Jason Haywood "A Thousand Miles Since Yesterday"

Independent 2012

Traditional country flecked with nuggets of later influences.

• Dedicated to Gene Clark and starting with a doomy guitar instrumental ‘A Thousand Miles Since Yesterday’ suddenly breaks free with track 2 ‘Fool Enough’ a lovely upbeat country flecked narrative that would have pleased Mr Clark himself with its bright pedal steel work and clear rich vocals.

• The feeling continues with ‘Through The Glass’ which although more pedestrian still walks the Clark template without veering into full Grand Ol Opry territory. Haywood has a simple and affirmative vocal style that possesses the ‘country lilt’ without playing to it. As the album progresses we head further into Merle Haggard and traditional country music country and as we do the album loses the impetus with which it opened. The originality (although comparable in idiom) slowly folds into the warm embrace of standard country inflections. ‘Waiting Round’ has some interesting ideas but they are smothered by the now all pervading pedal steel. It has a Beatles feel – I am the Walrus meets Buck Owens. Great to begin with but ultimately disappointing. Pity.