Central Bridge
Bar None, 2023
9/10
The North Carolina singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Darren Jessee has an outstanding resume playing with Hotel Lights, Hiss Golden Messenger, Sharon Van Etten and Ben Folds Five, and his solo work is quite well executed, too, as further evidenced on the heartfelt folk-rock of Central Bridge.
“Love And Thanks” starts the listen with Jessee’s cozy pipes populating the warm strumming and agile drumming that’s quite dreamy, and “Will That Be Enough” follows with a stirring elegance of sweeping melodies and gentle song craft.
“Wild Ascending Blue” arrives in the middle, and flows with cascading beauty amid absorbing strings, while “Sunbeam” uses well timed sax from Stuart Bogie for the hushed and poetic album highlight.
“Mirage” and “I Live In Your Old Hometown” exit the listen, where the former emits hazy layers of rich song craft, and the latter is a very eloquent and moving display of Jessee’s sincere and timeless folky chops.
Jessee also employs Alan Weatherhead (keys, guitar) and Jay Brown (bass) for the very meticulous effort that continues to cement his place as one of the best songwriters today.
Travels well with: Corvair- Corvair; Darren Jessee- The Jane Room 217