Artist: JEFF BLACK
Album: A WALK IN THE SUN
Release Date: 2020
Label: Lotos Nile Music
UPC: 859732966395

Recorded at The Mud Room, The Squirrel Nest,
7 Deadly Sins Nashville
Recorded by Luke Martin, John Wilson,
Rob Stokes, Jeff Black
Mixed By Dave Sinko
Mastered By Don Cobb

Jeff Black Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars,
Piano, Programming, Percussion
Sam Bush Mandolin, Fiddle
Jerry Douglas Resonator Guitar
Jerry Roe Drums, Percussion
Dave Roe Bass
Kenny Vaughan Acoustic and Electric Guitars

Produced By Jeff Black

Design by Jeff Black and Torne White

Very Special Thanks To: Musicares
Debbie Carrol, Christina Scholz, ACM Lifting Lives,
Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund,
Tommy Moore, Mary Pambukyan, Alexa Fasheh,
Musicians Foundation, Jeremy Morrow,
St. Thomas Heart West, Dr. Andrew Morse,
Howell Allen Clinic, Dr. Paul McCombs III,
Kyle and MaryBeth Jackson, Halle,
Levi and Rider Jackson,
David Salada, Sam and Lynn Bush,
Jerry Douglas, Duke Bardwell, Dave Roe,
Allison Craft Designs, Escape to Create Seaside,
7 Deadly Sins Studio, Gregg Hitch, Mark Franzke,
Torne White, Leslie Rouffe.
The generous supporters
and visionaries on the Blacklist.

Jeff Black plays LaBella Strings,
Morley Pedals, Access Cases, Paige Capos,
Impact Picks, Franzke Instruments, Epiphone Masterbilt

All songs written by Jeff Black
© Lotos Nile Music BMI

A sei anni di distanza da “Folklore” torna con una nuova serie di canzoni Jeff Black, tra i migliori autori della scena folk e americana, in un album assolutamente ottimo che compensa ampiamente questo periodo di silenzio discografico. “A Walk In The Sun” non fa che comprovare la bellezza del ‘tocco’ del musicista nativo di Kansas City, Missouri ma residente da anni a Nashville dove nel tempo ha composto brani ripresi con successo da Blackhawk, Sam Bush, Alison Krauss, Waylon Jennings e Jerry Douglas per fare qualche nome. Voce appassionata e sempre fortemente espressiva, buona tecnica sia alla chitarra che al piano ma all’occasione anche interessante ad armonica e banjo, uno stile riconoscibile per dolcezza ed emozioni che infonde in ogni momento, una non comune coerenza stilistica che unisce la bellezza dei suoni acustici della tradizione ad un orientamento che talvolta lo porta in territori pop ma sempre con le radici giuste, queste sono le molteplici caratteristiche di un personaggio che a mio parere ha raccolto con la produzione a suo nome meno di quello che avrebbe meritato in fatto di popolarità e successo. L’occasione è perfetta quindi per fare la conoscenza con la sua musica e magari con i suoi dischi precedenti, dieci eccellenti raccolte di emozioni iniziate a fine anni novanta con “Birmingham Road”, suo unico lavoro pubblicato da una major. L’impianto è spesso acustico ma non mancano momenti in cui le situazioni volgono verso un roots-rock decisamente intrigante, come in “Machine” con le sue chitarre distorte e il piglio quasi rock blues oppure nella ballata elettrica intitolata “How To Save The World”. Il resto lo occupa il suo talento compositivo che qui si materializza attraverso una notevolissima serie di perle, a partire dall’introduttiva “Needed The Rain” che ci consegna subito uno dei brani migliori per poi passare a “Stumbling” con un magnifico dobro a cucire note ispirate, alla commovente “Until I Learn To Fly”, alla pianistica ed elegante “Satisfied”, a “Calliope Song” che si avvicina alla tradizione grazie al bel lavoro di mandolino, così come “The Best That I Can Do” si pone a fianco della più toccante canzone d’autore e “Always On My Way Back Home” chiude con la più pura narrazione folk grazie ancora ad uno stile personale, da encomiabile storyteller quale Jeff Black è. Disco e musicista da (ri)scoprire…lo merita davvero. Remo Ricaldone




