Jay Ducker - Country Sober
Hailing from rural Suffolk but based in Norwich, I first became aware of Jay Ducker when he fronted Cove Hithe. Cove Hithe's Your Ground Is My Earth quickly established itself as a favourite in my collection. Cove Hithe may be no more but Ducker's solo debut walks a similar path.
Ducker’s music has its roots in folk but not in a purist, finger-in-the-ear hey-nonny-nonny kinda way. There's a delicacy and lightness of touch to the song-writing and the arrangements that brings to mind Leonard Cohen's later works, Simon & Garfunkel or a stripped back Talk Talk. With folkie acoustic and bluesy electric guitars, bass and electronics, there are touches of Americana, jazz, country and even post-rock. At times, Jay's vocals are little more than a whisper but they are always clear, with a slight husky rasping giving welcome character and individuality.
Talking about individual songs seems redundant as there are no duffers here. If I had to pick highlights, though, they would have to include the opening duo of Wild Life and New To Me whilst the haunting Pendulum Hill may be a very early contender for my song of 2017.
All in all, an intriguing and assured debut from a rising star of the local scene.
9/10
