“As a traveler and writer myself this album is very inspirational”, says fellow folk singer and songwriter Les Blackwell when we asked him about Jason Dea West’s new record, Louella. “If anything I hope you listen to it all the way through because I genuinely feel like it would be good for your soul.” Indeed a wholehearted sentiment from another tramp traveling by whatever wheels can take him towards a dream.
We aim to share more blog posts like this in the future, to give a taste of the interconnectedness of the community of traveling folk artists. Read on to see Les Blackwell’s full take on Louella, the 5th album from Jason Dea West.
“Every song really has its own feel, and every instrument feels like it's placed perfectly. From sprawling fiddle, knocking stand up bass and drums, to subtle strums and swelling slide guitar, and of course, kick ass blues riffs. It's got heartfelt lyrics that paint a picture in every song. It's a very emotionally vast album.”
Les says the experience of listening to this record “really feels like you're actually traveling through the entire album- tramping through the hot Arizona desert and rolling through the frigid Wyoming winds. It’s a journey of an album, and I think everybody would benefit from taking that journey
This is by far the best sounding record I've heard from Jason. It ain't no overproduced slop pop country style album and thank God for that. I'm legitimately surprised and impressed by the sound quality of this album.
[Louella] is taking a chance by bringing some rock elements to Jason's usual folky country blues, but it completely pays off. This is a somewhat new sound, but definitely that of Jason and his band.
The bones of every song are still aching of the blues.
Everyone that had a hand in making this should be proud.
It was a pleasure and privilege to listen to.”
Les Blackwell is a folk singer and writer of songs, an artist who is no stranger to the struggles of the road, the world of music, the spaces in which people come to gather ‘round, and the sometimes nearly invisible strings that weave us all together. We appreciate him taking the time to contribute, in between plucking his banjo, keeping an old van chuggin down the highway and staying present for a world that oftentimes doesn’t make it easy to do so. Cheers to all the musicians, listeners and good folks that loom the fabric of our culture… together.
-Honey Baby Records
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