Jason Steel is another boy with a beard performing rustic, old fashioned country folk on acoustic guitar and banjo but it has to be said he's pretty good at it. Of the many people doing this type of thing at the moment he mostly recalls Leeds very own wonder of the six string Michael Rossiter in that his playing has a loose agricultural feel and that his vocals are slightly untidy but the songs seem to come from the heart, elevating this kind of thing above the hoards that don't really mean it maaan. Micah Blue Smaldon is another recent name to spring to mind as comparison. Theres lots of space left for raw finger picking with vocals only interjecting when they need to. Possibly lacking in the dynamics that make something like Charlie Parr's 'Roustabout' so compelling and not left field or innovative enough to compete with your Jack Roses and James Blackshaws yet very pleasant indeed and highly recommended to those who like some drifting rural folk music to go alongside a pint of real ale of an evening.
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Sound clips for Fire Begot Ash by Jason Steel: on CD at Norman Records UK. CD, Rif Mountain, RM-002CD, £7.69.
Jason Steel is a guitarist and singer hailing from South Yorkshire, now firmly settled in North London. In 2008 he joined the ranks of The Owl Service and their 'Midwich Collective', and now, following 3 critically acclaimed EP releases, Rif Mountain bring you his debut long player. Drawing on the lineage of Skip James and Elizabeth Cotton, through Jackson C Frank, to Bert and John, exuding qualities that these days seem as rare as hen's teeth, the result is an album ofcompelling, affecting music.
Single CD in digipack sleeve with 8 page booklet containing Jason's notes and sketches. This is the first album release on Rif Mountain, a new label formed by the founder members of Midwich Records.
