Around the turn of the century, bored with nu-metal, I got massively into singer/songwriter stuff. Largely because I loved Ryan Adams’ “Gold” album more than was sensible; but just after that, Dan Bern released “New American Language,” and he became my hero.
The mention of Bern comes because he is one of a couple of artists who mentored Jack Garton, and listening to the opening track here, “Watching Kurosawa,” it’s not hard to spot the same quirky use of language.
Never mind the mentor, though; Garton is clearly born to do this, and on his own terms. “Coming Back To Life Again,” with its accordion, has the feel of a ceilidh, and he’s really quite special at the type of timeless sounds he creates on songs like “Good Times.”
He changes tempo on “Christiana” and its sparse pop, and “Berkeley In The Springtime” is choc-a-bloc with warmth. More folk than Americana, a fact that “Don’t Feel At Home” underlines, before the guitar solo surprises, but there’s no doubt about the best thing here. “Hey Grandad” channels the Stray Cats’ rockabilly.
There’s time for a Latin instrumental, with “Stovetop Coffee,” but the last one, the astonishing “The Field,” is 13 minutes of ambition and skill.
His third solo album, “Original Skin,” is perhaps his truest voice, and it shows him to be a real Jack of all trades.
Rating: 8/10
