Jefferson Ross – Backstage Balladeer
This new set has Mr. Ross on all instruments. Jefferson is not a new artist; he’s been around the barn a few times & should be on a major label by now. But that’s an editorial that’ll take pages. So, we’ll keep moving forward with his new music on his self-produced 14-track Backstage Balladeer (Drops March 28/Independent/59:06). The 6-panel CD package is beautifully designed though a set of lyrics would’ve been a nice touch – especially for “Serpent” — Ross’ songs are quite interesting.
The color images & corresponding quotes on the panels are representative of Jefferson’s song themes. Many hit upon hefty topics: life, death, faith, doubt & making sense of his homeland – the American South. A musician friend of mine once described to me the spiritual feeling he got as he played his guitar. The being one with fingers, strings & singing…by himself. He said it’s a personal experience that needs to be experienced. He said you could see it in a live performance by John Fahey when he played “Poor Boys Long Way From Home.” Jefferson Ross understands the depth of music.
John Prine started his label (Oh Boy) to get his music released, Joni Mitchell went to Hear Music & Tom Waits went to an independent label. It’s either the majors don’t know how to market the artist, or these mavericks need the creative latitude to be free. I stopped wondering why Mr. Ross was still independent.
Not everyone is Elvis, Bob Dylan, Neil Young or Guy Clark. But they’re out there. This showcase is recorded pristinely & Ross plays all instruments. An endeavor that became popular after Paul McCartney’s first solo LP & then with the late Emitt Rhodes.
While those 2 are closer to the pop tradition, Ross is more rural roots & Americana with a pop sound layered over the top like frosting. As close to political as Ross comes is on “Power” with tendrils in humor. Some songs are driven lightly by a religious, gospel & reggae thread. “Lion In Zion” would have perked Elvis Presley’s ears since it has a Jordanaires-type backup vocal & well-harvested percussion.
“Travel” is wonderful. In Mickey Newbury, Tim Buckley & Tim Hardin tradition. More progressive is the astonishing “Serpent” & the rollicking Little Feat-like “I Believe What I Think I Know.” Today Ross looks like a veteran balladeer, an old sage like Woody Guthrie, Willie Nelson, or George Jones. He doesn’t sound aged at all. Even the late Andy Griffith & Tennessee Ernie Ford would cover his songs.
I don’t think that’s silly, I think that’s cosmic.
Highlights – “Crooked Lines,” ”Power,” “Lion In Zion,” “Travel,” “Jerry Lee Lewis,” ”Brimstone Blues,” ”Serpent,” “I Believe What I Think I Know,” “The Blues & the Blood” & “Backstage Balladeer.”
Sepia image courtesy of Listening Room Network & Mr. Ross. CD at Bandcamp & https://jeffersonross.com/
Song Premiere: https://americanahighways.org/2025/02/10/song-premiere-jefferson-ross-power/