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Jack Barksdale

Voices

Review by Gary Hill
This is the third set from Jack Barksdale that I’ve reviewed. It was also bit a shock coming into it. While his music has been roots based from the start, this one seems to land more along the lines of pure folk most of the time, but it also gets into more artsy territory. He even wanders around psychedelia at times. This is a definite change, but I really like it a lot. In fact, it might be my favorite release from him.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2026  Volume 1. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2026.

Track by Track Review
The Man, The Myth, The Legend

Starting acapella, this works out to a slow moving, almost proggy, psychedelically ringed mellow jam. It has some strings and more adding to the flavor.

Martyrs

An acoustic guitar based number, this has more of a roots vibe at play. While it’s not as intriguing as the opener was, there is a real genuine nature to this tune. The addition of Sarah Jarosz’ backing vocals really brings something special. There is a definite downhome country thing at play here.

Only Human

I dig the vibe of this almost jazzy kind of groove. This is a classy tune that reminds me a little of Paul Simon and Arlo Guthrie at the same time.

The Cost

I like this track a lot. It has a real artsy vibe to it. It’s slow moving, stripped back and moody. It’s also evocative and powerful.

A Funny Song

A slow and introspective piece, this is another with some definite artsy elements. It gets just a little more rocking further down the road, but never really rises up far.

Song of the Artist

This reminds me of the folk side of Led Zeppelin with some hints of the trippy psychedelic side of early Rolling Stones. This is artsy, psychedelic and so absolutely cool. It is without question one of my favorite tracks here. This is worth the price of admission all by itself.

21st Century Savior

Another folk styled tune, this brings a bit of a Bob Dylan vibe in some ways. I dig the roots music arrangement, and the whole thing has a great sound to it.

God is Dead I am Dead and So are You

Intricate folk music is on the menu here. This is artsy, creative and very classy. It works extremely well.

The End of Days

Despite the title, this feels a little light-hearted and playful. It has a roots-laden folk music basis. This has some great hooks and grooves built into it. The arrangement fills out nicely further down the road, to.

Entropy

Slow moving and stripped back, this feels introspective for the first movement. It turns out to more driving folk rocking music later. The comparison to the songwriting of Dylan are valid here, as well. It gets mellower again for the closing section.

Voices

Here we get another classy folk styled tune for the closing title track. It gets more intense and driving later along the road.

 
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