John-Paul Davies and Duncan Leigh – the two friends who make up Swansea based duo TangleJack – have been perfecting their own sound, based on two-part harmonies and interweaving guitar lines, for ten years. Now, with their new album The Ragged Edge, they believe they’ve reached the pinnacle of their career so far. Having listened to the eleven original songs that comprise the album, I’m happy to confirm that this is an impressive body of work.
John-Paul and Duncan see this as an album for our times, and that’s reflected in the lyrics. These are poetic, meaningful, and address society’s current problems, such as environmental degradation and the effects of greed and consumerism. Not that it’s all gloom, because the beauty of nature and optimism that a way through to a better World can be found, are present throughout. This contemporary relevance stands in contrast to their musical style, which is more 1960s Greenwich Village than 2020s South Wales. Listening to The Ragged Edge, a thought struck me at times that if Simon and Garfunkel had grown up in contemporary South Wales, this might have been the music they produced. Throughout John-Paul provides powerful lead vocals, with a mid-Atlantic lilt, while Duncan adds harmony. Instrumentally, Duncan takes the lead on guitar, with John-Paul providing the rhythm. This is clearly a tried and tested approach, and it works well throughout. There is also one other voice to be heard on this album – but we’ll come to that later.
The first track, ‘In the Light of the Setting Sun,’ opens with two voices singing in harmony, before a driving guitar sets up a strong, Americana tune. The opening harmony returns with each chorus. A feature of the album is Duncan’s impressive guitar solos, and he adds some great blues guitar to this track.
More good guitar playing opens the title track. The tune is gentler, with a 60s US folk feel. The lyrics, sung mostly in two-part harmony, speak of life’s challenges – “We’re just holding on to the ragged edge” – while also offering a message of solidarity.
‘You’ve Never Had It So Good’ is the most overtly political song on the album. It’s another good guitar tune, with more minor chords used, giving it a sombre air at times. This is the angriest song on the album, with the now previous Government as the target. Sarcastic lyrics couple the upbeat title with grim warnings – “You’ve Never Had it so Good, Just don’t get sick or ill.” A later line tells us that, “The Nation’s favourite clown levels you up to let you down,” and the man himself makes an appearance with exerts from his speeches (including the absurd Peppa Pig oration), playing over another good solo guitar sequence.
After the anger of ‘You’ve Never Had It So Good,’ comes one of the album’s most optimistic tracks. ‘The Garden of Your Heart’ has a lively, upbeat tune, and lyrics that remind us to nurture what is inside us and find the love in our hearts. I don’t know if this was intentional, but it made me think of Voltaire’s invocation at the end of Candide, to cultivate our garden and find happiness in simple things, rather than pursue greed or dominate others. Either way, this is a good distillation of the central themes of this album.
Two more tracks about the beauty of nature follow. ‘Nightingale’ again sets that beauty against the threat from human greed, this time using one of our most evocative and endangered birds. It has a beautiful tune; gentle and soulful. This is the most pastoral track on the album. By contrast, ‘Wild Roses’ has a lively Latin beat, with a Tex Mex feel. The message is more upbeat, celebrating nature’s ability to recover, even on land that has been laid to waste.
Unaccompanied harmony singing opens ‘White Hats.’ The hats of the title are disappearing, but I couldn’t work out what the song is about. Never mind that though, because this is another good tune, with more very impressive guitar playing.
A very strong track follows. ‘The Players Not the Playwright,’ has an infectious tune and deeply spiritual lyrics. Not overtly religious, but evoking a sense of wonder and awareness that there are things bigger than ourselves – “We are the stewards not the seller, The players not the playwright.” The Earth is not ours to control and will go on with or without us. A powerful, thought-provoking song excellently performed, with a plaintive harmonica joining the guitars and adding an extra dimension.
Sung in two-part harmony throughout, ‘Brockwell’ is a gentle song with a beautiful, dreamy tune, and some good, intricate guitar work. This is the track that reminded me most of Simon and Garfunkel – at their most mellow. Again, the natural World features in the lyrics, but this time the emphasis is on the circular nature of life, with the changing seasons. We’re part of the cycle, and the lyrics point to our own mortality. I’ve seen it suggested elsewhere that the title refers to a nature reserve in Monmouthshire. That might make sense because it’s while surrounded by nature that such deep thoughts might develop. This seems to be an understated song, and it’s not mentioned in the band’s publicity, but I’d say it’s the best song here.
‘Draw Another Breath’ has a foot-stomping tune and is probably the rockiest track. It’s another good dose of optimism, telling us that, although life can be challenging, the World and its beauty is there for us – “The river keeps on flowing on, The clouds keep on rolling on.” With its infectious hook and upbeat message, this provides a rousing finale to TangleJack’s live sets. It’s perhaps surprising then, that it isn’t the final track here. That honour goes to ‘(This is Not) The End,’ a gentle and pleasantly lilting song, with an almost psychedelic feel, and an uplifting message of its own – “Hold your faith that this is not the end.”
TangleJack have a formula they believe in, and have produced an assured album, with a clear message. The Ragged Edge is thoughtful, intelligent, and confidently addresses some of the most pressing issues facing the world. Some albums with a serious message can feel like a counsel of despair, but this never does, and is better for it. The warnings here come with a strong sense of optimism. Protest and political comment have always been an integral part of folk music, and the ambition here is very refreshing.
It could be said that it’s less ambitious musically. It’s retro feel of the music might not appeal to everyone, but there’s lots to admire and enjoy here. Both John-Paul and Duncan are talented performers as well as gifted song writers. The two-part harmony singing is excellent throughout and the guitar playing, particularly Duncan’s solos, is very high quality. This is an impressive album that truly succeeds on its own terms.
Graham Brown
Artists’ website: tanglejack.co.uk
‘You’ve Never Had It So Good’ – official video:
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