Full Review

Jory Nash – Folk Jazz Blues and Soul

Toronto based independent singer/songwriter Jory Nash was the first artist to ever send a disc to us for consideration (sometime in early 1999), and we’re proud to have carried that album and each subsequent release; this is Jory’s fifth solo album and it’s another excellent acoustic singer/songwriter disc.

While the title may suggest that the disc should be stylistically wildly varied, this isn’t quite the case; there is a wide variety of influences on display here (in fact he sells himself short, and should have added ‘country’ to the title!), but the constants of his smooth vocals and finger-style guitar draws everything together and the 12 songs sequence flows beautifully.

The past 9 years or so of touring and playing shows all over North America have helped develop him into an excellent writer and there are some great standout tracks here, in particular ‘King of the Dust’ feels just right with the lyrics and playing evoking the end of the Klondike Gold Rush perfectly. Other notable tracks include the acoustic opener ‘The Summer Hunter’ and a reading of Guthrie’s ‘So Long It’s Been Good to Know Yuh.

He is joined by a range of musicians providing some strong instrumentation including piano, cello, lap steel, bass and fiddle, there are some memorable backing vocals on various tracks, most notably from fellow Canadian Lori Cullen.

Liner notes for each song add to the complete package, with the extra background information helping to bring the songs closer to the listener.

Jory is an excellent singer/songwriter and while he has a strong reputation in Canada, he certainly deserves to be heard be a wider range of people – recommended.