Outsider visionary Jad Fair just keeps on going having been active for half a century.
Now he benefits from the support and security of Fire Records so he can add a little polish to his lo-fi indie sound.
Having started out in Maryland, USA, this latest ‘Adventure’ was recorded in London at Vacant TV.
For this incarnation of Half Japanese he is backed by Jason Willett (bass, keyboards), Gilles-Vincent Rieder (drums, percussion), John Sluggett (guitar, piano, bass), Mick Hobbs (guitar) and Euan Hinshelwood (guitar, saxophone, piano, harmonica). Sadly, Mick Hobbs a member for over 30 years, passed away last year.
That's Fate and Stars Don't Lie are riffs on destiny (embrace it!) and Meant To Be is a good example of the quirky approach to love songs ( “If I was a tree you’d be my roots”)
Of Lemonade Sunset Jad Fair says “When I wrote the lyrics, two songs came to mind, Louis Armstrong’s ‘It’s A Wonderful World’ and Syd Barrett’s ‘Baby Lemonade’, it’s a bit of a nod to those songs.”
The title track is a guitar shredding instrumental to show they haven’t gone completely soft.
Overall, the 12 snappy songs on this album live up to the billing as ”upbeat sonnets celebrating the power of love, affection and maturity.”
Joy is the driving force and the record is dedicated to a world of wonder.
God knows we need more of this spirit of optimism to shine through these days.
