The Background:
Mississippi native Jason Eady has come full circle on his third and latest album, When the Money's All Gone, delivering southern gospel stomps, New Orleans soul, and the heartbreaking tide of sin and redemption through his rich baritone voice and a raucous band. Produced by critically acclaimed songwriter, Kevin Welch, the album comes as both a calming voice for the current times and as a timeless album of blue-eyed, southern soul music. The songs sound from the voice of a sage poet that's made it through the storm to see the other side, all the while knowing it's going to come again. When the Money’s All Gone is a musical tour of the gothic American south, filled with tales of money woes and love gone wrong.
The Review:
It’s hard to not make an analogy to gumbo on this album by Jason Eady. The uniquely creole dish, most recognized for being from Eady’s neck of the woods, is a rare collection of ingredients and cultures. Everything is thrown in the pot. Eady’s done the same, making a delicious recipe of blues, soul, R&B, Cajun, plenty of country, a pinch of gospel and a hint of rock and roll. As Rachel Ray says so eloquently, “Yum-O.” Jason Eady lets his strong baritone vocals sparkle on the album, but it’s the songwriting and song selection that gets the highest marks. Each song is as socially relevant with a theme drawn out from the tough times we're living in. One of our favorite tracks of the year is the outstanding, classic story-song "Promises In Pieces." Filled with fiddle and steel guitar, the song tells the confessional and somberly haunting tale of someone who shoots a teller during a bank robbery and whose friend, the only friend that continues to give him second chances, takes the fall for the crime and is hanged. Like many of the songs, it’s positively and hypnotically captivating. Along the same vein of songs is “Cane River Blues.” It’s another interesting and somewhat doom-destined song about a poverty-stricken Louisiana sugarcane cutter who is forced to go on the lam after using a shotgun on the trooper who killed his brother. The album starts out with a cajun-style gospel-tinged party song "God Fearing Blues" that’s “claptastic.” Yes, I just made a new word. If you’re sitting in Preservation Hall and hear a great New Orleans tune and can’t help but clap along, it’s “claptastic.” Outside of that first track, Eady never ventures far up-tempo on the album. However, there is one phenomenal slower track called “Cry Pretty.” It’s a conversational song about the awkwardness and rush of emotions about unexpectedly running into an ex-girlfriend while you’re new flame is waiting for you in the car. Crying pretty is his ex’s legacy- the title itself is just a terrific combination of lyrics. When The Money's All Gone is a brilliantly written album that deserves your full attention. Throw it on the stereo, lay back on the couch, close your eyes and just listen. You’ll thank me. And probably be hungry for a little gumbo…
Sounds Like:
A Hal Ketchum Like Storyteller With A Joe Nichols Voice- All Drenched In Country-Tinged Cajun Blues
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
God Fearing Blues
When The Money’s All Gone
Cry Pretty
Cane River Blues
Promises In Pieces
Maybe I’ll Stay Awhile
The Verdict:
Four And A Half Stars Out Of Five
Mississippi native Jason Eady has come full circle on his third and latest album, When the Money's All Gone, delivering southern gospel stomps, New Orleans soul, and the heartbreaking tide of sin and redemption through his rich baritone voice and a raucous band. Produced by critically acclaimed songwriter, Kevin Welch, the album comes as both a calming voice for the current times and as a timeless album of blue-eyed, southern soul music. The songs sound from the voice of a sage poet that's made it through the storm to see the other side, all the while knowing it's going to come again. When the Money’s All Gone is a musical tour of the gothic American south, filled with tales of money woes and love gone wrong.
The Review:
It’s hard to not make an analogy to gumbo on this album by Jason Eady. The uniquely creole dish, most recognized for being from Eady’s neck of the woods, is a rare collection of ingredients and cultures. Everything is thrown in the pot. Eady’s done the same, making a delicious recipe of blues, soul, R&B, Cajun, plenty of country, a pinch of gospel and a hint of rock and roll. As Rachel Ray says so eloquently, “Yum-O.” Jason Eady lets his strong baritone vocals sparkle on the album, but it’s the songwriting and song selection that gets the highest marks. Each song is as socially relevant with a theme drawn out from the tough times we're living in. One of our favorite tracks of the year is the outstanding, classic story-song "Promises In Pieces." Filled with fiddle and steel guitar, the song tells the confessional and somberly haunting tale of someone who shoots a teller during a bank robbery and whose friend, the only friend that continues to give him second chances, takes the fall for the crime and is hanged. Like many of the songs, it’s positively and hypnotically captivating. Along the same vein of songs is “Cane River Blues.” It’s another interesting and somewhat doom-destined song about a poverty-stricken Louisiana sugarcane cutter who is forced to go on the lam after using a shotgun on the trooper who killed his brother. The album starts out with a cajun-style gospel-tinged party song "God Fearing Blues" that’s “claptastic.” Yes, I just made a new word. If you’re sitting in Preservation Hall and hear a great New Orleans tune and can’t help but clap along, it’s “claptastic.” Outside of that first track, Eady never ventures far up-tempo on the album. However, there is one phenomenal slower track called “Cry Pretty.” It’s a conversational song about the awkwardness and rush of emotions about unexpectedly running into an ex-girlfriend while you’re new flame is waiting for you in the car. Crying pretty is his ex’s legacy- the title itself is just a terrific combination of lyrics. When The Money's All Gone is a brilliantly written album that deserves your full attention. Throw it on the stereo, lay back on the couch, close your eyes and just listen. You’ll thank me. And probably be hungry for a little gumbo…
Sounds Like:
A Hal Ketchum Like Storyteller With A Joe Nichols Voice- All Drenched In Country-Tinged Cajun Blues
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
God Fearing Blues
When The Money’s All Gone
Cry Pretty
Cane River Blues
Promises In Pieces
Maybe I’ll Stay Awhile
The Verdict:
Four And A Half Stars Out Of Five
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