Josh T. Pearson exclusive album trailer #2 at amazon plus available album pre-order
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Josh T. Pearson early album review 21 January 2011
Citizen Dick: Josh T. Pearson - Last of the Country Gentlemen
(by Kevin)
(by Kevin)
Our other writer Brian and I were discussing the essential purpose of art and whether or not it diminishes in value once it's up for sale. Brian's ideal artisitic mode involves a bunch of musicians creating, recording, and editing a tune and then immediately lighting it on fire as to avoid any sort of lessining of value due to audience interaction. In other words, art is for the creator moreso than the audience. I can dig this vibe, although we'd be left with a whole lot less music to enjoy if this was the primary method.
It makes perfect sense, however, and ideally the connection between audience and artist doesn't always NEED to be pleasant. It doesn't always need to follow a definite and logical pattern, and nowhere in the rulebooks does it say that an artist is required to develop some sort of pipeline of communication with his/her audience. It's a super intriguing thought, actually. If the audience is inherently the dangerous variable in the artistic communication, then perhaps the best kind of art is where the audience listens from afar, and sort of vicariously hovers over the artist and witnesses the blood, sweat, and tears of the act of creation, and does so without commentary or evaluation. This is probably where the devaluation comes in. When audiences evaluate, something becomes less valid, less important. Although I'd never admit it in person to my pal, Brian, I agree with him more than I let on. Perhaps the best kind of art is the kind that the audience has no business even attempting to understand or evaluate. That's also what strangley draws me into the upcoming (in USA 3/29) Josh T. Pearson album, Last of the Country Gentlemen.
There are only seven songs on the album, an intensely personal and introspective album. This is Pearson (formerly known for his work with critically acclaimed Texas act, Lift to Experience) heading back into the recording studio solo for the first time since the band disbanded. Pearson's work with Lift to Experience is well known, and perhaps the last vestiges of that former time bubble up to the top quite a bit in this record, but to speak generally, this album needs no formal referencing to his back catalog, nor to his hefty collaboration work since the band's breakup. Pearson strips down the personality so omnipresent on The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads and introspectively creates something gorgeous. Truth be told, the beauty is that this album doesn't need an audience, nor is Pearson asking for any sort of evaluation, and that's precisely what allows me to hover over this record without any sort of judgment with regards to musicianship or song development. Four of the tracks are over 10 minutes long and ramble deeply into the emotional ups and downs of a broken, rebuilt, broken, and rebuilt again human being. There are pounds of guts poured into every missed note and hushed strum of the album. Pearson moves into the artistic zone often throughout the meandering tracks, leaving any inkling of his listeners far, far behind, and discerning tastes are left to reap the benefits of his toil. The value here lies not in complexity or pop-star hooks. I'm not sure I can even categorize this into a specific alt-country or even straight-laced country genre. What is powerful is this indie-rock journeyman looking inside and battling his own demons.
The album hits the shelves March 29th, which is quite awhile down the road, but this won't be the last time the blogosphere makes a mention of this album. I could regurgitate a press release and mention all of the musicians that are lining up to rally behind this thing, but that sort of defeats the general purpose of Pearson's art in the first place. I don't think he cares, which makes me care even more. Mark it on your calender and be sure to experience this insanely unique and artistically personal and relevant collection of seven tunes. The folks at Mute were nice enough to allow us to post the MP3 piano version of "Country Dumb" below, which Pearson is offering up as a free download at his website for signing up. Additionally, enjoy the videos for the aforementioned track and "Woman When I've Raised Hell", both of which are among the seven tracks on the album. I think once you see Pearson and wrap your brain around the video and track, this review will make perfect, and pleasant sense.
Sign up on Pearson's website by clicking HERE to receive updates as the album nears, and he's also giving away this MP3 there, as well.
Josh T. Pearson Country Dumb single/ Union Chapel show announcement 18 January 2011
JOSH T. PEARSON
COUNTRY DUMB – OUT 21 FEBRUARY
DEBUT ALBUM - OUT 14 MARCH 2011
UK TOUR DATES INC PURCELL ROOMS – SOLD OUT
NEW DATE ON SALE - UNION CHAPEL – 11 MAY
“I come from a long line in history of dreamers/ Each one more tired than the one before/ All of us too poor to pay attention/ Sweet dreamin' was all we could afford…”
Josh T.Pearson 2011
“Last Of The Country Gentlemen by Josh T. Pearson, the former lead singer of the Texan band Lift to Experience, is a modern classic.”
Will Hodgkinson, The Times
“Pearson is a one of a kind artist and words can't describe how fucking good Last Of The Country Gentlemen is - heavy, beautiful and brilliant.”
Mark Lanegan
“I first heard of Josh when I listened to the Lift To Experience album The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads. It was around the time I started recording the first Bat For Lashes album, and I remember being so taken aback by Josh's haunting voice, preacher-like storytelling lyrics and guitar playing... Like a doomed angel singing over a desert storm.”
Natasha Khan, Bat For Lashes
As a precursor to his Berlin-recorded debut solo album, Last Of The Country Gentlemen (released 14 March), Texan Josh T. Pearson will release the single, ‘Country Dumb’. A man whose legendary musical output has only grown in stature, many will be familiar with the short-lived phenomenon that was Lift to Experience, which released one sprawling masterpiece, 2001's The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads, before splitting up soon after. So beloved by John Peel were they that he had LTE record three sessions in five months and were included in the Best 125 Peel Sessions of all time.
An album standout, this exclusive single edit of ‘Country Dumb’ features renowned multi-instrumentalist and composer Dustin O’ Halloran on superbly subtle piano accompaniment. The release of ‘Country Dumb’ coincides with an already sold out Slaughtered Lamb show. Add to this a further sold out show at the Purcell Rooms in April, you might begin to piece together the makings of a much heralded and rapturous return. Josh T. Pearson then plays the Union Chapel on May 11 with a string quartet to round out what promises to be an outstanding clutch of London shows alongside a full UK tour.
Since the demise of Lift to Experience, Josh T. Pearson has spent many years in the wilderness, only releasing one studio recording, ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’, a split 7” single with the Dirty Three, and an appearance on the song ‘Trophy’ included on the Mercury Prize-nominated Bat for Lashes album, Fur and Gold.
Watch an exclusive version of ‘Country Dumb’ here: youtube.com/watch?v=pg_kWAD9A8k and download the piano version from www.joshtpearson.co.uk
Josh T. Pearson UK Tour Dates:
Wed 23 Feb London Slaughtered Lamb SOLD OUT
Thu 24 March Sheffield Queens Social Club
Fri 25 March Glasgow Stereo
Sun 27 March Manchester The Deaf Institute
Tue 29 March Brighton Brighton Ballroom
Wed 30 March Nottingham Bodega
Fri 1 April London Purcell Rooms SOLD OUT
Wed May 11 London Union Chapel atpfestival.com/events/jtpunionchapel.php
ON SALE NOW
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Josh T. Pearson confirmed to play End of the Road 2011
http://www.endoftheroadfestival.com/news/midlake-the-fall-wild-beasts-among-first-confirmations-for-end-of-the-road-2011/
http://www.endoftheroadfestival.com/news/midlake-the-fall-wild-beasts-among-first-confirmations-for-end-of-the-road-2011/
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