Jeff Black - Tin Lily

Whenever I get a new CD to listen to, the first thing I do is open up the liner notes and take a look at the list of musicians that people the songs I’m about to put to my ear. Imagine how impressed I was to see names like Sam Bush, Kenny Vaughn, and Will Kimbrough, as well as many other members of Nashville royalty. I had known Jeff, a Kansas City native, from running into him at various open mics and local performances from years past and had always thought him to be impressive, but this CD is near perfect - countrified, folkified, funkified, bluesified singer-songwriter music. Black has produced this LP himself, which usually means trouble for the solo artist - but not in this case. Black has chosen not to “over-produce” his music, deciding instead to go with spare arrangements, using just enough instrumentation to augment his incredible songwriting. The star of these sessions is the songs, which is something we should all respect.

The opening song, “Easy On Me”, sets a tone that seems to echo thru all the rest of the CD. Nice harmonica, acoustic guitar, rhythm, and vocals on this one. The song harkens back to the strong early work of Tom Waits.

“Nineteen” is an homage to the clean, fresh start we all want to make sometimes, to escape our previous mistakes, “I want to tear down this shrine to everything that I’ve done wrong.”

“Libertine” knocks the listener back ass-first into E-Street Shuffle-era Springsteen, while songs like “Free At Last”, “Closer”, “All Days Shine”, and “Heaven Now” sparkle like the gems that they are - beautifully unique, a wonderful combination the likes of Paul Simon, Dr. John, James Taylor, Southside Johnny, Robert Cray, Ray Charles, and Michael Penn.

“These Days” is easily my favorite track on the disc, whispering sweet, introspective thoughts into my ear while making my toes tap earnestly. It’s both mournful and hopeful. “How Long” is a tasty combination of thoughtful social commentary crossed with neo-gospel ballad that just makes the heart cry and the spirit soar.

“A Better Way “…sometimes my light is shining so brightly, you have to turn away..” This song ends the CD with a flourish and a big ol’ smile.

Reviewed by and © Diana (Vaguememory)

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