Band: Jackson Hollow
Album: Roses
Release Date: March 10, 2023
Genre: Bluegrass
Award-winning Cloverdale, BC-based bluegrass group Jackson Hollow has recently unveiled their ten-track album, Roses.
A bluegrass-leaning record that touches on Americana and traditional country roots – but with a distinct modern polish – Roses features ten hand-picked songs from twenty songwriters from past and present. American stalwarts Melba Montgomery, Jerry Salley, Carl Jackson, and Leslie Satcher are among the notable talents alongside gifted Canadians Patricia Conroy, Doug Folkins, Duane Steele, Jake Mathews, and Maddison Krebs. CCMA Award-winner Tom McKillip (Aaron Pritchett, Lisa Brokop) produced six tracks on the record, while Jackson Hollow self-produced four – only adding to the care, craftsmanship, and overall authenticity of the final album.
Tianna Lefebvre, the lead vocalist of Jackson Hollow, says,
“We wanted to create a collection of music that is more timeless than commercial. Everything from the choice of songs on ‘Roses’ to the instruments reflects a classic sound we believe in but with the advantages of modern recording.”
“The album is a love letter to the music that grabs us as artists. We feel that through the songs on Roses – which range from happy and joyful all the way to the sad and contemplative – we can showcase the bluegrass genre to those waiting to discover it, while respecting the pioneers who started it,” adds Mike Sanyshyn, the group’s fiddle and mandolin player and harmony vocalist.
The previous single, “Shallow Rivers,” comes in at track two with a traditional bluegrass sound and features solid vocals, intricate instrumentation, and tight harmonies. The lyrics, “I’ve been drinking from shallow rivers, Wading into a love that comes and goes, What my heart needs is deeper water, Cause shallow rivers don’t satisfy my soul,” communicates a sincere message defining what it’s like to yearn for the perfect soulmate.
“Can’t Stop Now” shows a whole other side of the group, with high-energy evoked in our aspect of the track. Tianna’s vocals combine influences from multiple genres, such as country, bluegrass, roots, and even some blues thrown in there. The highlight of “Can’t Stop Now” is definitely the fast-paced vocal delivery, which is only topped by the energetic music throughout the track. I imagine this track would be a treat to see performed live.
Roses offers a rich and varied listening experience combining traditional acoustic instrumentation with emotionally charged vocals and storytelling. Jackson Hollow excels at delivery and performance, whether a ballad or an intense, upbeat track.