J.B. Boone – “Queen of Saratoga”
-I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… phrasing is an under-rated element of what makes a great song. J.B. Boone starts us off from the very beginning of this track with a beautiful sense of phrasing, timing, and meaning. The easy going acoustic guitar dances perfectly with the string work in the background. The key lyrical phrase, “nothing here is real without you” is such a relatable concept if you’ve ever suffered a truly unnerving breakup. The empathetic eye toward others in this song reminds me of what I love about artists like Anna Tivel and Ben Rector. Boone has created an exceptional modern folk song and I really think our readership will like this one, too.
Jeremy Marshall Blanton – “Same Old Stories”
-The balance between the organ, acoustic guitar, and the vocal in the opening of this song immediately capture a great mood. I have to say I love the line, “I sing John Prine better in the morning and I dance better at night.” What a great line! It’s a song ostensibly about being an artist, but it’s also about the uncertainty of knowing who you want to be. It’s a great tune to tap your toe and connect. It has moments of serious philosophical reflection and a few that will make you crack a smile. I’m sure old handsome Johnny would love to have his name associated with this fantastic track. If this song is an indicator of what 2024 has for us in music, we are absolutely ecstatic!
Mirabelle Skipworth – “The Deer Song”
-Sometimes a song reminds you of a person instantly without even thinking. It’s like the mere concept of the song or the melody itself vibrates with your experience with another human being. That has happened with me every time I’ve clicked play on this song. It’s really a remarkable song that feels like stepping into another world, like a portal into the wilderness. If you’ve ever sat in the woods and had the remarkable experience of having a deer walk close to you, this song is absolutely for you. There’s a delicate sweetness to the song that reminds me of artists like Anna Tivel and Andrea von Kampen. I’m certainly putting Mirabelle Skipworth on my list of artists to watch in acoustic folk music.
Image courtesy: Jeremy Blanton IG
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