Jeremy Dion – Bend In the Middle
This collection isn’t steeped in the musical styles of more modern singer-songwriters as several from the past who inaugurated the approach. Jeremy has a friendly voice with good tonality & range. It’s all from the school in particular of Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary) with his songwriting classiness (“The Great Mandala,” & “I Dig Rock n’ Roll Music”).
Then there are generous dips into Kenny Rankin & Don McLean. Jeremy’s not as raw & gruff as the old 60s troubadour Barry McGuire but stylistically he too is evident (“What’s Exactly The Matter With Me?”). Jeremy’s songs have heft & while the opener is good folk-pop in “All I See Is You,” it’s a wonderful intro to the new work while the sophisticated source of Jeremy begins with “Bend In the Middle.” It has a cool 60s coffee-house folk enthusiasm. Yet, somewhere in that vocal is a cross-pollination of a good commercial/mainstream pop singer. This LP was produced by Kyle Donovan (guitars/bgv) & recorded in Colorado. It provides 11 well-assembled songs that Bend In the Middle (Drops Oct 18/Inner View Records/44:23) for award-winning singer-songwriter Jeremy Dion’s 4th LP.
The Stookey reference is obvious in “Lovin’ Our Friends,” & “Second Hand.” Both have a rich folky blend with a sophisticated thread. Jeremy would’ve fit in the early 60s folk world of Greenwich Village. He doesn’t sound like a radical folky (Phil Ochs), but his storytelling charm has modest imaginative lyrics like the late David Blue with touches of Eric Andersen & early John Sebastian.
“Sweet June,” may be a little too folky in a vintage sense for today’s ears but there’s always aficionados who’d enjoy this musical endeavor. Jeremy has an expertise that allows his material to be restorative & appealing to many. “It Happened So Fast,” has more punchy swoops & the female vocals accentuate nicely.
There isn’t much intenseness of a Bob Dylan, John Prine, or Nick Drake kind. However, they have a gracefulness that’s not easy to inject into compositions without sincerity & poignancy. Jeremy has this.
His Barry McGuire “gruff” seeps in a bit on the rockier “Constant,” “Better You Know” & the excellent “The Haunting.” Songs McGuire could’ve covered. Mr. Dion isn’t doing anything new but in today’s environment, he serves a purpose with his lighthearted, instinctive sense of phrasing & good-natured melodies. He’s entertaining & a well-seasoned artist with exceptional songs.
Highlights – “All I See Is You,” “Bend In the Middle,” “Lovin’ Our Friends,” “Second Hand,” “It Happened So Fast,” “Avery,” “Constant,” “Better You Know,” “You & I” & “The Haunting.”
Musicians – Jeremy (vocals/acoustic guitar/bgv), John McVey, Greg Schochet, Taylor Sims (guitars), Christian Teele (drums/percussion), Eric Moon (keys), Daniel Herman (piano), Courtlyn Carpenter (cello), Beth Wilberger & Enion Pelta-Tiller (fiddles), Peter Sharpe (mandolin) & Kate Farmer (bgv).
Color image: Beaton Photography. CD @ https://www.jeremydion.com/
Video Premiere: Jeremy Dion “Bend in the Middle”
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