| John Southworth – Human Cry (2011) |
John Southworth – Human Cry
Location: Toronto, Montreal, Ontario, Canada
Release date: September 19, 2011
Genre: Alternative / Folk / Pop
Record Label: Sud de Valeur, Barnyard Records
Other record label: Folkwit Records (http://folkwit.com/archives/1322)
John Southworth‘s latest album Human Cry is delicate and understated, yet lyrically and musically brim full of colour and expression. A true songwriting talent!
Stagnant is certainly not a word that can be applied to UK born, Montreal based singer, John Southworth. He’s been writing songs for decades, constantly shifting his sound and forcing himself to move farther and farther away from his comfort zone. From avant guard poetic pop to jazz – all backed by theatrical performances and new identities – Southworth refuses to sacrifice vision for sales or stability.
His latest effort, Human Cry, is remarkably straightforward and that directness helps the songs hit harder. With the support of the The South Seas, Southworth rolls through twelve laid back, perfectly polished, piano/guitar gems that could have been unearthed from a time capsule.
From the opening moments of “You Led Me To Believe”, John triggers the listener’s emotions by offering an unclouded view to his heart, but more importantly, a chance for us to relate to his words as we look inside ourselves. Understated harmonies and bass thicken up the fragile, beautiful compositions when needed and subtle shifts in tempo (“Day of the Dead”, “Human Cry”) help push the record forward, but for the most part this record lets John sing over open arrangements, giving the listener the space to roam.
Much like the great sportswriters of the past (that are missing from today’s coverage that relies on pop culture jokes and brash, braggadocios claims to lure us in), Southworth is quite willing to let his songs speak for themselves. He refuses to use magic or fanfare to deliver his poetry, opting instead for a quiet confidence in his work. That may be a dated character trait lost on many, but it’s refreshing and something from which more artists could certainly benefit.
Tracklist:
01. You Lead Me To Believe 3:22
02. River Of Tears In Everyone 3:48
03. Sadness Came Back 4:16
04. Day Of The Dead 4:13
05. Tender Mountain Eyes 5:37
06. Human Cry 5:02
07. The Kiss 8:35
08. Heaven Was Always Here 4:02
09. So Glad It’s Finally Spring 3:43
10. You Look So Good This Evening 4:18
11. Precious Metals 4:20
12. I’m A Bell 5:03
Website: http://www.johnsouthworth.ca/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/johnsouthworth
Barnyard Records: http://www.barnyardrecords.com/cd%20john%20southworth.html
Credits:
Jean Martin - drums
Justin Haynes - guitar, piano
Andrew Downing - bass
Felicity Williams - voice
Daniela Gesundheit - voice
John Southworth - voice, guitar, piano
Human Cry´s supremely crafted, elegiac songs offer rare and intimate illuminations, artfully performed with seasoned precision and grace.
"Wonderful, sylvan, sprightly, uber-bolangaire, perculiar and smart." Guy Maddin, Canadian film maker John Southworth always sounds just like John Southworth, no matter how many different musical styles hes´s explored over the years" - Stewart Mason, Amplifier Magazine
John Southworth (born on April 22, 1972 in Cuckfield, West Sussex, England) photo by Alisdair Jones