Six years after "Folklore", Jeff Black returns with a new series of songs, among the best authors of the folk and American scene, in an absolutely excellent album that amply compensates for this period of record silence. "A Walk In The Sun" only proves the beauty of the 'touch' of the musician native of Kansas City, Missouri but residing for years in Nashville where over time he has composed songs successfully taken by Blackhawk, Sam Bush, Alison Krauss, Waylon Jennings and Jerry Douglas to name a few. Passionate voice and always strongly expressive, good technique both on the guitar and on the piano but on occasion also interesting for harmonica and banjo, a style recognizable for sweetness and emotions that instills at all times, an uncommon stylistic coherence that combines the beauty of the sounds traditional acoustics to an orientation that sometimes takes him to pop territories but always with the right roots, these are the multiple characteristics of a character who in my opinion has collected less than what he would have deserved in popularity with the production in his name it happened. The opportunity is therefore perfect to get acquainted with his music and perhaps with his previous records, ten excellent collections of emotions that began in the late nineties with "Birmingham Road", his only work published by a major label. The system is often acoustic but there is no shortage of situations when situations turn towards a decidedly intriguing roots-rock, as in "Machine" with its distorted guitars and almost rock-blues look or in the electric ballad entitled "How To Save The World ". The rest is occupied by his compositional talent which materializes here through a remarkable series of pearls, starting from the introductory "Needed The Rain" which immediately gives us one of the best songs and then goes on to "Stumbling" with a magnificent sewing dobro inspired notes, to the moving "Until I Learn To Fly", to the elegant piano "Satisfied", to "Calliope Song" which approaches tradition thanks to the beautiful mandolin work, as well as "The Best That I Can Do" alongside the most touching song of the author and "Always On My Way Back Home", it closes with the purest folk narrative thanks again to a personal style, from a commendable storyteller such as Jeff Black is. Disco and musician to (re) discover ... really deserves it.
-Remo Ricaldone

Needed The Rain

rained a little
then it rained a little more
then a big ol’ thunderstorm
come a knocking at my door
before I got my boots on man
she’d done passed through town
really left me reeling
and some old trees laying down
got me wondering where that
blue sky was hiding

the fields were taking on
her latest refrain
dogs were barking down there
at the end of their chain
there's a new moon rising
but he's pretty hard to see
a little change in the atmosphere
put the change on me
got me wondering about
this big rock shaking
what with all of these
new thoughts I’m thinking

worry never served me well
like staying in a cheap hotel
you’re stuck there in that little place
and there just ain’t no space
to change your mind
no space to change your mind

pulled out my harpoon
I signed for the bill
left my troubles laying down
there on the windowsill
old black crow flying
hey you’re a friend of mine
meet me at the rising
and the red sky line
way on out there where
that big sun is breaking
what with all of these
new thoughts I’m thinking

worry never served me well
like staying in a cheap hotel
and though my boat was sinking
all I know is that we needed the rain

 

Stumbling

I didn't know what to believe
before the day that I became
aware of this world and likely as not
God and I we were robbing the same train

then I realized it's not some creed
but how I feel in my own skin
that gave me cause to follow my heart
to begin to begin again

I don't feel bad about stumbling around
I don't even give it a second thought
because ain't that how we all find
what we really want
what we really want

a handful of days a walk in the sun
the weight of the light upon my face
a few precious moments alone with my love
a calliope song through the garden gate

I looked through the papers, the balcony stairs
bottles of booze the smoke and the wine
every single solitary place you'd find a fool
while I was wearing it well well well
right here all the time

 

Until I Learn How To Fly

I’d like to start at the beginning
when the world was turning slow
Little Medicine Creek is rolling easy
through summer fields of green and gold

I can see you running barefoot mama
dancing down the hill
along the fencerow where
the garden is growing
with the blackbird and the whippoorwill

it’s such a bittersweet farewell for now
and since I don’t know how to say goodbye
I’ll just keep on kicking this stone down the road
until I learn how to fly

have we not been here forever
have we not seen everything
every footstep so familiar to me
are you changing skies on a bluebird’s wing

What I would not give for one more day
or to see through those hazel eyes
from above the sky
before the stars
fade away

I’ve been dreaming about a Catherine wheel
lighting up the night
diamond sparks in a ribbon of smoke
disappearing in a ring of fire

it’s such a bittersweet farewell for now
and since I don’t know how to say goodbye
I’ll just keep on kicking this stone down the road
until I learn how to fly
until I learn how to fly

 

Machine

I got a decent education
kicking an old bass drum
trouble seemed to find me easy
in my little town when I was young

I’ve got some work in Kansas City
I’m going to need that gasoline
oh lord hope you forgive me
for getting caught up in that machine

high tension steel around me
I was drawn in to the cause
with a blade the drill the oil spill
all of mother natures laws

I’ve got some work in Kansas City
so I’m going to need that gasoline
I hope that you forgive me
for getting caught up in that machine

Oh I I’d like to change the world
I’d like to hit on that high road
but unbelievable refractions
distorted everything I know

there’s men walking on this planet
who are lucky to be alive
because I’m a gentleman with a lot to lose
the only reason they survive

I’ve got some work in Kansas City
I’m going to need that gasoline
oh Lord I hope you forgive me
for getting caught up in that machine

Oh I want to change the world
I want to hit on that high road
I want to walk the streets of heaven
but I don’t want to sell my soul

 

