James Yorkston and the Athletes 'Just Beyond The River'
James Yorkston and the Athletes
Just Beyond The River
This is Scottish singer/songwriter James Yorkston's second album (2004) following the critically acclaimed debut Moving up Country (2002). It is delicate rootsy folk, somewhat in the same vein as Nick Drake with accoustic guitar picking, although with Yorkston melancholic times & fragile vocals are not necessarily the main focus. However, delicate moments in relationships, contemplative walks at night caressed by his tender vocal stylings rivet the listener. All the while his backing band The Athletes gracefully fill out the sound with accordian, banjo, percussion, violin, et.al. Further, electronic artist Kieran Hebden of Four Tet works the production to near perfection with spot-on atmospherics cleverly maintaining a veracious & genuine belief in the music found within.
The Athletes are:
Faisal - Percussion/Harmonium/Lap Steel
Reuben - Accordion/Concertina/Piano
Holly - Small Pipes/Whistle
Doogie - Double Bass/banjo/Bouzouki
Wendy - Violin
Jon - Violin
James has other guests that also play on his records.
I hope that this review hasn't made this release sound really drab & boring? Sure it's rather quiet music, but it's tenderness & overall warmth are apparent. Repeated listens are welcome as one seems to get closer to the songs. It's possibly that this album sometime into the future will be considered a classic; let's hope though not 'undervalued'.
http://tinyurl.com/nuguz
Get this & all other Yorkston releases HERE.
posted by MoogPower @ Thursday, July 27, 2006
5 comments
5 Comments:
Track List:
1 Heron (5:04)
2 Shipwreckers (3:03)
3 Surf Song (4:40)
4 Hermitage (4:40)
5 Hotel (6:25)
6 This Time Tomorrow (2:08)
7 Banjo #1 (3:37)
8 We Flew Blind (4:26)
9 Edward (Traditional) (6:09)
10 Banjo #2 (3:46)
11 The Snow It Melts the Soonest (Traditional) (5:43)
I will check it out, your description sounds similar to a guy I'm a big fan of: Peter Bruntnell, whose album 'Normal For Bridgwater' is in my all time top ten.
More Oriental rock and roll on my blog this week, if you happen to pass that way..
G'day Captain,
I recall Peter Bruntnell who's English, but sounds a bit like Son Volt. Unfortunately, I don't have any of his albums, nor can I say whether he or the band are still in action; it's been a few yrs since I've heard anything?
As for James Yorkston if you dig that kind of music you should like this, but it is much more gentle. Whilst that is more country this is more folk to use some 'old' music terminology. :)
I still think is more like Nick Drake than anything else, but then again original enough to stand alone without continual Drake references.
Will stop by yours to see what's been doing - thanks for the heads-up.
Cheers!
If you leave me your email I'll point you in the direction of Peter B.. :)
I saw in NYC last year and it was an excellent gig. The guy had a nice voice, and is funny between his quite serious songs.
Post a Comment
<< Home