The Jonah Kit - American Songbag

If you want to call The Jonah Kit's hard-bitten acoustic music 'folk,' you have to qualify it - this is acerbic Americana that's just as at home in a raunchy barroom as it is in an intimate coffeehouse; this is folk music with blood in it's veins. It's a refreshing spin on the singer-songwriter tradition that draws inspiration from the indignant, inflexibly at-odds-with-the-world misfits of decades past: Hank Williams, Fred Neil, Townes Van Zandt, Lou Reed. A sound that blends folk, punk, country, and rock with literate, honest lyrics to create something new, impassioned, and real. From the unpredictable vocals and guitar of Jonah Watchman-soft-spoken one minute, explosive the next-to the dynamic grooves of upright bassist Dave Herman and drummer Taylor Still, The Jonah Kit is unique in their attention to stylistic range, expression, and boldness. Each song conjures it's own scene, a combined evocation of character, location, atmosphere, and emotion that is reminiscent of the dark, immersive grit of old westerns or film noir. In fact, The Jonah Kit will catch audiences off-guard if they're expecting a milder brand of acoustic music. But when an audience catches on to what the band is doing-when it sees that the trio is taking folk traditions to their outer limits-that audience responds with the kind of cheers and howls reserved for only the most original genre-benders. AMERICAN SONGBAG CREDITS: Produced by Paul Tumolo and Jonah Watchman Tracks #2,3,5,10,11 co-produced by Andrew Carr All songs written by Jonah Watchman Arrangements by The Jonah Kit All tracks recorded, mixed, and mastered by Paul Tumolo at Wildplum Studio in Oakland, CA The Jonah Kit: Jonah Watchman: acoustic guitar, vocals Dave Herman: upright bass Taylor Still: drums, percussion Additional musicians: Mayne Smith: dobro on #1, pedal steel on #9 Bruce Gordon: piano on #2,5, organ on #3,6, accordion on #4,8 Craig Ventresco: 2nd guitar on #7,11.

1) Uncle Cadillac
2) Rebound Shit
3) Something in Me Takes to Damnation
4) Another
5) I've Got Something in My Eye
6) Mercy Kit
7) Something's Turned in You
8) Open Range
9) Amarillo Girl
10) Sneer of Beauty
11) Even My Dog Done Made a Fool Outta Me