Durand Jones’ solo debut album is a homage to his hometown of Hillaryville, Louisiana, which is described as ”a flourishing, insulated Black community [which] is now crumbling country lanes.” In a spoken word piece it is also presented as The Place You’d Most Want To Live
As an adolescent, Jones was not quite so smitten by the small-town ways and couldn’t wait to be gone. Only with the onset of maturity has homesickness set in. He now says “I am a proud son of Hillaryville and I am proud to be a part of its legacy.
This location, however, is more evident in the musical styles than in the lyrics. He mixes Delta blues, church spirituals, R’n’B, sweet soul music and some spoken word interludes. The atmosphere is nostalgic, artists like Marvin Gaye or Sam Cooke come to mind, but Jones powerful vocals add a vibrant contemporary edge.
The title track is straight ahead gospel while the lead single, Lord Have Mercy, is a full throttle live-band recording featuring Ben Lumsdaine on drums, Drake Ritter on guitar, Matt Romy on keyboards, and Glenn Meyer on bass.
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Of That Feeling, Jones says “This is the first breakup song I’ve ever written, and the only love song I’ve written for another man.” The affirmative Someday We’ll All Be Free features more downbeat rap verses from Skypp.
Loving awareness is tantamount and is linked to the belief that the realisation of personal dreams stem from a recognition and appreciation of one’s roots.
Durand Jones at Bandcamp
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