Patrick Stanfield Jones – A Heart and an Open Road – Motema Music – MTM-39, 54:56 ****:
(Patrick Stanfield Jones – electric and acoustic guitars, vocals, organ; Barry Wiesenfeld – bass; Don Gardner – drums; Steven “Muddy” Roues – harmonica; Rave Tesar – organ, clarinet; Jana Herzen – backup vocals; Kit McClure – tenor saxophone; Erik Lawrence – baritone saxophone; Chip Larison – guitar)
Sometimes it takes over thirty years to become an overnight sensation. Patrick Stanfield Jones has been refining his blues, country rock, folk and jazz repertoire with determination and purpose. He has performed with his own band in the New England area, toured with national theatre companies, and even sung tenor in classical choirs, delving into Mozart and Beethoven.
Not surprisingly, Stanfield’s debut, A Heart and an Open Road reflects an experienced and confident musician. The opening title track gets the album off to a flying start. This ebullient rocker is punctuated by crisp guitar solos, and strong polished singing. A rockabilly blues number, “Hammer “conjures up a 50’s Memphis sound, with a growling vocal, rhythmic acoustic guitar and harmonica adjunct. As a change of pace, Stanfield offers a jump swing original, “Crazy “Bout You”, performed with a vintage 1934 Gibson L4, and driven by a funky tenor and baritone sax combination. Delicate sentiment illuminates “If You Were My Baby”, and a raunchy (blaring sax, guitar, and “altered” electronic voice) “Yo Do De Do” exhibit opposing views of love.
Covers have a distinct and unconventional presence. “Sunshine of Your Love”, an iconic acid blues hit, receives a jazzier rendition with a smooth guitar line (possibly a homage to Wes Montgomery), organ solo, and saxophone presence. Stanfield pays tribute to the Cream, while avoiding imitation. In covering the standard, “The Best Is Yet To Come”, comparisons with Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett will be impossible, due to the hard-edged guitar, and virtual punk vocal. Perhaps the standout translation is the Mike Guaranga amusing sketch of heartbreak, “The Whiskey (Don’t Bring Me Down)”. The mood is etched in a burlesque musical tone, complemented by the authentic, skilled vocals.
With a bountiful thirteen tracks, and nearly fifty-five minutes, the listener will get an opportunity to experience a singer/songwriter in great depth.
TrackList: A Heart and an Open Road; No One Ever Tells You; Block Of Ice; Whiskey (Don’t Bring Me Down); Crazy ‘Bout You; Lisa; Hammer; Sunshine Of Your Love; Love Attack; The Best Is Yet To Come; If You Were My Baby; Yo Do De Do; Changing Of The Guard.
— Robbie Gerson
