Jawbone Began as a collaboration between established solo artists Paddy Milner (keyboards, vocals) and Marcus Bonfanti (guitar, vocals) who were soon joined by the rhythm section of Rex Horan (bass, vocals) and Evan Jenkins (drums, percussion). These individual musicians have previously been touring and session musicians, playing with the likes of Tom Jones, Laura Marling, Ronnie Scott, Jools Holland, Chuck Berry, Jack Bruce, Van Morrison, and many more. They release their second album `Jawbone II` this month.
We are eased into this new offering with `Horizons of Hope` which is fairly dreamy and enjoys a rhythmic stop start texture. An enticing upbeat number that for me fell somewhere between Steely Dan and Supertramp. A guiding percussive beat and piano tones leads us through `The Tide` a quite reflective listen. Tides play a role in folklore and literature, representing transitions and change so maybe there`s a deeper meaning to this appealing listen.
`Miss Feelgood` has a bluesier more r&b rock like feel with some delightful tinkling piano keys and restrained guitar riffs and seems to refer to a party girl who`ll certainly brighten up your life, an upper for your downer. There`s an almost gospel feel to `Warm Up That Cup` that hints of unity and the hope there is in friendship or comradeship, an almost spiritual offering.
`The Last Ones` has a soulful nigh on root rocks vibe and brought to mind those captivating slow burns that The Band were adept at. We enjoy a blues rock composition with `Freedom at the Renaissance` which maybe touches on a revival of or renewed interest in something possibly a personal search for rebirth or resurrection.
`Saved By The Enemy` is deep and meditative and had me drifting off in thoughts and contemplations of my own, a superbly absorbing submission. I thought `Junkyard of Dreams` was a real mix match of styles with soul, rhythm and blues, rock and gospel all blended together to create a really enticing earworm, which even takes a brief time out in the last third.
The album closes out with `Paper Scissors Stone` which refers to the popular hand game, also known as “Rock Paper Scissors” or “Roshambo”. The game is used as a metaphor for this quite philosophical musing on a soured relationship and how the narrator feels as if he has been romantically played as in a game. The pain is almost tangible in the vocal delivery and accompanying musical accompaniment. A delightfully reflective piece to close out on.
Jawbone are comprised of seasoned and gifted musicians and Jawbone II is a delight. I now realise where Marcus Bonfanti is these days as I saw him supporting Robert Cray years ago and was blown away.
If Jawbone were American they`d be massive and lauded with bands such as The Black Crowes, The Band, Steeley Dan and Supertramp. We can only hope that our cousins across the water tune in and rightly bring this observation to fruition.
Rating 9/10
