Few Of Days & Full Of Trouble
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
Listen to Few Of Days & Full Of Trouble
The debut LP from the Erie, PA artist Josh Travis, these country/folk tunes welcome Sam Krahe (electric guitar), Dan Cephas (drums), Kasi Borden (bass) and plenty of guests to the honky-tonkin’ and cautious climate.
The crisp country-rock of “Secondhand Smoke” opens the listen with Read Connolly’s warm pedal steel adding much beauty, and “The Only Good In Me” follows with a rugged spirit that spotlights Travis’ smooth pipes and the spirited electric guitar.
Halfway through, the heartfelt “Change Of Heart” is an intimate moment that’s as emotive as it is poetic, while the frisky “Hot Week In August” is dance floor ready with its infectious melody and rugged rock’n’roll flavor.
Close to the end, the eloquent “Opequon” is a bare moment that makes great use of Charlie Barath’s harmonica and Rachel Travis’ soothing backing vocals, and the title track exits with a shuffling pace via Ray Bruckman’s fiddle acrobatics and plenty of rootsy flavor.
A diverse and accomplished first album, Travis also embraces folk and bluegrass ideas, and is sure to make an impression for anyone who gravitates towards names like Jason Isbell or Justin Townes Earle.
Travels well with: Joey Frendo- Bound For Heartache; JD Darling- Looking Forward Thinking Back