Reverend James Elmore Jenkins, a musician and folk artist based in the Carolinas, has recently released “Bound For Glory“, a well-written record. Each music has such a delightful aura about it, and the compositions are outstanding, conveyed with such simplicity. The record, which is so spectacular, also has some unexpected surprises. The sound is mostly folk-influenced, with hints of classic blues thrown in for good measure. The sound is incredibly realistic and fresh, and it’s something we’d absolutely listen to on endless car rides.
“Lead Me On,” the album’s first track, is a charming blues song. The song begins with a gorgeous guitar melodic rhythm that perfectly establishes the tone. The tune really takes off as the vocals come in, and it stays with you all the way to the end. The vocal harmonies are fantastic, and as the song progresses, we get to hear a stunning harmonica solo. The opening track establishes the tone and sets the standard for the next nine tracks. My favourite song on the record is “I Will Go“. The writing is so warm and inviting that it transports you to another reality. We get to listen to such beautiful chord variations. The interlude is the part you should really admire. The vocal performance elicits strong emotions and has a profound effect on the listener. The arrangement is uncomplicated and mostly reliant on the guitar. This is the song I’m going to stick to for a long time.
The next tune, “Unforgiving Land“, is a lovely folk melody. The lyrics and tune are so well-matched. The music represents the emotional depth of the words, which has such a strong impact on us. The composition appears modest, but I would describe it as a well-knit song with a lot of effort put into the lyrics, the music, and then the arrangement, all of which make you feel exactly how it was meant. With “If You Want Me To“, the mood brightens. The arrangement’s whimsical nature instantly improves the mood. The songwriting will melt your heart and is maintained so vibrant that it might easily turn gloomy, yet the cheerful approach did the tune justice in making it welcoming and joyful. “Via Negative” is an instrumental with a very beautiful tune that flawlessly transitions between guitar and piano. The music may be rather dramatic at times, giving you a wide range of colours. Overall, the piece relaxes us a little and serves as a soothing respite, which is carefully put within the record.
The following tune, “Walkin’ In The Spirit“, adds to our pleasure of the album. The colour darkens a little more. We get an unusual rhythmic blend of bongos and drums that seems like a lot of fun. The guitar lines are a perfect match for the vocal melody. Moving on, in “The Good Shepherd“, we hear a clean serene tune that is so wonderfully accompanied by the guitars and accordion that it truly gets you in the core. The song’s movement is kept incredibly natural, which makes you appreciate the realism of the performance even more. The following tune, “Ramblin’ Hobo“, takes us into some unusual territory. The placement of the instruments in the mix is intriguing and unexpected. I’m not sure whether it succeeded, but for the time being it was a little unsettling and distracted me from listening to the vocals and enjoying the words, which are actually quite descriptive and tell a wonderful narrative.
The next tune, “Woman“, transports us to an another world that is both interesting and unexpected. I wasn’t expecting this album to have such a sounding music. However, this broadens the expectations and attracts listeners with diverse tastes. Another component of the music that has really worked for me in the track is the writing. Finally, the record comes to a close with the emotional tune “Some Sweet Day“, which truly sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song is extremely well-written, with a strong sense of hope and optimism. The cello and string arrangements really enhance the ambiance, skillfully setting you up. The tack truly relaxes you out, and it’s a stunning way to end the album.
Enjoy Listening to “Bound For Glory” by Reverend James Elmore Jenkins on Spotify!
Check out our playlists here!
Discovered via http://musosoup.com
