Justin Townes Earle – Harlem River Blues
Justin Townes Earle – Harlem River Blues
9/10
Take me back two or three years and I very much doubt if this excellent album would of even made my player. How times change along with one’s musical preferences! Harlem River Blues has just about everything I want from a slice of Americana. I’m not sure where to start to be honest! The title track is a full-blown slice of good old Country in the best Cash tradition and on closer inspection I note one Caitlin Rose in the choir.
I have chatted about simplicity in music before, and for me that’s what makes this record all the more special. The instrumentation is right the way through sympathetic to Justin’s vocal as it embellishes his simple guitar picking without drowning it out. This is shown to best effect on ‘Workin’ For The MTA’, one of the many standout tracks on the record.
I know that there is a lot to live up to for Justin, both being the son of legendary troubadour Steve & to produce a record to match last year’s critically-acclaimed Midnight At The Movies. In my view he has delivered on all fronts and this is one of those albums that you will be able to slip on and immediately connect with. That’s not to say you will not grow to love it and discover new favourites such as in my case with ‘Learning To Cry’ and it’s beautiful steel guitar and fiddles.
As the press release says this is music for Indian Summer nights on the front porch or fire escape. Dropping on 20th September in the UK on Bloodshot Records, it really is a must buy if you dig this genre! Justin plays seven UK dates early November and you can find the details are on his website.
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