Mar 21, 2024
Nicholas Jamerson / "Linda James" / OurVinyl Sessions
Apr 13, 2023
The Mandalorian Country Reaction Gifs
Feb 21, 2023
Nicholas Jamerson Performs "Holler Child"
Jan 25, 2023
Top 10 Ways to Become an Americana Singer
Dec 23, 2022
Cole Chaney & Nicholas Jamerson Perform "Another Day in the Life"
Apr 29, 2022
Nicholas Jamerson / "Bad Imagination" / Red Barn Radio
Aug 27, 2021
Album Review / Grayson Jenkins / Turning Tides
Review by Trailer
A fast-learning late-bloomer, Grayson Jenkins wrote his first song at 21 and now 7-8 years later is releasing Turning Tides, his third full album. Its writing was completed before the pandemic and recording took place just a few months in but Jenkins decided to hold off on releasing it, leaving him on hold, mentally and career-wise. He considered hanging it up more than once in 2020, but thankfully he did not.
If you’re a first timer like myself, Grayson Jenkins has a warm, reedy voice that welcomes you right in. His bio mentions Eric Church and Keith Whitley as descriptors, but I’m hearing more Bruce Robison. None of those are comparisons he’d turn his nose up at, I’m guessing. The music is much the same - enveloping and hospitable, a chilled out honky-tonk experience.
There’s a lot of what I’d call ‘soothing darkness’ sonically on this record. - a low key, soft approach, that while far from sparse musically, gives Jenkins a lot of room vocally. What he does with that space is croon to us of lonely nights, anxiety, hard work, and glimmers of hope.
The title cut is a main example of that sound of soothing darkness. Lyrically, though, it’s a ray of sun through drawn curtains, seeing hope after a hard time. Though written before these “crazy times,” one wouldn’t be wrong to apply the song to our current state.
“Low Down Lady” is a shuffling bar room toe-tapper that seems custom made for a Texas dancehall. It never gets around to explaining why she’s a “bad low-down lady,” but you know he’s crazy for somebody he ought not be, and it really doesn’t matter with a song this damn fun. Piano, steel, and a guitar solo fill this one out to perfection.
One of the highlights of the album for me, “Picket Fences” was co-written with Nicholas Jamerson (he of much independent country affection and also half the duo Sundy Best). It’s a fiddle-heavy look at the life of a musician compared to that of the average thirty-something. “I’ll take my rambling, keep your picket fence,” sings Jenkins, more than satisfied with the path he picked.
Turning Tides is yet another entry in the seemingly endless parade of excellent albums out of the Bluegrass State. At this point I’m surprised burgeoning musicians don’t move to Kentucky to get a dose of whatever’s in that water. Anyway, this record, it’s a good one and with it, you can still get in relatively early on another artist who’s gonna be a stalwart in the scene for years to come.
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Turning Tides is available today everywhere you get music, but especially right here.
Nov 9, 2020
Nicholas Jamerson Covers Brooks & Dunn's "Neon Moon"
Nov 5, 2020
Bridesmaids Country Reaction Gifs
*foul language warning*
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How Kane Brown writes a song
Insert your own joke about Dan + Shay. I can't because it's not politically correct.