Jack Day
Album: The First Ten
Label: Bucketfull Of Brains
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.jackday.net

I've been fortunate enough to witness Jack Day's build up to his debut album, his appearances on Bob's Folk Show, at gigs such as the London Folk And Roots Festival and it's fair to say I've been impressed. I was delighted to hear that he'd that he'd got an album deal and it would be fair to say, having heard his new album, "The First Ten" I'd have to say I'm absolutely ecstatic.

Jack Day is a poet that sits in an Americana influenced guitarist's body. It turns out he's a pretty good producer as well. With the exception of some vocals from Bryony Afferson(Just A Little Time), gob iron from Pepe Belmont(Isn't It Strange) and piano from Graham Knight(No One Moves Like You, I Have Been Conveyed), this is his own work. What really impresses me is Jack's restraint, when you're doing so much on your own albums, it can be too easy to over indulge Mr Day does not give into temptation and the result is impressive.

This is an album that moves you from the opening "I Often Think Of You" to the closing "It's A Girls' World" this album takes you on a muses journey, sometimes emotional, sometimes social, sometimes philosophical, but at all times engaging.

The sound bounces off the edge of Americana, it's there to be heard, but neither dominates, nor detracts and in many ways that makes the album more accessible and should hopefully broaden its appeal, not that that would be a difficult task for something of this quality, but hopefully it will encourage radio play.

I've really enjoyed listening to "The First Ten" and can't wait to hear more. Hopefully Jack Day is a name you'll hear a lot during 2013, it deserves to be. This is one of those albums that's easy to recommend because not only is it a fine example of the songwriter's art, it's exquisitely performed.

Neil King