Australia's answer to Ryan Adams?
Paul Glover | Chatswood West, NSW Australia | 03/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jason Walker is a multi talented singer/songwriter/guitarist/lap steel player, based in Sydney. He is also a gifted writer and recently released an acclaimed biography on country legend Gram Parsons ('God's Own Singer' through Helter Skelter), a key influence on Jason's own music.On his first solo venture since leaving Golden Rough, Jason chose to record a number of cover versions by a diverse range of artists including his beloved Parsons, Tom Waits, Springsteen, Freedy Johnson and the Jayhawks as wellas four original tunes. The uninitiated might level accusations that Jason relies too heavily on other writers' songs on this CD. However, once you've listened to Jason's inspired interpretations (Freedy Johnson's 'The Lucky One' and Springsteen's 'I Wish I Were Blind' are real standouts) alongside his own wonderful compositions, you realise that he has pulled of an amazing feat. His own songs match the covers, in some cases transcending them (eg, 'The Other Side of The Bar' and 'Tears', the latter duetting with the sublime Audrey Auld). The CD resonates with the spirit of the great late 60s country rock records (Byrds, Springfield etc) and didn't they all used to do a lot of cover versions back in those days? Using Michael Carpenter as producer (and drummer throughout) has also added a different dimension to the recording. Knowledgeable pop fans will know Carpenter as a talented power pop artist in his own right. His production really makes this record great and shows that pop and country come from the same spiritual source.Walker's album was named as the Australian Alt Country album of the year by David Messer in Australia's Juice magazine and rightfully so. Jason is reportedly recording his follow up during 2003 and it will no doubt lean more heavily on his own tunes (but I for one hope that he throws in some old favourites because he plays them so well)."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1