The latest album from singer songwriter Matt Patershuk titled An Honest Effort is a walk on the wild side with eleven songs that are packed with imagery and characters inhibiting the songs all who try to make an honest redemptive effort with varying degrees of success. Backed by fellow musicians Steve Dawson (guitars/pedal steel/Weissenborn), Gary Craig (drums/percussion), Jeremy Holmes (bass/mandolin), Fats Kaplin (banjo/fiddle/harmonica/ukulele) and Keri Latimer (harmony vocals) the musicians create a country roots sound fitting the lyrics. "Johanna" a story about a lost woman kicks off the album with a laid back vibe that sets the album's mood other tracks of note include the waltz time story of "Jupiter the Flying Horse", "Turn Up The Radio" about aging gracefully and "Sunny" about a woman trapped in a bad situation (both of these songs feature dazzling guitar work from Dawson), the hymn like dirge "Afraid to Speak Her Name" and the unabashed love song "Stay With Me". This reviewer's personal favorites include the outstanding country ballad "1.3 Miles" filled with fiddles, banjo and outstanding harmony vocals from Latimer and "Shane MacGowen" written for the legendary Pogues singer that is sure to make you smile (pun intended).
Black Hen Music
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