Acoustic

Jon Redfern

Jon Redfern is building a reputation as a songwriter of sophistication. The fruits of his labour have been taken on the road and it is evident his music works on stage. Now he's been back in the studio to re-record four tracks from his debut and an equal number of new tracks. All this is presented live in the aptly named 'Acoustic'.

I was a little concerned when I heard of Jon's new stripped down direction. On his first offering 'May Be Some Time' the studio seemed to be gainfully employed as an extra instrument. I pictured Jon spending hours hunched over a mixing desk deftly constructing his sonic soundscapes with a myriad of options at his fingertips.

Immediately though I was taken aback by 'Acoustic'. The established songs must be built on steady foundations as they transfer with ease to this minimal setting. My favourite fragile moment from his debut 'I love The Sun' is given a new lease of life and the two part 'Give Away...' fizzles with emotion.

From the new batch 'Part Of You' and 'Glad' veer wildly into Neil Young territory. Jon's voice flutters skyward and the strings are hit a touch harder with abandonment. A plangent harmonica secures the ineradicable comparison but we're not talking shallow plagiarism. Redfern's versatile studio team of Joss Clapp and Patrick Durkan are worth holding on to. The gratifying plummy resonance of the guitars and wurlitzer piano perfectly underpinning the lovelorn lyricism.

If this is a new direction it should pay dividends. As much as music fans admire a maverick some can be fickle, liking to know what category of music they are listening to. Working with a restricted palette Jon has come up with a more cohesive sound. Squeezing every ounce of his undiluted song craft into these tracks he gives us hooks and harmonies that hang around. It provides an excellent boarding point for beginners, a must have for fans and a tantalizing taste of future treats.

David Kushar