Southern Currency
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
An artist who certainly isn’t trying to hide his southern influences, Jefferson Ross brings along Thomm Jutz (guitars, harmony), Mike Compton (mandolin), Mark Fain (upright bass), Tammy Rogers- King (fiddle, harmony), and Lynn Williams (drums, percussion) to this cautious yet playful acoustic venture.
“Alabama Is A Winding Road” starts the listen with warm mandolin, soothing drums and Ross’ breezy, poetic pipes guiding the light Americana, and “Two Kentucky Brothers” follows with well timed fiddle and glowing vocals harmonies as bluegrass ideas enter the timeless climate.
Elsewhere, the sublime and expressive “Turquoise And Tangerine” glides with gorgeous dual gender vocals, while “You Can’t Go Home Again” is a more swift display of rural beauty alongside the plucked bass and cozy guitars. “High Times In The Low Country”, one of the album’s best, then brings smooth singing and eloquent melodies that you can’t help but admire.
Deeper still, “The Nashville Neon Waltz” will indeed get you on the dance floor with its gritty yet very tuneful approach, and the title track rounds out the listen with a frisky pulse and vivid storytelling populating the agile drumming, flowing vocal harmonies and string prowess.
The geography theme amid the song titles gives you a good idea of what you’re getting into here, as Ross and company bring a genuine spirit to the southern cultured songwriting.
Travels well with: Dan Weber- The Way The River Goes; Malcolm MacWatt- Settler