Exhilarating Performances on Propulsive Sixth Studio Album

With a touch of retro in their showcase, the energetic presentation of JD and The Straight Shot (a reliable band since 2005) is propulsive and fiery. “Redemption Train,” the first track off their sixth studio album (with ten songs) — “Good Luck and Good Night,” is dark chocolate sweet in its melodic attraction. The ensemble singing between male and female vocals: exhilarating. It’s not a song that will knock your socks off but it is great for a diversionary time that goes well with white cranberry Skinny Girl vodka. Saloon music with ripe Celtic fiddles of the highest order. Pour me another, I am staying for the show.  

Crisp banjos and fiddles dominate the “Ballad of Jacob Marley” (the old rich miser of the Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol”). This is a clever song with luxurious blends of instrumentation. Vocals are excellent and the arrangement is reminiscent of the classic country-rock tracks of  Goose Creek Symphony (“Little Liza Jane-Plans of the Lord”).

“Moonlight,” is already a favorite — big time. The fiddle reminds me of the obscure but quite talented A&M Records band Private Lightning that had some marvelous fiddle sawing by Patty van Ness (“When You’re Laughing”). The singing by JD and The Straight Shot musicians overall is well recorded and the sonics of the entire performance — glorious at times. What’s even more miraculous is that JD’s fine band is something he does out of his love for playing music. He does have a “day” job — you’ll have to do some research to discover just how enterprising JD is.

Most songs in this collection are not toss-offs but tales that deal with various serious subjects. Something I can respect. “I Know You Know I Know,” deals with domestic abuse but the song doesn’t push it into your face – the presentation maintains its entertaining value despite its intensity. The fiddle is more dour and no-nonsense. JD is vocally all business and the light acoustic guitar and deep bass paint a sad picture along with the melancholy fiddle and accordion. But don’t let those “blue” words of mine distract you this is finely stitched music. The band at this junction shows its serious side and this up’s the value added to a collection that is well played – but, could be just interpreted as good time music. Not so. The band knows how to address a tender subject with potency.

The single from the album is the acoustic-driven “Run for Me.” JD sounds like he was schooled in the art of the old English music hall band Deaf School (“What a Way to End It All,” “Hi-Jo-Hi” and “All Queued Up,” and other songs from that rollicking collection). The 70’s band that had a slight vaudeville edge in their rock approach JD sprinkles liberally throughout his set. They also blend little pieces of the rocking novelty band Sailor (“Glass of Champagne,” “Trouble in Hong Kong”) that used a Nickelodeon as a lead instrument on some songs and effectively. The English 70’s radical band Bethnal also comes to mind as this band used a violin as a lead instrument on especially “Nothing’s New,” as well as, “Dangerous Games,” and “Clown in the Crowd.”

These were artists to savor at that time and JD seems to continue in this tradition, perhaps with a little more serious bent — whether he knows it or not. This type of music is always worth the time to see and hear when played live.

“Shambala,” a cover of an old Three Dog Night song is rendered quite well here with the mix of female backup vocals. The band manages to recreate the song with a modern edge. While the melody for this old song was always infectious – JD (Jim Dolan – vocals & guitar) and The Straight Shot respectfully energize it with more percussion and a nice guitar solo. For some, it may come off as under-rehearsed or lack of some real fire. I find it acceptable as a typical Friday night barbecue band that gives it’s all, stays in tune and injects honey and grit. It has a vein of happiness that runs through it and the fiddle solo is so in the groove.

I also like this song specifically for its spare mid-tempo attempt to capture a time in music that has passed. If nothing else it’s good for nostalgia. And at the end vocally it sounds like South African Johnny Clegg’s Julukka with its fine vocal unison. That was a band that had fireworks and Roman candles and Clegg’s dance moves were always stunning especially when he used a stick (“Scatterings of Africa”). Now that’s a band this group of musicians could possibly have a kinship with and share the stage with.

While the title track of JD’s album didn’t shake me up, the beautiful acoustic guitar led ballad “Tonight,” did. It tickles the ear. Sincere husky vocal by JD and with a light touch violin. The band has a talent for diversity which is important.

Some bands play exceptionally well, but it sounds like the same song over and over. Not evident here. Not all songs are strong entry’s but the ones that have merit are easily songs that would be set on repeat.

This is a collection that will satisfy most listeners. I enjoyed them. The band has that type of sound. Nothing bombastic, no showboating. Just solid performances, though the singing could use a little more power and assertiveness. I will admit the vocals are clear and the tone good. I think the singers have to stamp their feet a little more, get the blood circulating and get “into it” more vocalise aggression. There is something here to enjoy but the foot needs to stay more steady on the accelerator and not hesitate to take a curve or two at a higher speed.

Tell you what though – I would buy this. I like their solid-state music. Right now, this is orange juice concentrate – but, some people prefer the real orange squeezed – pulp and all. That’s what the point is. I think they can do it. Absolutely.

“It’s Your World Now,” is a good cover of an Eagles song that is performed in a more Jimmy Buffett tradition. It is well-played but not my thing. I am just a little too New York for the Buffet approach. He is Hawaiian shorts and I am denim and boots. It veers too far from the secured audience of the other musical genres this band plays even better. The Hawaiian shirt crowd will applaud this (and they should) but the Americana-Roots-Rock audience may head for the bar for a cold Pabst. This song at times returns to the Sailor style when they were at their most novelty-oriented but rollicking — (“Girls, Girls, Girls”).

The band includes Marc Copley on guitar, Byron House (Bass), violinist/fiddler Erin Slaver, and Shawn Pelton – drums – all veterans of many famous performers in Americana-Country-Roots and Rock and their effort shows. The collection was produced & mixed by Marc Copley and recorded in Nashville. JD = Jim Dolan (guitar & vocals/businessman) has a wonderful band here he should be proud of. They sound as if they would also light up a live stage. They are focused but as mentioned earlier, they need to take chances on the curves to maintain a sizeable lead. Just when they feel their music is tender they should go prickly. Just when they’re confident, subtle and broad — they should go gritty. This is a band to watch, no doubt. They could on any given night rumble and rock every seat in the house.

Many bands enjoy playing and maybe — not so much the hard work of writing and coming up with tunes and then the laborious work of recording in the studio. Not everyone is a Rolling Stones. Music is a tough business but JD and The Straight Shot? They do have something going for them: you can hear that they love to play and perform and anyone who’s ever picked up a guitar – knows that’s half the battle won.

I can be a little critical at times but not as a matter of ridicule. I prefer to offer criticism the artists can use to improve their work. There are so many wonderfully talented independent artists recording and performing today. JD and The Straight Shot – they are among the best. I am told they put on a killer show. If so, that justifies their efforts here.

I reviewed the album under a private stream and I usually comment on the CD packaging. However, I did not have an opportunity to comment since I did not have a hard CD.

Website: https://www.jdandthestraightshot.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/jdandthestraightshot/

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this review/commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of No Depression. All photography is owned by the respective photographers and is their copyrighted image; credited where photographer’s name was known & being used here solely as a reference and will be removed on request. YouTube images are standard YouTube license.

John Apice / No Depression / December 2017