Jeremy Dion – Another Perfect Day
It seems to be the season of superior folk albums. This one is the third I’ve heard that I actually liked. No politics, no controversies, no anxiety — just unobtrusive melodies, bright vocals & well-produced clever stories that children can appreciate as well as adults & folk enthusiasts. When the late Pete Seeger focused on children’s songs, he often was an engaging, entertaining & charged singer. Tom Chapin & Peter Himmelman did well, too.
For those who dismiss this as simplistic, novelty-oriented music, use your child’s mind instead of your adult-filled, bitter posturing mentality. These are charming. There are 10 reasons for this collection of Another Perfect Day (Dropped August 29/Independent/27:44) recorded in Colorado by Jeremy Dion (guitar/vocals/keys/MIDI).
It has a mixture of qualities that a legendary lyricist like Oscar Hammerstein would appreciate. The title track “Another Perfect Day” is encouraging, optimistic, with tones similar to singer-songwriter Al Stewart (“Genie On a Tabletop”). It’s an adventurous album filled with varied musical approaches, good advice & doesn’t sound composed out of silliness or double meanings.
“Workin’ My Numbers” is as playful as the most delightful Beatles composition. It’s not only a song being sung, it teaches; it’s entertaining & has a melody that pushes one to want to sing along. Why not? Singing is fun, it comes from the spirit & at times, from a place where there’s a pull on the childhood memory line. Again, the song rings of the cleverness of lyricist Hammerstein, if not Hoagy Carmichael.
Singing together is the best form of camaraderie. The first introduction to friendship that children are exposed to. It starts with a mother singing a lullaby. I’ve often sung to myself when in a worrisome predicament. It’s what one of the soldiers in Predator did in that film. He sang to himself. For courage? To relieve fear & anxiety? To focus on what had to be done. It’s worked for me; it provides an inner strength. If you want to defeat your enemy, sing his song.
We don’t always see or understand what makes a child or anyone afraid, doubtful, or second-guessing. It’s not always monsters, but a test at school. Going somewhere alone for the first time. Seated in a dentist’s chair. I’d sing to myself. The album’s subtitle is “folk therapy for late bloomers” – it’s a showcase that promotes mental health on a children’s album. It’s a concept that many could learn something from. It may just help someone.
Highlights – “Looking Forward,” “Kind-Hearted Love,” “Another Perfect Day,” “I’m Feeling Good,” “Workin’ My Numbers,” & “Here We Are Together.”
Musicians – Kyle Donovan (bass/bgv), Daniel Herman (piano), Christian Teele (percussion), & Beth Wilberger (fiddle). The Kids Choir: Tischer Bauer, Louisa Hitchcock, Zurna Mile, Andora Munger, Ellery Spiewak, Georgie Glaws & Blythe Turano.
B&W image courtesy of Jeremy’s Bandcamp site. CD @ Bandcamp & https://jeremydion.hearnow.com/another-perfect-day-3#nt_settings & https://www.jeremydion.com/
LP Premiere: https://americanahighways.org/?s=Jeremy+Dion+%E2%80%93+Another+Perfect+Day+