One Last Thing
Bonfire, 2022
8/10
The Nashville residents the Jason Lee McKinney Band offer us 16 spiritual tunes here, where R&B, blues, folk, and country ideas are present and appreciated on this 11th studio album.
“Cross Over” gets the listen off to a rhythmic start, where McKinney’s soaring pipes and playful hand clapping won’t go unnoticed as backing vocals and bright brass make an indelible impression, and “Sing A Prayer” follows fully immersed in gospel ideas, but with the occasionally gritty guitar solo amid the thumping drums.
Deeper into the listen, “Paperback Novels” gets a bit darker in scope, where McKinney and company create a soulful version of their rootsy sound with plenty of melody, while “Sing On” presents a thick and rugged rocker that recruits well timed organ and buzzing guitars.
Further on the back half of the listen, “Song Of Songs” seems indebted to the ‘70s with its nostalgic, groove friendly climate that welcomes playful bass from Billy Wright, and “One Last Thing” lands a bit further with a breezy quality that also brings some rugged song craft into the charming Americana flavor.
There’s a large handful of musicians on hand for the affair, and McKinney even employs his family on backing vocals, too. All of the songs are originals that resonate with a very distinct and substantial version of the band’s roots rock formula, and will be sure to appeal to those who seek out religious themed music.
Travels well with: Suz Slezak- Our Wings May Be Featherless; Steve Dawson- at the bottom of a canyon in the branches of a tree