Thomm Jutz – Ring-a-Bellin’
Basically, a showcase of well-written, easy-listening songs, ballads, & stories & all performed with delicate tonality, beginning with “Too Many Walls,” in the tradition of songwriters like the late David Blue, Eric Andersen, Ron Cornelius & Tom Paxton. While Thomm isn’t pushing the folk angle thematically, he has a skill with creative lyrics & gentle melodies.
“Mourning Moon” is a melancholy piece with sensitivity woven through its instrumentation & Thomm’s vocal, though not a strong, powerful voice, has enough sincerity delivered to convince a listener. Followed by the surprise of “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Blues,” that doesn’t come off as much as a blues song as an oldie in the tradition of the late Leon Redbone, yet on a few lines Jutz perfectly resurrects the intonation & tone of Hoagy Carmichael. Great tune.
The LP was produced by Finn Goodwin-Bain (piano/guitar/harmony) & Thomm Jutz (guitar/banjo/vocals). It’s almost a double-album since there are 18-songs to Ring-a-Bellin’ (Drops April 3/Independent/69:54) recorded in Nashville, TN. Jutz seems to be able to transcend time with his songbook. “Sharpen Your Knife” ambles along with dabbling banjo notes. A style that was inherent in the mountain music of the 1920’s. It’s spare playing has a strong essence. Some songs aren’t meant to dance to, groove with, Jutz songs such as this allow the melody to seep into your ears as rain seeps into soil.
Getting far more upbeat, Jutz earns backup vocals on the playful “Knockin’ Around Knoxville,” an upbeat piece with tight playing & a well-enforced vocal. Sounds like a song left off the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack. Laid back & rural is “Stirring Up the Ghosts,” where Thomm manages to fill with good instrumentation & the necessary atmosphere & mood between the notes.
“Holy Mother Mountain” is a beauty. While the album won’t impress with sonics & effects, it will press some emotional buttons. This album is filled with many songs, but the good news is that few are filler. They’re all well-written & performed tunes worthy of playing through the night with eyes closed, a little hooch & sitting next to the one you love, by a warm fire.
Highlights – “Too Many Walls,” “Mourning Moon,” “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Blues,” “Sharpen Your Knife,” “Knockin’ Around Knoxville,” “Stirring Up the Ghosts,” “Rag & Bone,” “Holy Mother Mountain,” & “Bitter Change.”
Musicians – Tammy Rogers (fiddle/octave violin/harmony), Mark Fain & Michael Rinne (upright bass), Tim O’Brien (banjo/mandola/mandolin), Mike Compton (mandolin/harmony), Jeff Taylor (accordion), Laura Boosinger (clawhammer banjo), Adam Wright & Mando Saenz (harmonies).
Cover photography by Otis Gibbs. Color image courtesy of Thomm’s website. CD @ Apple & https://thommjutz.com/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Eric Brace & Thomm Jutz “Circle and Square”