Satisfied

So you wrote it down
and the wish came true
you're wondering now
who they were talking to
so you check the time
because the play ran long
and you just don't know
if that's where you belong

may the stray dogs offer
you a place to rest
and comfort in your claim
there at the turn of the clover
when you place your bets
oh you're on your way again

Are you satisfied
are you satisfied
did you ever get your answer
or did you let it slide
are you satisfied

so you’re headed out
for a little more
perhaps a cut above
what you settled for
do not despair
you are not alone
there's a number of us
on our way back home

may the stray dogs offer
you a place to rest
and comfort in your claim
there at the turn of the clover
when you place your bets
you're on your way again

are you satisfied
are you satisfied
did you ever get your answer
or did you let it slide
are you satisfied

you chase your hat down Fannin street
like it might help you play the blues
though it never fit you well
it’s one you hate to lose
and the wind keeps blowing
it just keeps on rolling
and you go there knowing
that there’s nothing here to prove

may the stray dogs offer you a place to rest
yes I will see you once again
though I may not look or sound the same
you'll know who I am

 

Calliope Song

there used to be a little dancer
running fast down through my day
you can tell me not to worry
but she’s been gone a long long time

no lens or magic camera
could capture or replace
the way we used to feel
down on this side of the line

will I never get to play you
my calliope song
will I forever be reminded
one might never right a wrong
I know you’re out there
twisting turning churning in the blue
do right by me darling
I was true to you do right by me darling
I was true to you

in a dirty bombed out basement
full of Reagan devotees
jacking my redemption
and pissing on my name

hangs a picture of my old friend
who forgives everyone but me
I guess science and religion
always need a poor boy they can blame

from the first light out the window
honey you’ve been free to fly
I can’t make you love me
I won’t even try

 

How To Save The World

you wake up early in the morning
break your back to make your bed
you get the coffee boiling, Black
whatever it takes to clear your head
then you walk to the window
with your thoughts to meet the day
you count your blessings boy
then you best get the hell out the way

then you learn to forgive
and you forgive it all
because the hate
just leaves you cold, cold
and you forgive yourself
because you’re not a fool
and now you can’t say you didn’t know
how to save the world
how to save the world

it’s a bitter pill to take
and pride she go down slow
iand n those small hours turning late
you’re learning how to let it go
then you hear the children laughing louder
and you know you’ve got a decent start
you spend more time listening now
than trying to break your own heart

you take a deep breath
let it out slow
turn the key
and you let it roll

 

The End

Jehovah’s witness knocking at my door
they want to know when the suffering will end
I had to ask them when they thought it started
yeah we've all got some place to begin

baby's born and she starts crying
Mom and Daddy they just disappeared
now I’m working for the broken hearted
do you ever wonder where you’ll be next year

look at that sky
that ain’t blue
that’s just how she does
when the light shines through
there is no truth
in the end
love, it’s only love
old friend

now they want to know if I believe
and if I died today where might I go
hell I suppose but I’m not afraid
I got something good cooking on the stove

now I’m leaning on your understanding
and how so many different roads will take us home
better keep a good sense of humor handy
for when you get outside your safety zone

look at that sky
that ain’t rain
that's just angels flying
from lake Pontchartrain
there is no truth
in the end
love, it’s only love
old friend

there are no stars
in the sky
that’s just ancient light
from days gone by
there is no truth
in the end
love, it’s only love
old friend
love, it’s only love
old friend

 

The Best I Can Do

we need a river
we need a meadow
we need wildflowers now
lightning bugs and little whispers
and a clear way out of this crowd
I’ve got a feeling I could lean on you

can’t hold the television
newspapers or religion
or rumors on the radio
with much regard for any
true information lately
or inspiration for my soul
I’ve got a feeling now though
I’m getting through

remember the reasons
and us laughing out loud
I believe there’s more out there than
what we’re finding now

I’ve been searching
I’ve been longing for that one quiet day
when the sun fell softly upon our bodies
and we weren’t trying to fly away

I won’t try explaining the changes you own
and you don’t know what I’m going through
but for changing my life
I’m thanking you now
that’s the best I can do
that’s the best I can do

 

Always On My Way Back Home

last time I was in Chicago
I said goodbye to my old friend
I sang a song there for the gathering
then I disappeared again
Illinois in August
left a bad taste in my mouth
so I set my sites on Shiloh
and my little home down south

so I won’t always feel like I’m waiting
so I won’t always feel like I’m so long gone
I keep you here with me
in my little book of dreams and
I’m always on my way back home

I think children are the bravest soldiers
in any war that I’ve ever known
they stand and smile and hold your hand
while the bad guys drop the bomb
then they run laughing down through the ruins
to find a better way
and the best that you can hope for
is that they remember you someday

I appreciate your kindness
and the northern star last night
these lines out on the highway
and the time to make it right
thank you for the music
and the family reserve
thank you for this life
and so much more than I deserve

 

All songs written by Jeff Black
© Lotos Nile Music/Jeff Black Music BMI