J.P. WHIPPLE - MOAB
2015 - Self Released
Sometimes amongst the huge quantity of formulaic 'country music' and it's numerous offshoots, even occasionally segueing into the blues, it is possible to find an artist who is completely driven by their own musical muse or vision. I feel incredibly fortunate to be in a position where I have more chance of discovering them than the 'average' music fan. J.P. Whipple epitomizes the hugely talented, totally unique, singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist who often lives the itinerant lifestyle, playing where he can to whomever will listen, which in John's case should be anyone who claims to like their roots music played by someone who has a totally original style! In fact stylistically I have seen his music variously described as alternative, country, blues, vaudevillian, gypsy, cabaret, folk and I'm sure if given enough thought a few more genres could be added to that list! All are pretty much accurate but not in isolation, those various styles all being put into the pot and blended into his own uniquely idiosyncratic genre of one.
He is an artist, a talented writer of musings on, well ............... just about anything that takes his fancy! Then there are his songs; frequently dark, this often gloom laden music is also incredibly uplifting. Perhaps that doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but we often write/talk about musicians who are complete 'one offs' and John Whipple most certainly is! As to his painted art and writings; just look at his website and you will in all probability agree with me that he is at the top of the game in more than one just discipline! He is also known as the 'barefoot troubadour,' an appropriate description when bearing in mind the fact that he certainly spends a lot of time barefoot, but more than that he is genuinely an itinerant troubadour who plays where and when he can. To this can be added the fact that he also has an extraordinary back catalogue of varied and diverse albums of 'root music' with this being his tenth studio (or apartment!) recording since his 2002 debut, the excellent 'Thrift Store Wardrobe.'
It is a good thing we have a generic label (assuming any label is a good thing, .......... which we know it isn't!) titled 'Roots music' because that at least enables reviewers, p.r people, agents etc. to give the uninitiated at least some idea of J.P. Whipples muse. After all if any easy listening fan got hold of his music, it would probably scare the life out of them, although i'm just as sure they would be intrigued by the individuality! Not because it is head banging rock, but because, as usual J.Ps music is challenging, not only with it's usually dark lyricism but also because he creates a similarly dark atmosphere even on his lighter toned songs.
Many, if not all, of his songs are taken from his experiences, which are somewhat different to the experiences of most of us. He uses travel to 'earn a living' but also to gather subject matter for his songs, paintings and written word. When that little lot are all put through the blender is it any surprise that he is like no one else? I always get the impression that lyrically there is a fatalistic acceptance of his world, almost as if the fight that once was in him is now on the wane, although that doesn't mean it has all gone, the songs characters all being too intelligent to merely give up. In fact it is not just the lyrics but also his vocal nuances and the music's arrangements and tempos that help create these often extraordinary songs.
On album opener Save, the songs arrangement is just as nuanced as his vocals, with its lovely tuneful guitar intro soon joined by percussion on a slow moodily reflective tale on which John's vocals are at their most atmospheric, matched by a lovely dobro solo. It is a gorgeous and quite haunting tale with the occasional piano giving the song an almost mystical air. All Good Things Lost blends piano and acoustic guitar on a song that is lyrically and musically dark but given a lift by the 'spaciness' of the sound and the meandering fatalism of the lead vocals that are supported by a contrasting harmony vocal. Day After The World Ended is a more punchy mid tempo song with a bluesy instrumentation and an almost vaudevillian atmosphere, albeit one that is both dark and fatalistic, whilst bringing a discordant lightness to an almost surreal tale! The Chase is a haunting otherworldly tale with a lovely blending of instruments on a story that has confusion at its root, perfectly evoked by the vocals and instrumentation on a song that veers through various tones with an epic, almost cinematic quality. Finally we have Expectations a gorgeous epic ballad with a haunting dobro and acoustic guitar to the fore, eventually joined by piano and John's evocative vocals on another highly lyrical tale.
