David Jacobs-Strain, "Ocean Or A Teardrop"

Cascade Blues Music Reviews

David Jacobs-Strain,

Ocean Or A Teardrop

With the release of David Jacobs-Strain’s debut recording for the NorthernBlues label in 2002, a lot of people listening to the then teenager were scratching their heads remarking, “Just how good will this kid be when he’s older?” On that release he had shown amazing depth and knowledge of Blues and Roots music with an uncanny ability to write his own songs which stood head-and-shoulders alongside covers of Blues finest masters.

Now, only a short two years later. David is fully entrenched in studies at Stanford University, but took time off this past year to lay down tracks for a follow-up to that very successful first album. One sitting devouring the sounds of this new CD, “Ocean Or A Teardrop,” will no longer leave you wondering, “How good will he be?” Rather, you’ll be asking, “Just how could he possibly be any better?”

Cover material has become minimal, with only three tunes by Fred McDowell, Sleepy John Estes and Blind Willie Johnson represented. But, even these no longer sound like the elder Bluesmen who initially recorded them. Instead, David has approached each carefully and crafted them into his own creations every bit as potent as the originals. Johnson’s “Soul Of A Man” for example; a haunting tune for certain in its original state, now possesses a stark eerie feel that sends fearsome chills with producer/sideman Kenny Passarelli supplying rhythm in the background with chains and Peter Joseph Britt running his vocals through a trash can for similar dire effect.

But, the truth of this CD does not lie within the covers, but more so with how accomplished David’s own songwriting and playing has become. He has not just stepped up a notch in his learning process, he’s traveled hundreds of miles ahead of where he’s been before. In fact, he may be many times further up the road than a great number of his contemporaries and more established artists will ever accomplish in their own lifetime. And, the journey for David is still just taking that first leap out of the gate.

The recording has a real natural feel behind the music. A lot of this has to be credited to Passarelli’s hand in the studio where he would not allow the musicians to rehearse, wanting more of a spontaneous flow. It worked. David usually plays as a solo musician, but the drive behind everyone involved brought out the best in all. It is exceptionally noted in David’s guitar on the instrumental, “Yelapa Breakdown” and “Earthquake” with their Latin flavorings, or on Estes’ “The Girl I Love” with its Bluesy finger-picking.
David’s performance and creativity here is going to draw many comparisons with artists such as Keb’ Mo’ or Otis Taylor. Frankly, I see more of the former when it comes to potential draw for cross-over appeal that this music here holds. It can easily become a staple on FM radio well beyond just a Blues audience and offer David Jacobs-Strain as an artist destined for greater fame.