Laurence Jones: On My Own Review
The award-winning guitarist Laurence Jones is back with a brand new album titled On My Own. The new record scheduled for release on January 23rd via his own Ron Records, marks a new chapter in this Liverpool-born blues rock artist’s career. It’s a collection of story-driven, raw, honest, real-life inspired tracks that this virtuoso performs in a completely stripped-back, acoustic setting.
A slide guitar riff in an open tuning, accompanied by a steady foot-stomp groove in “One Life,” sets the scene for this album – minimalistic, energetic, no-nonsense, and soaked in deep emotion. “Life I Made” follows in a similar fashion. Something about the riff and the overall swagger makes this track seem like an acoustic nod to ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man”. “On My Own” is a tad more laidback, but the crisp guitar in this one is gloriously playful, the clever riff is rocking and rolling all the way through this groovy tune. Laurence reaches back decades and decades to find inspiration in early blues for the title track. Moving on to an earworm called “Get Back Up,” where old-school megaphone effect on the vocals adds a nice touch.
Two back-to-back upbeat blues bangers follow in “Ain’t Coming Back” and “Change My Ways” with some wonderful harmonies in the vocals. A slightly slower “I Gave My Life To You” moves away from the classic blues structure, and more towards a grungy vibe. Laurence then returns to the classic 12-bar blues in “I’m Giving Up”, a track that drives forward with a truly hypnotic shuffle rhythm. The guitar is drenched in chorus-y effects in “Do You Feel the Same,” adding a new colour to the sound spectrum. Jones brings the tempo right down for a slow-burner titled “Middle of the Night,” before diving into a cheerful and optimistic major-key love song titled “Beautiful”, ending the album on a high note.
Laurence really attacks the old six-string with heart, soul, and attitude throughout this record, bringing out that raw emotion and showcasing his musicianship. The tracks that make up On My Own draw inspiration from the artist’s struggles with Crohn’s disease, life on the road, and love. It is a courageous effort to perform songs that are so personal in such an intimate setting, but Laurence Jones embraces that vulnerability and delivers a truly amazing piece of work. The best thing about the songs on this album is the fact that they can be easily imagined played live on a big stage in electric versions as well as in their original format, played in a dim-lit dive bar.
The Review: 9/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– One Life
– On My Own
– I’m Giving Up
– Middle of the Night
The Big Hit
– I’m Giving Up
