In loving memory of our co-founder, Darren Beech (4/08/1967 to 25/03/2021)

JON PALMER ACOUSTIC BAND – Light Goes Low (Splid Records SPLIDCD35)

Light Goes LowI should start by thanking Jon for using my description of his Acoustic Band on his publicity since his previous album. A bit of buttering up never goes amiss. If you need a reminder, the band comprises Wendy Ross on violin, bassist Eddy Green, Iain Cunningham on a plethora of keyboard instruments, drummer Adam Hopkins, and Lee Wellbrook on high end strings with guests Baz Warne and producer David Crickmore plus an angelic choir on the final track. Light Goes Low is the latest album in the band’s twelve year history and it’s a belter.

The thread running through the album is that of growing old and looking back, sometimes with nostalgia, sometimes with regret but mostly with joy. And with that there is also a feeling of looking forward. The opener, ‘Old Folk Renegades’ hits the mark in praise of music festivals. When we first started going to festivals we were young and looking to escape; we’re still the same people now – just older and looking for a different escape. ‘Cold Cold Ground’ has a strong country feel – the country just happens to be the North York Moors – singing about a young soldier looking forward to the war. Take your pick which war but Ukraine seems to fit the bill.

‘On The Lost Highway’ is one song that looks both ways. “I don’t know where I’m going to”, Jon sings while also thinking about Hank Williams and his song. I’m afraid that ‘Feels Like The Start Of Something’ raises a wry smile as Jon remembers a particular night last June. It’s a song full of optimism although Jon’s observation that “I’m not expecting miracles” seems terribly prescient now. We can only hope that things are better in four year’s time.

‘A Pirate’s Lament’ enters a world of fantasy as the titular pirate looks back on his life and waltzes forward to his death. Jon even manages to (almost) include a quote from Blade Runner. Respect! ‘Light Goes Low’ revisits the opener from the perspective of the man on stage not in the audience; an old rocker with a Gibson J45 who is kept going by the music. It’s not quite rockabilly but I bet it will be a live favourite from hereon in. ‘Lay Your Burden Down’ is a solidly melancholic track built on Adam’s drums and decorated by Wendy’s violin. ‘King Of The Smugglers’ takes us back to the 18th century, a contrast to ‘A Pirate’s Lament’: “They’ll never take me alive” is his boast. But of course they do. ‘Dick!’ is a disparaging take on the life of Dick Turpin with the song highlighting all his worst features – Jon clearly doesn’t like him or his legend.

The final two songs are more reflective. ‘Stone Garden’ is a place of peace and solace for the singer but I can’t quite decide if it’s a real place and if it is what is it? A cemetery, a neolithic monument – both would fit the bill. ‘A Room Full Of Voices’ takes us back to the music and in particular traditional songs. The massed voices represent all the people who have sung the songs down the years. Even here, though, there is a sense that things ain’t what they used to be.

Light Goes Low is possibly the band’s finest album to date, or maybe it just speaks to me as an old curmudgeon who has bought the T-shirts – but they don’t fit any more.

Dai Jeffries

 Artists’ website: https://www.jonpalmeracousticband.com/

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