Jason Ringenberg: Best Tracks And Side Tracks 1979-2007

Elly Roberts reviews

Jason Ringenberg: Best Tracks And Side Tracks 1979-2007
Distributed by
Jerkin’ CrocusCover

  • Released: Out now
  • Rating: 6/10
  • Format: 2-CD set
  • Vote and comment on this album:

Jason Ringenberg has been credited with influencing the roots-based surge in indie-country-rock fusion movement of the mid 80s which, in part, lead to the present genre, Americana.

Building on his work, bands and solo artists have taken the style to a fargreater level in terms of overall quality. Listening to some of this work, itsounds almost twee and amateurish by today’s standards. His voice is also veryweak for the rough ‘n’ ready stuff. This whopping back-catalogue spanning 28years has some dreadfully dated material – Punk Rock Skunk for example,combined with some good up-to-date songs.

Illinois Ringenberg’s forte is at the softer end of countrified rootsy balladslike The Price Of Progress, and pedal steel driven ballad She Hung The Moonand divine Addie Rose.Shuffling country rocker Shop It Around is decent enough a start, butbluesy The Life Of The Party is rather shambolic, and dated.


Bible And A Gun (with Steve Earl) and A Pocketful Of Soul are the kind of songs BruceSpringsteen laid down on his tribute to Pete Seeger (We Shall Overcome:The Seeger Sessions), and it’s noticeable that the quality of songwritinghas vastly improved due to Earl’s co-writing credit on Bible And A Gun.

He also does a good job on the hoe-down romp of lightweight Rainbow Stew, which surely gives a nod to the wonderful Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Like thesong of the same name by Bruce Springsteen, Born To Run, is a beltingrocker complete with bottle neck slides, chomping piano and catchy chorus, whileProsperity Train owes much to Stevie Ray Vaughan’s high-octane blues.

Arguably, the album’s finest moments are the country sways of Eddie Rode The Orphan Trainand jaunty Half The Man. Moose On The Loose has a heavy ’60s influence andis a real fun track with a punchy comedic hook.

Just when things were getting seriously classy on a duet with Kristi Rose,Ringenberg destroys the mellow Lovely Christmas with maddening rock blasts.When Ringenberg hits form, it’s exceptional, but far too rare. Mom’s 70th Birthday Songis a sweet dedication to his mother, and possibly his best vocal performance bya mile.

There are 30 tracks, all of which can be seen via the Amazon link above,and these include Shop It Around, Camille With Swan Drive, She Hung TheMoon, Rainbow, Born To Run, A Pocketful Of Soul, Half The Man, The Sailor’sEyes, Who’s Gonna Feed Them Hogs?

File under: Influential, yes. Great? No way.

Weblink:jasonringenberg.com

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