Jonas Shandel: Jonas Shandel (ep)
Jonas Shandel is best known as a member of the renowned Canadian roots outfit Headwater and the music on this 7 track ep, Shandel's first solo outing, is pretty much in the same vein as the band. Indeed, with the exception of Pat Metzger, the band all feature. The overall sound on this record is more polished and commercial sounding than Headwater but in a good way.Shandel has a fine voice and it is pushed to the forefront throughout and backed by some fine playing from the assorted cast of musicians. Time and Morning in particular are perfect vehicles for Shandel's lazy warm singing style and show him as a consummate songwriter and storyteller. The uptempo Rolling Like A Stone has a quirkiness to it that is reminiscent of a countrified Nick Cave and is perhaps the closest Shandel comes to the sound of Headwater.
The cover of Peter Gabriel's Mercy Street closes the album in atmospheric style and is a fantastic interpretation of a brilliant song. This is a record with considerable crossover appeal and a worthy showcase of Shandel's talents.
www.myspace.com/jonasshandel
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