saw Jacob's tracks fleshed out with percussion, bass and electric guitar, the new EP sees Son Of John strip things back to the bare bones of vocals, acoustic and Parker's evocative double bass, for a sensational, intimate affair. Opening with a rendition of Wild Bill Jones and Jacob's plucked acoustic, before Parker makes his presence felt, mournfully sawing across his bass, propelling the track forward by pumelling and caressing a deep, bewitching sound from his instrument, whilst Jacob continues picking and strumnming, whilst revealing a weary, weathered growl, giving the traditional roots number a battered folk blues makeover, setting the mood for beguiling mix of folk, blues and roots ahead.
Brand new song, The Waves, follows and proves that Jacob is no mere interrupter, as he creates a slow, almost becalming, folky affair, with dexterous guitar and that gravelly lead becoming a lulling croon, he seduces the senses, whilst Parker's bass begins as a light ripple before slowly drawing in as the full effect of the 'The Waves' lap at the listener, washing over them and urging them to submerge completely. American Progress starts in much the same sedate manner but quickly develops as Johnson claws at his guitar with increasingly more urgency, whilst Parker again peppers proceedings, providing a deep pulse, before adding more atmospheric flavouring by drawing his bow across the bass, as the duo produce a moody, folk masterpiece full of drama and intrigue. Talking of moods, Parker opens proceedings on the final original number, The Maid & The The King, toying with his strings, formulating an inventive and enticing soundscpae, before Jacob returns to the mix to add his own acoustic handiwork and those aforementioned rich gravelly tones to the proceedings, adding an infectious melody to Parker's exploitative bass as the duo reach new heights.
The final number, a rendition of John The Revelator, sees the duo strip things back even further, as Jacob casts aside his guitar, delivering a stark, mesmeric vocal, with only Parker's double bass for company, the track, a personal favourite, is (and pardon the pun) a revelation, as Jacob's lead and John's deep double bass throbs and percussive knocks, help breathe life into a well worn theme, giving the song a unique and enthralling twist, rounding of a sensational five-track affair, worthy of any self-discerning music fan's collection.
www.sonofjohnfolk.com