Jeff Talmadge – Sparrow
Jeff Talmadge has quietly released a new album, on Berkalin Records, of solid, earthy folk songs that confide in you honestly with acoustic guitar, a sincere vocal, and classy songwriting: Sparrow. No jangle or indie faux- vulnerability here, just the real thing. A man and his guitar singing clear and true. It’s been ten years since Talmadge released his last album, but, thankfully he decided to share his songs with the world once again.
The album opener “Hurricane” is full of metaphor and literal anxiety: “Hold on there’s hurricane coming, Hold on tie everything down, Hold on there’s a hurricane coming, maybe it’ll blow away this town.”
“If I Was A Sparrow” sets up lightly with a gentle, bluesy, open tuning arrangement and a shaker. “If I was a sparrow I’d fly back to where I came” expresses that feeling that aren’t quite where we belong, and that feeling that we’d like to go back in time and do it all over again. “A wise man once told me you won’t forget that woman’s touch.”
Fingerpicking invites you in on Jeff’s co-write with Jim Patton and Steve Brooks,”Devil’s Highway.” The character put all his belongings on a Greyhound bus, he was “on that road called the Devil’s Highway” and it’s a highway of poor choices and regret.
“Forgiveness” echoes what was set out in the title track, where flashes of memories and “golden embers” remind you of a love felt ago that still crops back up pretty vividly, and a little unexpectedly, now and again.
The album is overflowing with songs that take it easy on you, offering images that flit past as if you are looking out the window on a train ride, even when they’re often cloud-tinged with longing and regrets. Check this out for some solid songsmanship. Find more information on his website here: https://jefftalmadge.com/
Musicians on the album are Jeff Talmadge on vocals, guitars and backing vocals; J. David Leonard on guitars, bass, lap steel, keys, percussion and backing vocals; Bradley Kopp on guitar and backing vocals; Benny “Bugs” Franklin on percussion; and Carter Magnussen-French on backing vocals.
This album was produced by J. David Leonard, Bradley Kopp and Jeff Talmadge, and mastered by Mark Hallman with cover photo by Ron Hippie, and graphic design by Rob Cordes.
It was recorded at Reveal Audio in Marietta, Georgia and at Red Boot Ranch in Buda, Texas.
