Jack McKeon – Talking To Strangers
This debut CD recorded in Tennessee by Nashville-based bluegrass singer-songwriter Jack McKeon has a distinctive style. Despite his being originally from Chatham, NY his songs are devilishly brilliant in conception.
The recording has pristine production & McKeon’s rural voice is effective throughout. Lots of banjo, some dobro but nothing hokey. Both hands are on the wheel during this ride. There’s an Appalachian thread that runs through songs like “Highway 29” that leaves an authentic aura.
Jack is young & yet, has the necessary expressive rustic tone similar to Townes van Zandt that charges the tunes with well punctuated lines that are aged in rootsy furrows. Maybe grittier songs are in order but for now, Jack has the melodic traction to attract even dirty ears down on the farm & good ole boys on tractors who need music as strong as the corks on their dark green bottles. This collection has turpentine & field smoke on songs like “Highway 29,” a rural soulfulness rare in today’s music.
Jack’s plainspoken debut packs 10 expressive routes by Talking To Strangers (Drops June 21/Independent). The music is front porch dusty, but the prevailing melodies seem older than their composer. The few years Jack’s been in Tennessee environment must have rubbed off abundantly since he sounds like a true-blue country boy.
Jack’s more at home with the stylizations laid down by the late John Hartford with his lyrical cleverness as well-cultivated as Hank Williams mixed with Guy Clark & Vince Gill. Whatever the recipe Jack’s soul & talent work wonderfully & translate clearly.
What works well with Jack is the magical duet with bassist Vickie Vaughn who assists vocally on “Hard Headed,” a Woody Guthrie-type folky narrated tale. She returns on “Past the Point of Rescue,” & becomes the pinch of salt in the water. There are no lulls or boring mediocre moments.
“Crooked Teeth,” is marvelously poetic. It’s a Robert Service-inspired descriptive tale set to a moody melody & sad reflective ballad. You almost think you know the people Jack’s talking about. This is great songwriting at any level.
The CD has an artistic latitude beyond mere country folk since Jack tries to tackle themes other artists seem to ignore. Even “Waffle House Wonder” is a compelling poetic dobro-dominated tune that’s a well-crafted piece that could even be made more rustic by an older singer – say, Taj Mahal or the late Richie Havens. Both of whom would appreciate the songwriting eccentricity of Jack McKeon. I know I do.
Highlights – “Willow Lane,” “Highway 29,” “Last Slice of Heaven,” “Hard Headed,” “Crooked Teeth,” “Past the Point of Rescue” & “Waffle House Wonder.”
Musicians – Ashby Frank (mandolin), Christian Sedelmyer (fiddle), Justin Moses (dobro/banjo) & Vickie Vaughn (upright bass/vocal).
Color image courtesy of Brooke Stevens/IVPR. CD @ https://jackmckeonmusic.com/