Zac Brown Band eclectic on ‘Jekyll + Hyde’


Zac Brown Band
“Jekyll + Hyde”
(Southern Ground-John Varvatos-Big Machine-Republic Nashville)

Zac Brown rightly names his new release after a famous, fictional schizophrenic, for few artists in this genre-focused era so openly embrace an eclectic muse.
Brown sets the tone immediately on “Jekyll + Hyde,” which opens with an aggressively rhythmic “Beautiful Drug,” the most electronic-driven track Brown has recorded. The variety doesn‘t stop there, as he brings a Celtic melody to “Remedy,” big-band swing to “Mango Tree” (a duet with Sara Bareilles) and a grunge-rock guitar crunch to “Heavy Is the Head” (a duet with Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell).
That said, there‘s plenty of Brown’s breezy, island-influenced rhythms and his acoustic, folk-derived style, both of which emphasize his voice and his lyrical smarts. This time, he includes a rare cover on a powerful interpretation of Jason Isbell‘s “Dress Blues.”
Brown and his large band changed record distributors and producers for “Jekyll + Hyde,” but the album sounds like a logical next step by a talented band. As always, they make it all sound coherent. (AP)


Stapleton’s solo CD takes road less travelled


Chris Stapleton
“Traveller”
(Mercury Nashville)

Chris Stapleton owns a great, growling bluesman‘s voice and a sensitive singer-songwriter’s heart. He‘s written hits for Luke Bryan (“Drink a Beer”), Kenny Chesney (“Never Wanted Nothing More”), Darius Rucker (“Come Back Song”) and others, and received several Grammy nominations as lead vocalist for the Steeldrivers, an acclaimed bluegrass band.
On his first solo album, Stapleton wrote or co-wrote 12 of the 14 songs, ranging from the hard-charging “Parachute” to the slow-cooked stone soul of “Sometimes I Cry,” and from the southern rock of “When the Stars Come Out,” to the achingly beautiful country ballad, “Whiskey and You.”
Stapleton ignores current radio and Music Row trends on “Traveler,” striving for something more personal. He heightens his individuality by choosing to work with a small studio band and playing most of the lead string instruments himself. He also co-produces the collection with Dave Cobb, known for bringing out the best in outside-the-mainstream artists.
Stapleton joins like-minded singer-songwriters such as Miranda Lambert and Kasey Musgrave in showing country music a future that leaves the door open for singular stylists. (AP)


Jon Regen plays piano ballads that swing


Jon Regen
“Stop Time”
(Motema)

This 10-song set is nearly half over before pianist Jon Regen stretches out, launching into an impressive jazzy solo on the title cut.
Elsewhere Regen keeps things deceptively simple, and that’s fine. His sturdy songs, pleasing tenor and seven-foot grand are a captivating combination, even when the notes are kept to a minimum.
Regen‘s music is two-drink minimum material, made for late at night in a cozy club with the piano in the middle of the room. While his playing is free of frills, his lyrics are straightforward too as he sings about persistence, resilience, allegiance and distance.
These are piano ballads that swing, thanks in part to Elvis Costello’s rhythm section. The intimate arrangements are beautifully spare, so that on “Morning Papers,” even a single cymbal tap resonates.
At times the mix of pop and jazz recalls Bruce Hornsby, and that‘s meant as high praise. The album title refers to Regen’s wish that life could be put on pause, but these songs are made for the repeat button. (AP)