CD Reviews
JT MORING: Lines
Even the weakest hint of OCD may be triggered by the new album by JT Moring: Just HOW does one classify this album? Folk, country, Appalachian, blues?
Those who are free of such challenges and are able to simply focus on the music will find much to enjoy.
The San Diego-based singer-songwriter writes little songs of everyday life—albeit, at times, life from decades past (trains still run over trestle bridges, but not sure how many folks fish from them these days)—full of charm, wit, and lovely little melodies.
“Me and Bob vs. The Internet” is more timely, yet just as clever, working “lol” into a rhyme, while “Econoline” recalls Townes Van Zandt’s “White Freightliner Blues.” “See the USA” harkens to an old Chevy commercial, and “Angel’s Ragtime Band” is an obvious nod to Irving Berlin’s similarly titled “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” while also serving as a closing bookend to the opening “Angel’s Landromat.”
Moring possesses a nice tenor voice and sings in an informal, conversational mode.
The mostly acoustic backing isn’t flashy—it has the conviviality of a neighborhood jam.
But that’s the vibe of the entire project: A collection of strong songs played with good-natured humor and joy.