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Available on all streaming and downloading services, cd, and a damn good chance on vinyl in January 2021.
The new Pawn Shop Saints album ordinary folks, is 9 songs of ordinary, and maybe not so ordinary, people, and is the follow-up to 2018’s double album (and Euro Americana #3 charting) texas, etc…
Two years ago Jeb wrote 50 songs in 50 days while traveling south and Appalachian sections of the US, including three he wrote in a Nashville hotel room.
“I have spent years driving around the eastern half of the country, especially to the Carolina’s and to Nashville, trying to become a respected musician. (Not sure I’ve accomplished this yet LOL) I began pulling off the interstates to hit the small towns where ordinary people live. You can drive a couple of miles and find other world, mostly small towns with non-brand name convenient stores, bars and chicken joints.”
“ I found myself interacting with the people that live there more and more, and found out that I was too quick to judge them as less than the hard working folks they were. Most were just ordinary folks trying to get through life’s hard times. These people are reflected in songs such as “Southern Mansions: and “You Don’t Know The Cumberland” . I then found myself writing about the similarities we all have, and not so much focusing on the differences.”
Recording began last summer, but was shelved to record an ep (unreleased..look for a 2021 release)
Then an eye injury to Jeb halted recording for a few months, and the covid pandemic shut down the studio with 90% of the album completed. Recording was finished once restrictions eased, but only one person was allowed in the studio at a time, which made for slow going. And unfortunately some guest musicians had to be scratched due to health concerns.
Praise for ordinary folks.....
"....ordinary folks," showcases the excellent New England trio at their most compelling... "
Kevin Bryan Kevin’s reviews are syndicated to up to approx. 90 other regional UK newspaper
At The Barrier John Barlass
Rootsy Americana combo, The Pawn Shop Saints, reappraise Trumpland and offer empathy and praise....
...Make no mistake, the songs we have here are exceptional...an album that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Full Review |
The Rocking Magpie Roy Peak
"...World Weary Minimalist Country Songs.... “ordinary folks” lives, cut like a knife...With a good eye
for detail and a perfect voice for melancholy (Barry’s vocal chords fire up in a similar way as
does Paul Westerberg’s..."
“New Year’s Eve, Somewhere in the Midwest” could be a Country Cousin to the songs on
Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska. Full Review
Maximum Volume - Rating 9/10
"...These songs are for us….you can see exactly why Barry has been compared to Jason Isbell...
"Dry River Song” would have many an Americana artist getting very excited. To be truthful, not
many of them could have made this record. To do that takes a rare talent, one that the four
men here clearly have. Full Review
Rootstime Dani Heyvaert
“…I dare to call this “a great little record”…” Full Review
MusicRiot UK
"...“Ordinary Folks” is a grainy black and white photo of life in the towns after the vultures have
picked the bones clean and moved on. Full Review
LonesomeHighway.com Stephen Rapid
“…rewarding and restorative…” Lonesong Highway
Roots In November David Pearson
“…It’s gritty, it’s bleak, it’s totally Americana…" Full Review
Lonestar Time Remo Ricaldone Italy
“…melancholy, mystery and 'dark' storytelling which is a bit characteristic of the Deep South..."
Full Review
Paris-Move Patrick Dallongeville
“…the Pawn Shop Saints paint a striking portrait of an America ..an album as woody as the landscapes
and characters that inspired it.…” Full Review
The People of the Blues Michele Manzotti
“…excellent songwriting…” Full Review
Rootsville
"...wonderful storytelling..." Full Review
Keys and Chords Marino Serdons
“…the hard life, put to melody …” Full Review
Country Music & Dance in Scotland Stewart Fenwick -
“…an album of simple observations…” Full Review
Music Web News 4/5 Stars Andy Snipper
“…Ultimately this is an uncomfortable view of America but played brilliantly and observed with care
and heart…” Full Review
Country Music People magazine December 2020 Americana Roundup by Michael Hingston
“…The finished article was worth the effort and the wait…” Magazine Link
Ruta 66 Eloy Pérez
"...A work that contains much more substance than it seems at first glance. …the little details, the
lyrics and the stories behind each song end up catching you...." Full Review
Written In Music 4/5 stars Cis Van Looy
"...Another impressive piece of work by a gifted songsmith..." Full Review