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September 2007 Country

Written by Randy Walden

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5.0

out of 10

Average user rating: 8.0
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Artist: J. Blackwell
Title: Like a Place I Haven't Seen
Label: Dreamfeather Music

J. Blackwell’s debut album, Like a Place I Haven’t Seen, is poised like a wave of mellow country rock that threatens to crest, but never quite breaks.

Blackwell, who co-produced the album and wrote or co-wrote all of the tracks, has a rich voice with a cry in the holler; if it lacks resonance on the money notes, he still manages to hold his own. And he’s backed by some solid musicians, particularly Ferrell Stowe on Dobro, Joshua Michaels on steel guitar, and Patton Wages picking the banjo.

Except when Blackwell reaches too much, the tracks are agreeable enough musically: a grab bag of Southern rock, bluegrass, ballads and folk. But there’s just not much here to truly surprise or delight.

Lyrically, Blackwell too easily falls into cliché and facile rhyme. The ballad Burning resounds with banality: “When you play with fire, you’re bound to get burned / . . . Yes, I’m burning, but man it feels cold.” With a tune custom made for a Pepsi commercial, This Thing Called Love chimes with the insight, “And so the story goes / but how it ends no one really knows.”

A couple of tunes are downright mawkish, like The Only Angel in Black, an over-the-top tribute to Johnny Cash, or When the Orders Come Down, an elegy for the fallen soldier that prays, “Please bless the men of Company C.”

A few tracks fare better, like the title cut, which moves along with Ed Smoak’s solid guitar, or Good Morning Sunshine, a fun bit of bluegrass with Wages’ banjo and Beth Lawrence on stand-up bass.

Great stars have started with less. Let’s hope Blackwell digs a bit deeper next time around.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it!", Tuesday, 29 January 2008

Written by J. Blackwell

To everyone (Fans, friends, newcomers, and music-reviewer.com):
I typically don't read reviews, but was forwarded this one by one of my Artist Relations staff. That being said, Mr. Walden, Thank you. Your job is not an easy one.

A song (or an album project) is very much like giving birth to a child. You obviously are going to love your child no matter what, but you will also know after raising a child what their weakness' and strengths are. Although, I do not agree in part with Mr. Walden's opinion, I do agree that everything I do has room for improvement. Everything! There are so many variables in recording an album that often times the very heart of the project or maybe just one song will be lost. Typically (for Indie Artists), it's the financial means that determines the quality of a project. For example, a demo vs. a completely polished studio cut. There is no comparison.

Regardless, I am proud of this album. More so for the "healing" that it gave me after my father's death. I love each and every fan out there for their support. I respect every person in this business...it is not an easy one to survive in. I, on the other hand, am just trying to survive in life, and if it wasn't for my guitar and some scribbled thoughts on napkins, envelopes, or whatever was available at the time, I wouldn't be here today. I am thankful.

For those of you who are questioning this album and whether or not to buy it, BUY IT! If you don't like it in the end, then send the cd, proof of purchase, and your reasoning for not liking it to Post Office Box 1021 Gordonsville, Virginia 22942 and I will personally refund you the cost of the CD less shipping and handling.

Until then, I'm digging into my next project and on the road in 2008!!!

J. Blackwell
www.jayblackwell.com

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