Jeffrey Martin Alive July 25, 2025
Portland, Oregon-based folk singer-songwriter Jeffrey Martin recently released his first live album, Alive July 25, 2025, which was recorded and mixed by Sam Weber, who also plays on the album, and mastered by Jon Neufeld.
Talking about the album, Martin says, “The live show will always mean more to me than any studio recordings. Every night is different and will never exist again. The character of the room, the energy of the crowd, the moments between songs, wherever my mind and heart and voice are at – it all mixes together to create something new and ephemeral each night. I wanted to capture a single show, no edits, no reordering of songs, no compiling of takes from multiple shows. A record of a night in a documentary sense. I was so lucky to have Sam Weber join me on guitar. The best recordings are the ones where you forget you are recording, and Sam’s brilliant playing made me forget entirely.”
Entry points on Alive July 25, 2025 include “I Know What I Know,” with its deep, thick guitar intro, an intro that establishes the slightly melancholic, introspective feel of the song. Martin’s voice, at times deliciously scratchy with small tonal cracks, imbues the lyrics with gravity.
A personal favorite because of its gentle flow, “Quiet Man” finds Martin lowering his vocal tone, making it rounder and more resonant. When he elevates it, adding intensity, it’s a voice vaguely reminiscent of Arlo Guthrie. The interplay between the guitars on this track adds another dimension to the melody.
On “Galveston,” a poignant song about traveling to the island city on the Gulf Coast of Texas, offers a wistful, drifting melody. There’s a tenderness to Martin’s voice that reveals authentic emotions, including oft-reflected-upon memories that have taken on sentimental value.
“1519” narrates the tale of a young man who, although destined to be a farmer, ends up joining Hernan Cortes on his expedition. Martin is a grand storyteller, at once vividly poetic and compelling.
Martin’s cover of Neil Young’s “Out On The Weekend” features wonderfully high-pitched vocals, as well as dollops of vocal harmonies. The feel and mood of the song establish a musing aura that touches the hearts of listeners because of its sensitivity and veracity.
Martin’s verbal intros to some of the songs are quite interesting, at times humorous, and always supplement listeners’ enjoyment.
A mellow album, Alive July 25, 2025 furnishes a subtle, elusive glow that’s not only alluring but evokes profound emotions.
Find more details here: http://www.jeffreymartinmusic.com
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Interview: Jeffrey Martin: Emissary of Heartrending Songs
Jeffrey Martin On Tour
March 6 – Port Fairy, AUS | Port Fairy Folk Festival
March 11 – St. Kilda, AUS | George Lane
March 12 – Northcote, AUS | Wesley Anne
March 13 – Kaloomba, AUS | Blue Mountains Music Festival
March 13 – Marrickville, AUS | The Factory Floor
April 15 – Minneapolis, MN | Ice House*
April 16 – Ferryville, WI | Aendre Arthouse*
April 17 – Green Bay, WI | Three Three Five*
April 18 – Green Bay, WI | Three Three Five*
April 19 – Milwaukee, WI | Cactus Club
April 21 – Evanston, IL | SPACE*
April 22 – Ann Arbor, MI | The Ark*
April 23 – Columbus, OH | Rumba Cafe*
April 24 – Newport, KY | The Southgate House Revival^
April 25 – Louisville, KY | The Monarch^
April 27 – Chattanooga, TN | Cherry Street Tavern^
April 28 – Decatur, GA | Eddie’s Attic^
April 30 – Nashville, TN | The Basement^
May 1 – St. Louis, MO | Off Broadway^
May 2 – Kansas City, MO | Knuckleheads^
*w/ special guest Niall Connolly
^w/ special guest H. Pruz