“Southern Son, So Far”
By Blake Bunch
Singer/Songwriter Justin Burke has manned numerous musical projects before, namely Jupiter’s Garden, as well as several Rock/Funk bands consisting of close friends, but his new album harkens back to an old sound. Familiar originals are given new life after years of performance refinement, and new tunes invite fans back to the Folk/Blues roots which have helped identify Burke as an island icon.
While playing with Jupiter’s Garden and occasionally with local band Dangermuffin, Burke’s performances have ultimately led to funky renditions of Beatles tunes, as well as other classic covers. In his inaugural album “Southern Son, So Far,” Burke opens the floor to island friends and musicians, all of whom contribute to this grassroots album of folk lyrics, bluegrass breakdowns and organic mixture of Southern music.
Although it seems that the use of so many different instruments throughout the album would set the stage for more elaborate compositions, the songs are surprisingly concise and to the point. Whether it involves keys or trumpet, banjo or mandolin, electric guitar or acoustic, Burke and his plethora of musicians create an atmosphere that is very relaxed, specific, and indefinably local.
Dan Lotti and Mike Sivilli of Dangermuffin are audibly visible throughout the album, with Lotti singing backing vocals and Sivilli lending some electric guitar solos on tracks like “In the Garden,” “Free Love,” and “I Know You Will.” Band of Horses front-man Ben Bridwell also throws in his range of vocals in “The Rescue.”
The majority of the songs feature melodic instrument accompaniments in an almost Southern ballad-type structure, though the album is also peppered with several rock tunes with classic electric guitar feedback and bluegrass progressions.
The content of Burke’s album should be familiar to anyone who has lived on the island, its overall style reminiscent of a combination of the Avett Brothers, Robert Johnson, Bob Dylan and The Band album “Basement Tapes.” His live sets are always extremely positive, and this mindset definitely translates into these well recorded studio tracks.
The subject matters of Justin’s songs are always soulful and optimistic, mainly dealing with the joys of living set to clean, emotive arrangements. On songs like “I Know You Will,” and “Turn This Thing Around,” Burke unleashes this Dixieland sentiment: “Take me back to the good old days, when I was young, I know you will.”
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