Jeffrey Halford & the Healers
KEROSENE
Shoeless 25543
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This is one of those discs that cause that great blurring of the lines when you look for the easy way to categorize a disc. It has the feeling of a singer/songwriter, folk/blues disc, as the songs are more story oriented and written by the performer, but it is played with a band that is electrified and taking those rock and roll solo breaks, though not extended breaks. However you want to classify it, if you must do so, this is a band and songwriter that should be taken note of. He not only has something to say, he says it in an interesting manner, and does it in an entertaining fashion. Halford plays a gritty blues influenced guitar, and does some very piquant slide guitar work to compliment his songs. One of the tunes that require a good listen is his CREOLE MOON. His use of the slide guitar helps propel the song into its spicier more natural groove, bringing up just a trace of the mysterious lurking swamp. Just as his use of acoustic guitar supports the ideas he is conveying in KEROSENE. His songs take in the broad American vistas, ranging from city sensibilities to the open stretches of America that are sparsely populated. His writing has the sparseness of poetic sensibility, yet draws rather vivid images that bring his characters into a sharp focus so they don't stay as cardboard silhouettes. He seems to be an astute observer of his surroundings and uses this gift with words and music to convey his vision to the listener in a way that rings with a truth. The band, The Healers, is a tight and well functioning unit. They provide more than a secure base for him to stretch. They give him the solid underpinning that is necessary for success. This is a gifted and talented voice that is going to come into a clear sharp focus, and burst upon the A list of players maybe with this disc, but definitely very soon. It is too talented a voice to leave to the enjoyment of only those in the Bay area, which he calls home following, for too long. I have a feeling this is a band that grows in many dimensions when you see them perform.
Produced by - Thom Canova and Jeffrey Halford
Songs - all songs written by Jeffrey Halford - no times given
1 CALIFORNIA
2 A THOUSAND TIMES
3 ON A ROLL
4 STELLA GUITAR
5 BEAUTY IN YOU
6 PABLO AND ME
7 ROLLING SEA
8 CREOLE MOON
9 KEROSENE
10 DRIVIN ALONE
11 BAD LUCK
The Healers
Jeffrey Halford - vocals, acoustic, electric, and slide guitar
Greg Reeves - bass
Trey Sabatelli - drums
Jeffrey "Chief" Potter - background vocals, piano, organ, harp, bass (tracks 4,5,6,7,10) and acoustic guitar (track 8)
Guest Artists
Hines - percussion (tracks 4,5,7,9,11)
Rich "Goldie" Goldstein - slide guitar (tracks 5,9)