Women & Country [Import]

I had no intention of purchasing a second Jakob Dylan album after my disappointment with his first solo release in 2008 entitled 'Seeing Things'. That release I had purchased out of curiosity as Jakob is the son of the greatest recording artist of the 20th centaury. I had at the time expected, quite wrongly, a hint of Bob Dylan's style and more so a touch of his distinctive vocals and found neither on an album that failed to inspire. However lately Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2 had featured Jakob's current release 'Women & Country' as his record of the week and I must say what I heard prompted me to give him a second chance. Well I am thoroughly glad that I did.

Women & Country (Produced by T Bone Burnett) is a wonderfully mature and relaxing album of a folk / country mix (Americana for those who like labels and compartments) which is inclined to put me in mind of artists such as Slaid Cleves / Kevin Welch and Robert Earl Keen. His song writing is excellent, something I had failed to pick up on with his first release probably simply because the melodies didn't immediately grab me. His song writing ability would appear to be something he has inherited from his famous father; however what he hasn't inherited from Bob is his voice. Jakob is much more of a true singer than Bob ever was, and I will readily say this even though I am a massive Bob Dylan fan.

I have been listening to this CD now for a few days and it has really grown on me. All 11 tracks are strong, although as with any recording, some get under your skin more than others. The beautiful love song 'Truth For A Truth' has a superb hook line which just sucks you in, and it has been this song which I have heard played most often on radio. 'They've Trapped Me Boys' is equally brilliant with its slow musical build up from a simple rhythm played on an acoustic mandolin. 'Nothing But The Whole Wide World' is another great song and a great opener to the CD. 'Lend A Hand' opens with a dirty New Orleans jazz/blues feel. I could go through all the tracks and bore you, so I will simply say that they are all excellent.

There are some nice backing female vocals on several songs that had me thinking of Emmylou Harris. These are provided by a lady called Kelly Hogan. I don't know if she is a solo artist in her own right but she should be if what I have heard is anything to go by. Her voice adds the right touch to the overall sound.

Jakob has had a huge mountain to climb to get out of his father's shadow, and I can see why he initially immersed himself in a group (The Wallflowers, whom I should investigate) before striking out as a solo artist. If he is able to maintain the standards of both song writing and melody that he das displayed on `Women & Country', I would say that he has successfully climbed that mountain, although its shadow will always be present.

First off - why albums are released at different times around the world is a source of great frustration to me. The US had the initial release on the 6th, Europe on the 19th and Japan [rest of the world] when someone can be bothered. Fortunately import versions are available to anyone prepared to pay a little extra. And first off this album is worth paying a little extra for. The mix on the album and the overall sound is simply beautiful.

I read some criticism of this album complaining that Jakob and his vocals had been somehow, dumped into backing tracks and a different genre that was totally inappropriate. I just dont hear that, at all, the sound and the mix for me is almost perfect. Very sympathetic. I also dont think this a country recording at all, sure some songs have a slight country tinge, but I even have problems labelling this Americana. At any other point in time eg. 10 years ago this would be a rock album to everyone and it is too me.

Jakobs lyrics are interesting and his voice is great, the backing and playing is just top-notch. As a producer T-Bone Burnett does not have many peers, and it was inevitable that they would work again together considering the success they had with "Bringing Down The Horse". Its hard to pick out particular songs - the song "Lend a hand" sounds like it would not be out of place on a Tom Waits album, around the raindogs period, a great New Orleans/Jazzy feel to it. "Nothing but the whole wide world" - a great lilting ballad which has beautiful harmonies from Neko Case. Actually on most of the album the harmonies are great and give a very warm feel. The country-tinge continues on the gentle "down on our own shield". "We don't live here anymore" has a dreamy quality to it, the track "yonder come the blues" is very a understated lullaby, which even references pixie dust, singing about bad times following good with a world-weary inevitabilty. "Everybody's hurting" has lovely harmonies and talks about suffering in a rural setting, families unable to move but dreaming of a better life, possibly a commment on todays economy and related problems - it has a real folky/country feel to it really nice backing and fiddle playing. "Truth for truth" has a beautiful Chris Isaak type guitar backing. "They trapped us boys" has a strong banjo/mandolin sound. "Smile when you call me that" is a song after the breakdown of a relationship/marriage memorable lyrics to the fore - "I am down on my knees, when you wont have me back, can you at least smile when you call me that" - this for me is very remminiscent of a Springsteen sound, around greetings period but I cant remember which song it is. The final song gets back to a sound, again not out of place on a Waits tune, a jazzy dark sound and great lyrics.

Its a great album it suggests many other artists work, but it memorable in its own right and I am sure I will continue to enjoy it. If you are a Jakob fan, from the wallflowers period, or his solo work you will enjoy this. If you are a fan of mainstream US singersongwriter rock this should appeal to you, its a very mature sound. If you are here because you enjoy T-Bone Burnettes work he doesnt put a step out of place here. Yes, I recommend it without reservation. I have a feeling it will be making quite a few year end lists.

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Highlights -

Nothing but the whole wide world
Everybody's hurting
Smile when you call me that
Lend a hand

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Incidently check out the Rolling Stone magazine, they play 4 of the tracks live in the studio. Its Great stuff.

Delightful CD with not a bad track on it - from my point of view. Favourite tracks: 'down on our own shield' 'everybody's hurtin' 'truth for a truth' but seriously no bad songs. Reflective lyrics and tuneful backing. Atmospheric numbers such as 'we don't live here anymore' create a tingle factor. Do I sound as though I love this CD? - well, I do!