John Calvin – Greener Fields & Fairer Seas
This artist has a nice original touch with his poetic lyrics & not so folk singer-songwriter approach. Calvin mixes his sometimes-gruff rock n’ roll vocal prowess of Huey Lewis along with the melodic vibrancy of the late Gerry Rafferty. Calvin (acoustic guitar/vocals) composes expressive songs with individuality with topics not often simply contemporary & commercial.
There are good arrangements set to these tunes, but Calvin doesn’t embellish them with any showboating swipe. The album is more about growing up than being the cock of the walk. The little threads of varied horns colorize the tunes with soft touches & haunting backup vocalists that draw out each heartfelt moment.
There are 13 Greener Fields & Fairer Seas (Drops Jan. 24/Independent/54:25) produced by Nate Campisi that are soundscapes of gospel mixed with bluesier tones & soulful hues. Calvin’s voice is appropriately applied with authenticity & he has a firm grip on his messaging. He projects each tale with sparkling instrumentation that carries an atmospheric earthy blend.
Recorded in Pittsburgh you could almost feel the same energy on this album that rocker Donnie Iris applies to his projects. “Ode to Denis Johnson” has that Iris tradition with its hot sax that puts the rock into the roll with its fuzzy gnarling lead guitar. Impressive. With “Hazel or Blue” Mr. Calvin out-Springsteen’s Bruce with this fine raw laid-back beautiful tune. John’s diversity shines as each song is delivered with spider-web delicacy. And everyone knows how strong a spider web is. Where John goes is a different path than Bruce.
Then John pulls back & doesn’t sing with Springsteen’s smoke. Instead, he slides into a more Waylon Jennings well-assured tone in “Our Souls Have Broken Chains.” This is Highwaymen’s quality. It has just enough drama, drive & outlaw enthusiasm. The songs are all disciplined, fluent & well-integrated into this set. John Calvin knows his craft & he has brought his tools. Now listen to his work.
Highlights – “Rest of My Roads,” “I Can Make Your Heart Mine,” “Gravity,” “She Might be a Song,” High Is My Favorite Height,” “Hazel or Blue” & “Our Souls Have Broken Chains.”
Musicians – Greg DeCorolis (guitar/bass/piano/Hammond organ/Rhodes/glockenspiel), Pat Coyle (drums/percussion/bgv), Kelsey Jumper (bgv), Robert Matchett (trombone), Eric DeFade (sax/flute/brass arrangements), David Bernabo (brass & string arrangements/Rhodes), James Hart & Pete Freeman (pedal steel), Nadine Sherman (cello), Jason Hohn (viola), Sandro Leal-Santiesteban & Ashley Freeburn (violins).
Color image courtesy of John Fusco. CD @ AppleMusic + Bandcamp & https://www.babyrobotmedia.com/john-calvin/
Song Premiere: https://americanahighways.org/2024/08/19/song-premiere-john-calvin-saint-innocent/
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