I used the term 'musical genius' on a review of John's previous album and there is nothing on this recording that makes me want to take that statement back, in fact the impression is enhanced. You can sample his tremendous back catalogue for very little financial cost by using the second link below, where you will find all of his albums readily available as downloads. Go on, dive in and broaden your musical scope! I did and have never regretted it.
http://barefootjohn.com/
http://jpwhipple.bandcamp.com/
Sometimes amongst the huge quantity of formulaic 'country music' and it's numerous offshoots, even occasionally segueing into the blues, it is possible to find an artist who is completely driven by their own musical muse or vision. I feel incredibly fortunate to be in a position where I have more chance of discovering them than the 'average' music fan. J.P. Whipple epitomizes the hugely talented, totally unique, singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist who often lives the itinerant lifestyle, playing where he can to whomever will listen, which in John's case should be anyone who claims to like their roots music played by someone who has a totally original style! In fact stylistically I have seen his music variously described as alternative, country, blues, vaudevillian, gypsy, cabaret, folk and I'm sure if given enough thought a few more genres could be added to that list! All are pretty much accurate but not in isolation, those various styles all being put into the pot and blended into his own uniquely idiosyncratic genre of one.
He is an artist, a talented writer of musings on, well ............... just about anything that takes his fancy! Then there are his songs; frequently dark, this often gloom laden music is also incredibly uplifting. Perhaps that doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but we often write/talk about musicians who are complete 'one offs' and John Whipple most certainly is! As to his painted art and writings; just look at his website and you will in all probability agree with me that he is at the top of the game in more than one just discipline! He is also known as the 'barefoot troubadour,' an appropriate description when bearing in mind the fact that he certainly spends a lot of time barefoot, but more than that he is genuinely an itinerant troubadour who plays where and when he can. To this can be added the fact that he also has an extraordinary back catalogue of varied and diverse albums of 'root music' with this being his tenth studio (or apartment!) recording since his 2002 debut, the excellent 'Thrift Store Wardrobe.'
It is a good thing we have a generic label (assuming any label is a good thing, .......... which we know it isn't!) titled 'Roots music' because that at least enables reviewers, p.r people, agents etc. to give the uninitiated at least some idea of J.P. Whipples muse. After all if any easy listening fan got hold of his music, it would probably scare the life out of them, although i'm just as sure they would be intrigued by the individuality! Not because it is head banging rock, but because, as usual J.Ps music is challenging, not only with it's usually dark lyricism but also because he creates a similarly dark atmosphere even on his lighter toned songs.
Many, if not all, of his songs are taken from his experiences, which are somewhat different to the experiences of most of us. He uses travel to 'earn a living' but also to gather subject matter for his songs, paintings and written word. When that little lot are all put through the blender is it any surprise that he is like no one else? I always get the impression that lyrically there is a fatalistic acceptance of his world, almost as if the fight that once was in him is now on the wane, although that doesn't mean it has all gone, the songs characters all being too intelligent to merely give up. In fact it is not just the lyrics but also his vocal nuances and the music's arrangements and tempos that help create these often extraordinary songs.
On album opener Save, the songs arrangement is just as nuanced as his vocals, with its lovely tuneful guitar intro soon joined by percussion on a slow moodily reflective tale on which John's vocals are at their most atmospheric, matched by a lovely dobro solo. It is a gorgeous and quite haunting tale with the occasional piano giving the song an almost mystical air. All Good Things Lost blends piano and acoustic guitar on a song that is lyrically and musically dark but given a lift by the 'spaciness' of the sound and the meandering fatalism of the lead vocals that are supported by a contrasting harmony vocal. Day After The World Ended is a more punchy mid tempo song with a bluesy instrumentation and an almost vaudevillian atmosphere, albeit one that is both dark and fatalistic, whilst bringing a discordant lightness to an almost surreal tale! The Chase is a haunting otherworldly tale with a lovely blending of instruments on a story that has confusion at its root, perfectly evoked by the vocals and instrumentation on a song that veers through various tones with an epic, almost cinematic quality. Finally we have Expectations a gorgeous epic ballad with a haunting dobro and acoustic guitar to the fore, eventually joined by piano and John's evocative vocals on another highly lyrical tale.
I used the term 'musical genius' on a review of John's previous album and there is nothing on this recording that makes me want to take that statement back, in fact the impression is enhanced. You can sample his tremendous back catalogue for very little financial cost by using the second link below, where you will find all of his albums readily available as downloads. Go on, dive in and broaden your musical scope! I did and have never regretted it.
http://barefootjohn.com/
http://jpwhipple.bandcamp.com/