Kevin Jenkins Til The Story's Told Review by Gary Hill
This is the kind of album that should have pretty wide appeal. The mix of sounds is very mainstream and accessible. There is a modern vibe, yet just about everything here is rooted in classic sounds. This is just an enjoyable experience start to finish, really.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2015 Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Spirit in the Sky
This cover tune gives the song a more updated sound. I love the vocal arrangement. The vocals really do steal the show here.
Tangled Up Soul and blues blend on this slow moving number. It’s really got a classic sound and a classy arrangement.
Janie's Silver Lining With both folk and country in the mix, this is a mellower song. It doesn’t lose any intensity, though.
Why The mellowest song we’ve heard, this is evocative. It has some jazz and folk merging with blues.
Till the Story's Told An energized tune, there is quite a bit of gospel in the mix here. The harmonica definitely adds to the magic. The guitar solo is particularly noteworthy, too.
Kings of Everything I like this song a lot. It has a nice tempo and some definite jazzy elements. It really feels like something that would have been at home in the 1970s.
Before You Close Your Eyes This is a great bluesy, mellower number. It’s one of the best here, really.
County Line This is mellower, too, with a lot of funk and jazz built into it.
Crazy Weather Speaking of funk, this comes in with a real 1970s funk vibe. It’s a killer cut with both retro and modern sounds. The guitar solo on this is purely on fire. There is a backwards tracked bit at the end and then the vocal section that opened the album returns to bookmark it. It gives the effect of the disc starting all over again.
