Read our review of the new release ‘The Hurting Kind’ by John Paul White
John Paul White’s New Album – ‘The Hurting Kind’ – Reviewed
By Keiran Croker
I had the opportunity to see John Paul White last September at the AmericanaFest in Nashville. It was only a short set as part of Emmylou Harris’s ‘Woofstock’ gig. However, for my part it was an introduction as I had somehow missed hearing his talents previously, either solo or with the award winning The Civil Wars duo. I was certainly won over by his exquisite voice and beautiful songs.
So it is with much anticipation I come to review his new offering The Hurting Kind (Single Lock Records).
White was been inspired by the classic country artists and songs of Nashville, and has set out to capture that feeling on this recording. His soaring vocals, supported by lush instrumentation – fiddle, pedal steel and guitars, showcase songs of love lost and found, and overall he delivers on his objective.
The opening track asks perhaps a rhetorical question of what’s so good about “The Good Old Days”. This is guitar-driven modern Americana which sets us up for what’s to come. “I Wish I Could Write You A Song” talks of longing and showcases White’s outstanding voice gliding above beautiful instrumentation that captures that classic country feel.
That feel is maintained on “Heart Like A Kite” and “Yesterday’s Love” where he sings of trying to hold on to love. White returns to a more modern feel on “The Long Way Home” (see clip below), then delivers the showstopper with the title track. Simply superb! He is joined by Lee Ann Womack on “This Isn’t Gonna End Well”. Their seamless vocal interplay ensures that I’ll be checking out the back catalogue of The Civil Wars to get more of this style.
That classic country feel is brought home with the closing tracks – “You Lost Me, James” and “My Dreams Have All Come True”.
Speaking of the songwriting and production process for this recording White says: “I really wanted there to be a torch song quality to it, the classic timeless quality. To not be afraid of the big note, and not be afraid of the drama.”
In my humble opinion he has achieved this in a major way with a suite of memorable classic songs.
It’s always a delight to make a personal discovery of a new favourite artist. Of course John Paul is well known by many and this new recording will only enhance his already high standing in the alternative country genre. I can highly recommend this offering.
Here’s a clip for “Long Way Home”:
Via Cooking Vinyl Australia
Read our review of the new release ‘The Hurting Kind’ by John Paul White
