If you have been following the blog for more than around 20
minutes you will know that I am a fan of a country/Americana singer/songwriter
that goes by the name Jackson Jones. We don’t cross paths all that often but it’s
always a pleasure to chat to someone that passionate about music and who is
very good at what they do.
This Friday night was notable for 3 things; firstly it was a
beautiful sunny evening which meant that it had been sunny for 3 days in a row.
(If you live in England you know how miraculous that shit is, if we have a warm
afternoon we call it a heat wave) Mr Jones had a new drinks holder attached to
his mike stand; it’s the little things in life that bring the most joy ladies
and gentlemen. And finally as I was about to head home I ended up in a strange conversation
about those drinks you got back in the 90’s as a kid where you used to drink
them out of the carton upside down. (The notable thing about point 3 was not
the topic of conversation but the fact I actually managed to have a
conversation with members of the opposite sex without sounding like I was on
day release)
That’s my crushing social awkwardness out of the way, let’s
talk music shall we? You know the drill by now, we got a great mix of covers
and originals with top chat, great beer in a brilliantly chilled out atmosphere.
Things got started with a great rendition of ‘If Love Was A River’ by Alan
Jackson. People often look confused when I start getting enthusiastic about
country music but I challenge you to find a genre where you would get a song
title like that, such a brilliant turn of phrase. A typically emotive version
of Field Of Stone’ follows and the tone is for the night is well and truly set.
One of the other things that I love about country and
Americana is the comedy you get in so many songs. I have written before how
this basically only really happens in country and hip hop and is part of the
reason why I hold both in such high regard. This light-hearted feel comes
through on the Kieran Kane tune ‘Dirty Little Town’ and suits the atmosphere down
to the ground. Up next was the first original of the night was ‘Fort Worth,’ a
track with its roots firmly planted in Memphis.
‘Nothing Changes’ followed, a track high on emotion and
feeling, and a song that was apparently written for the Royal British Legion. It’s
one thing hearing the tracks recorded on an album but the delivery from Jones
live and in person really brings the songs to life. ‘Days Of Nothing To lose’
is another original and is one of my favourite tracks from Jones. It’s perfect
for long summer nights and is simply drenched in nostalgia. A cover of Rick
Nelson’s ‘Garden Party’ followed a song which features the brilliant advice
that is ‘Can’t please everyone, so ya got to please yourself.’ Wise words I’m
sure you’ll agree.
‘Money In The Bag’ the story of a bank robbery with a twist,
‘Twang On A Wire’ and Jones’ heart-warming ode to his Father ‘Jack’ round out
the first half. There was a nice buzz in the room as we all headed to the bar
and to a man everyone has enjoyed the show thus far. There is nothing flashy
and extravagant here, just a man, his guitar and some brilliant songs.
The 2nd half kicks off with more country humour
in the shape of ‘The Road To Bayamon’ by Tom Russell. Jones is in fine form
tonight laughing and joking with the audience as we go, there aren’t many
better ways to spend your summer evenings trust me. We then get a semi-serious
insight into the song writing of the man taking centre stage on the night as he
reveals that up temp, rock n roll tinged ‘I don’t Know’ was penned after
watching a particularly dull game on Match Of The Day. (That’s real insight
people)
The nice ebb and flow of the set continues through ‘Till I
Gain Control Again,’ and ‘Can You Hear Me On The Radio’ which leads us into a
new track. ‘Modern Troubadour’ was written sat at Birmingham Snow Hill Station
and encapsulates that classic Jackson Jones sound, acoustic guitar and great
lyrics. The Willie Nelson classic ‘7 Spanish Angles’ rolls seamlessly into ‘Sunday
Morning Coming Down’ described by Jones as the best song Kris Kristofferson
ever wrote.
As things begin to wind to a close there is no dip in
quality as Jones covers former Eagles hit ‘7 Bridges Road’ and glides into ‘Sing
Me Back Home’ by Merle Haggard. If I wanted to try and describe country and
Americana to someone I would tell them to listen to that song, there’s a
glorious sincerity a feel good factor to it.
The evening comes to a close with a sterling rendition of
Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin On Heavens Door’ which just happens to be 1 of only 2
Dylan songs that I actually like, and this spin on a classic really does the
song justice.
There isn’t much I can say about the artist known as Jackson
Jones that I haven’t already said. When you see the man live you know exactly
what you are going to get, there’s nothing overly elaborate, nothing flash,
just a man who is extremely comfortable and extremely good at what he does. It’s
a one man and his guitar act but that’s all it needs to be. If you’re looking
for country and Americana with a Black Country twist, your list should only be
2 words long and those words should read Jackson Jones.
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