‘Stripping Cane’ is Jeffrey’s follow up to his critically acclaimed debut ‘Miles from the Lightning’, and while there are obvious similarities the new disc is more musically diverse and with a sensible 12 tracks (45 mins), it’s an easier and more enjoyable listen than its predecessor.
Although resident in Massachusetts, his style has a definite Texan feel, and his stripped down approach makes this an album of evocative, acoustic Americana with a real sense of time and location.
Whilst the arrangements are open and relatively spare, there are excellent instrumental textures throughout – Jeffrey provides most of the guitar work, and the guests include Kris Delmhorst, Kevin Barry & Peter Mulvey, but most of the subtle touches come from multi-instrumentalist and producer David Goodrich who adds a range of guitars, banjo, mandolin and more that give the arrangements depth and add to the atmosphere created by the lyrics.
Essentially this is a collection of stories – the open country, small towns, roads and the lives of the people who make these places their homes – ‘Doubletree’ tells of two friends and a tragic accident, ‘Stripping Cane’ is a beautifully poetic song of a relationship going wrong, and ‘Pearl Handed Pistol’ name checks Custer, Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull and brings a little relief into what is a fairly lyrically and stylistically downbeat collection.
‘Stripping Cane’ is a striking disc and has 12 intelligent, literate and delicate songs filled with atmosphere and emotion.

£13.49