Leeds Devil Blues by Jeff Larson

Jeff Larson’s Leeds Devil Blues, is a must get for people who wish to have the full effect of the Pine Barrens ambiance. In a fantastic sound document, Larson brings us through the sugar sand roads of his many different musical styles. This disc is a journey so to speak. Leeds Devil Blues opens with the track The Forked River Mountains, a back road upbeat folk track that leads into the beautiful Island Beach.

Jeff’s vocals are beautifully subtle and not overbearing. In the track titled Pine Barrens, one of my favorites, Jeff scurries through chords summing up his mental soundtrack of the Pines. Another similar track is Gone Fishin’. Jeff turns the corner on the title track and lets loose with not only his strong blues vocals, his impressive acoustic soloing. We come back down with the soundtrack-esque track, Life In The Swamp. Jeff shines on this as well. Shadow In The Cedars falls like rain and will remind one of guitarist Gordon Giltrap’s style of playing. Classical influences are prevalent here. In the cover piece, Lute Suite in E Minor by J.S. Bach, Jeff shows his classical training and easily glides through one of Bach’s most challenging pieces. That’s why this DJ enjoys this CD….the spontaneity. Jeff ventures into more song oriented music in the tracks Song For The Dead and The Pact. The ‘backwoods’ feeling returns in tracks like Blue Comet (in tribute to the ill fated train that once shot through the pines for many years), and Out In The Plains which has a beautiful driving melody. The album closes with the hauntingly mesmerizing traditional piece Young Catherine.

In conclusion, this is a disc that will make you feel comfortable. Don’t expect piercing keyboards or crunching guitars or even pop songs for that matter. This is a disc that, as I stated earlier, is a journey. Jeff expresses his soul and his love of the Pines through his playing and arrangements without losing the substance of the music. I think it should especially make local listeners proud that a disc like this has come from one of their own. Not to mention, Jeff showcases himself in many different lights that could appeal to fans of any genre. I wouldn’t be surprised if in 2 years, Jeff does an instrumental tribute CD to all the lost places in the Pines. It could be a tall order, but there’s no doubting Larson’s versatility or capability. Just as you hit Atsion, or wherever you like to make your starting point in the pines, press play, and enjoy this new companion. Be sure to visit his site at: http://www.jefflarsonmusic.com

Tom Gagliardi is the host of The Gagliarchives featuring the best in Progressive Rock, on Z88.9, Burlington County College Radio. He can be heard every Saturday from 10PM to 2AM on 88.9 and 95.1 FM, or streaming live over the internet at Aural Moon.