|
|
|
|
In an age where many musicians make claims they are multi-genre, all over the map musically, very few truly pull it off. Yet Harrison Cofer is able to offer you a musical smorgasbord in a beautifully thorough and impactful way. In a sampling from three albums he recorded in 2015 (first off, it’s awesome he’s done that much recording in less than a year), you get a little bit of everything from the artist currently living in Brooklyn, New York. The first album from January 2015, “Y’All Time Best,” lets Harrison show off his rock-a-billy, country boogie skills that makes you want to pack up and go to Nashville. On the first track “The First Thing I Want,” he is joined by Hannah Dowdy, who adds a little Emmylou Harris fare to the chorus. The album throughout keeps true to country with a steel guitar, lonesome blues motif and even a little extra honkytonk piano served up on the side. On “You Don’t Live Twice,” he’s just having plain old fun singing: “We all deserve a little fun in our lives.”
On the album “Server” recorded in February 2015, Harrison offers up something entirely different musically. The opening track “Date Night in New York,” sets the tone perfectly. It’s a Lou Reed/Velvet Underground, punk New York revival in your face, begging for Little Steven to spin the tune on his Underground Garage. The reverb is cranked up for the album and the Dick Dale influences are hard to ignore. Lots of artists might have an appreciation for both country and punk, but it’s truly astounding to see Harrison make the flip from country crooner to punk thrasher! “Highschool Dance,” also keeps the punk form but with a touch of Dylan’s “Maggie's Farm,” thrown in there. “Wander,” the final track continues with the reverb and distortion but drifts away in a blissful Hendrix style jamming with chunky bass, minimal drumming, and one funky ass guitar. No singing is present on the track lending itself even more to the wandering vibe that it lays down. Could a live performance offer even more open ended jamming? The style of recording and distortion also makes it sound like it could have been done in the 60s or 70s, something that I love.
And if all of that wasn’t enough we get the February 2015 recorded “105 to 50 Fade On Down.” Keeping with his multi-genre, multi-faceted array, Harrison switches on to Jim James Americana mode on “Cozy Jail,” a folk explosion of bouncing acoustic chords with a well-placed pick-up of pace halfway through the song. It starts slow and peaceful then builds into a triumph traveling song. Minimal tight crafted guitar to accompany thought provoking lyrics like “where no man’s wrong to meet the dawn.” On the somber, “Dark Saloon,” Harrison further shows off his acoustic guitar chops. The other worldly nature of his voice on these songs brings to mind the emotion of Jeff Buckley and the edge of Dylan in his “Lay Lady Lay,” years. Other standout songs include “Down,” and “The Hawk,” all keeping to Harrison’s Americana, Folk precision on the album. “105 to 50 Fade On Down” flows beautifully and is truly one of those selection of songs that plays itself. Let the songs roll along and enjoy the ride. “Down” features some very strong and fun violin playing that perfectly compliments the rolling guitar rhythms and light drum brush strokes. “The Hawk” further displays Harrison’s roots rock ability and his soul bearing vocals truly make you feel connected to his artistry. “Waves” much like “Wander” from “Server” offers a cool trippy fade out to end things. Unlike “Wander,” though “Waves,” features soothing acoustic guitar and harmonizing vocals that conjure thoughts of being taken away with the tides.
There you have it: Country, Punk, Americana. All wrapped into one artist named Harrison Cofer. Let his music take you on a musical voyage and set sail for the unknown. Wherever his music goes, it promises to be enjoyable and I promise you’ll find something to connect with. Harrison will reunite with The Dirty Names for a night of Rock and Roll Mind Control at Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge in Annapolis on Saturday, July 4th. Little Bird will open the show.
On the album “Server” recorded in February 2015, Harrison offers up something entirely different musically. The opening track “Date Night in New York,” sets the tone perfectly. It’s a Lou Reed/Velvet Underground, punk New York revival in your face, begging for Little Steven to spin the tune on his Underground Garage. The reverb is cranked up for the album and the Dick Dale influences are hard to ignore. Lots of artists might have an appreciation for both country and punk, but it’s truly astounding to see Harrison make the flip from country crooner to punk thrasher! “Highschool Dance,” also keeps the punk form but with a touch of Dylan’s “Maggie's Farm,” thrown in there. “Wander,” the final track continues with the reverb and distortion but drifts away in a blissful Hendrix style jamming with chunky bass, minimal drumming, and one funky ass guitar. No singing is present on the track lending itself even more to the wandering vibe that it lays down. Could a live performance offer even more open ended jamming? The style of recording and distortion also makes it sound like it could have been done in the 60s or 70s, something that I love.
And if all of that wasn’t enough we get the February 2015 recorded “105 to 50 Fade On Down.” Keeping with his multi-genre, multi-faceted array, Harrison switches on to Jim James Americana mode on “Cozy Jail,” a folk explosion of bouncing acoustic chords with a well-placed pick-up of pace halfway through the song. It starts slow and peaceful then builds into a triumph traveling song. Minimal tight crafted guitar to accompany thought provoking lyrics like “where no man’s wrong to meet the dawn.” On the somber, “Dark Saloon,” Harrison further shows off his acoustic guitar chops. The other worldly nature of his voice on these songs brings to mind the emotion of Jeff Buckley and the edge of Dylan in his “Lay Lady Lay,” years. Other standout songs include “Down,” and “The Hawk,” all keeping to Harrison’s Americana, Folk precision on the album. “105 to 50 Fade On Down” flows beautifully and is truly one of those selection of songs that plays itself. Let the songs roll along and enjoy the ride. “Down” features some very strong and fun violin playing that perfectly compliments the rolling guitar rhythms and light drum brush strokes. “The Hawk” further displays Harrison’s roots rock ability and his soul bearing vocals truly make you feel connected to his artistry. “Waves” much like “Wander” from “Server” offers a cool trippy fade out to end things. Unlike “Wander,” though “Waves,” features soothing acoustic guitar and harmonizing vocals that conjure thoughts of being taken away with the tides.
There you have it: Country, Punk, Americana. All wrapped into one artist named Harrison Cofer. Let his music take you on a musical voyage and set sail for the unknown. Wherever his music goes, it promises to be enjoyable and I promise you’ll find something to connect with. Harrison will reunite with The Dirty Names for a night of Rock and Roll Mind Control at Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge in Annapolis on Saturday, July 4th. Little Bird will open the show.
Photo courtesy of Knaggs Guitars
RSS Feed