Late Style
Omnivore, 2021
8/10
The artist formerly known as John Wesley Harding, under the name Wesley Stace, which is actually his given name, the best selling author, university educator and veteran musician finds himself in the company of Prairie Price, Nora O’Connor, and Kelly Hogan, among others, on this very diverse and sophisticated effort.
“Where The Bands Are” starts the listen with playful keys, quick drumming and subtle brass as Stace’s smooth pipes guide the timeless jazz climate, and “Everything All The Time” follows with soulful backing vocals from O’Connor and Hogan alongside agile keys in the very melodic delivery that touches on Latin ideas.
The quality of songwriting continues to the bouncy, upbeat and charming retro-rock of “Come Back Yesterday”, while “All The Yous” moves cautiously amid the poetic singing and dreamy backing vocals. “Well Done Everyone”, another superb tune, then will likely get you on the dance floor with its infectious energy and well timed back up singers.
“Just Sayin’” arrives near the end, and places Stace’s fluid pipes in the company of strategic bass and warm keys, and “How You All Work Me” exits the listen with spirited organ complementing the meticulously textured finish.
A record that was pieced together remotely due to Covid, Stace teamed up with collaborator David Nagler, and even after 30+ years of releasing music, he’s clearly nowhere near running out of ideas, as evidenced by this exploratory, cultured body of work that’s quite jazz focused.
Travels well with: Ray Davies- Our Country: Americana Act II; Great Peacock- Forever Worse Better