Joe Hodgson – Fields Of Redemption
Northern Irish guitarist Joe Hodgson has fully emphasised his multi-disciplined songwriting approach with up-tempo second solo album, Fields Of Redemption.
The five years later follow-up to his more rock orientated debut album Apparitions, which itself followed on from a run of being in a number of nearly made it/ coulda-shoulda bands, Fields Of Redemption is, in Hodgson’s own words, "a journey to find inner peace, punctuated by laughter and a whole lot of fun. It’s a very uplifting record."
The album, inspired by travels around Ireland with his wife and guitar, is grounded in the more melodic tones of rock, but a myriad of other styles, including jazz, country, and Irish traditional (and judicious use of brass) play their impacting part.
The melodic and fretboard-fluid 'The Grass is Greener,' which opens the album, underlines the story-telling nature of Fields Of Redemption through its proverb led title (Joe Hodgson’s inspired guitar play reflects longing, and chasing what might be unattainable).
The short, pacey, and fun-filled 'Shapeshifting' carries a double-edged title. Not only does the rock and roll styled piece change tempo a number of times, its title is a highly topical warning to consider if what we see in front of us is reality, or A.I. fantasy.
'Stick Or Twist' (the card/ life-flip of uncertainty) is a quirky and funky little number that flits from AC/DC riff parts, to rock, and on to cool jazz sections (the single version also sports a cute video that nods to the classic video for Robert Palmer’s 'Addicted To Love').
Ballad 'You I Think Of,' featuring the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, adds another shade to the six-string palette of Joe Hodgson (signing off with a dovetailing interpolation of Irish folk-song 'Molly Malone' (Dublin’s unofficial anthem) is a particularly nice touch). An album highlight.
'Give Her What She Wants' is a fun, full-bodied rock and roller, while 'Woman,' led by some deft and contemplative guitar rippling from Joe Hodgson, is as musically enigmatic as its title.
The blues come calling on the only vocal track on the album, 'You Had A Hold On Me.'
Featuring gravel-voiced Irish singer Glen Harkin, the love gone bad number delivers old school slow blues with an Irish whiskey chaser.
'Losing It' rocks out with fusion-funky strength and fun, up-tempo purpose before 'Blocking It Out' steps up to the melodically rocking plate, Joe Hodgson style (i.e. with a tempo changing twist or two).
Both are further highlights.
'Passing Time (Molly’s Song)' is a delightful, if all too short nod to European gypsy jazz and the likes of Django Reinhart, while 'Digging The Dirt' returns to the uplifting rock and roll stylings of 'Shapeshifter.'
The album’s second ballad, 'Picking You Apart,' is a melancholic, stripped back tale of longing and regret, here beautifully supported by the Brookspeare Music Quartet.
A touch of Nashville country introduces 'Ducking and Diving' before the tune does just that, turning and twisting before returning to its opening Nashville vibe.
The acoustic guitar and percussive rhythms of 'Moran’s Dew (Tom’s Song)' and 'The Ballad Of Joe Clarke' close out the album in fine, finger picking style.
With nine of the fifteen tracks sitting at under three minutes long, Joe Hodgson clearly champions the less is more approach.
But, by keeping the tracks so concise, yet varied in style, Fields Of Redemption becomes a more complete, inviting, and wholly accessible work – one that offers up more nuances and textures each time you play it.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
The five years later follow-up to his more rock orientated debut album Apparitions, which itself followed on from a run of being in a number of nearly made it/ coulda-shoulda bands, Fields Of Redemption is, in Hodgson’s own words, "a journey to find inner peace, punctuated by laughter and a whole lot of fun. It’s a very uplifting record."
The album, inspired by travels around Ireland with his wife and guitar, is grounded in the more melodic tones of rock, but a myriad of other styles, including jazz, country, and Irish traditional (and judicious use of brass) play their impacting part.
The melodic and fretboard-fluid 'The Grass is Greener,' which opens the album, underlines the story-telling nature of Fields Of Redemption through its proverb led title (Joe Hodgson’s inspired guitar play reflects longing, and chasing what might be unattainable).
The short, pacey, and fun-filled 'Shapeshifting' carries a double-edged title. Not only does the rock and roll styled piece change tempo a number of times, its title is a highly topical warning to consider if what we see in front of us is reality, or A.I. fantasy.
'Stick Or Twist' (the card/ life-flip of uncertainty) is a quirky and funky little number that flits from AC/DC riff parts, to rock, and on to cool jazz sections (the single version also sports a cute video that nods to the classic video for Robert Palmer’s 'Addicted To Love').
Ballad 'You I Think Of,' featuring the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, adds another shade to the six-string palette of Joe Hodgson (signing off with a dovetailing interpolation of Irish folk-song 'Molly Malone' (Dublin’s unofficial anthem) is a particularly nice touch). An album highlight.
'Give Her What She Wants' is a fun, full-bodied rock and roller, while 'Woman,' led by some deft and contemplative guitar rippling from Joe Hodgson, is as musically enigmatic as its title.
The blues come calling on the only vocal track on the album, 'You Had A Hold On Me.'
Featuring gravel-voiced Irish singer Glen Harkin, the love gone bad number delivers old school slow blues with an Irish whiskey chaser.
'Losing It' rocks out with fusion-funky strength and fun, up-tempo purpose before 'Blocking It Out' steps up to the melodically rocking plate, Joe Hodgson style (i.e. with a tempo changing twist or two).
Both are further highlights.
'Passing Time (Molly’s Song)' is a delightful, if all too short nod to European gypsy jazz and the likes of Django Reinhart, while 'Digging The Dirt' returns to the uplifting rock and roll stylings of 'Shapeshifter.'
The album’s second ballad, 'Picking You Apart,' is a melancholic, stripped back tale of longing and regret, here beautifully supported by the Brookspeare Music Quartet.
A touch of Nashville country introduces 'Ducking and Diving' before the tune does just that, turning and twisting before returning to its opening Nashville vibe.
The acoustic guitar and percussive rhythms of 'Moran’s Dew (Tom’s Song)' and 'The Ballad Of Joe Clarke' close out the album in fine, finger picking style.
With nine of the fifteen tracks sitting at under three minutes long, Joe Hodgson clearly champions the less is more approach.
But, by keeping the tracks so concise, yet varied in style, Fields Of Redemption becomes a more complete, inviting, and wholly accessible work – one that offers up more nuances and textures each time you play it.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