Album Review: JD & The Straight Shot’s Ballyhoo!

New York based JD & The Straight Shot’s new, all-acoustic record, Ballyhoo!, is set for release on January 15th. The eleven track set, produced by Chuck Ainlay, was recorded in Nashville and New York and merges elements of the blues, folk, roots and Americana. The songs are all originals sans one, a beautifully done cover of Spirit’s “Nature’s Way” – a song about the environment which remains current today. 

Throughout the album, but particularly on the honest-as-can-be opener, “Empty,” founder and front man Jim Dolan’s weathered vocals exude experience. He is memorably joined on vocals by violinist Erin Slaver on the standout “Better Find A Church” which not only has a straight up groovy chorus, but a perfect guitar interlude. “Perdition” and “Ballyhoo” both feel like songs that would be heard in a blues joint in the deep South, while “Glide,” an ode to youthful joy, has an incredibly unique Bluegrass/70’s feel and “Don’t Waste My Time” puts forth a sad, noir vibe courtesy of violin and Byron House’s bass. Rounding out the collection are two favorites that are both sad, yet hopeful, “Hard To Find” and “I’ll See You Again.”

Merriam-Webster defines ballyhoo as “talk or writing that is designed to get people excited or interested in something,” if that’s the case, then Ballyhoo! definitely lives up to its title with songs that are interesting, memorable and refreshingly done. Give it a listen.