John Doe - The Westerner

  by Carl Bookstein

published: 29 / 7 / 2016

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John Doe, of the legendary LA punk rock band X, calls 'The Westerner' his “psychedelic soul record from the Arizona desert.” The album’s remarkable cover artwork, designed by the famed Shepard Fairey plus Aaron Huey, captures mountains, desert and horses in the sun. The album is dedicated to lost friend, author Michael Blake. 'Get On Board' chimes brightly from the start. Doe’s vocal is down to earth and heartfelt, describing mountain passes and straight-aways. Rollicking keyboards and drums capture motion along a train route: “Ready or not, here it comes.” “All he ever wanted was a little patch of sunlight” is the 'Sunlight' lyric. Doe’s voice is warm and welcoming, capturing LA barrooms, seeking sunlight in the darkness. "Your job is done for today,” Doe sings on 'A Little Help' with images of sun, moon and digging ditches - very much a music of the earth. 'My Darling, Blue Skies' follows, describing a candle in the window and blue skies up above. 'Go Baby Go' features Blondie’s Debbie Harry on vocal accompaniment, on a rocking upbeat tune with a stinging guitar line and lyrics about dreams and letting it roll. 'Alone In Arizona' is sort of an album theme song: “My hearts in California/ I’m alone in Arizona,” evocative of desert landscapes, very much capturing rough roads and the blues. 'Sweet Reward' too is evocative, “This is what I’ve been praying for,” the final lyric. 'Drink of Water' is a straight ahead rocker on something of an American folk album, capturing offbeat salt of the earth characters and earthly landscapes. 'Rising Sun', the touching closer, pictures horses on the sand and dreams: “Standing at the edge of the world… waiting on the rising sun.” The song builds to a guitar driven climax, then is followed by a lyrical reprise. “In his dreams he still flies.” All in all, it is a fine and heartfelt effort by John Doe, a punk legend, here exploring earthly roots and Western horizons.

Track Listing:-

1 Get On Board
2 Sunlight
3 A Little Help
4 My Darling, Blue Skies
5 Go Baby Go
6 Alone In Arizona
7 Sweet Reward
8 Drink of Water
9 The Other Shoe
10 Rising Sun

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/theejohndoe/
http://www.theejohndoe.com/#new2016
https://twitter.com/johndoefromX
https://www.instagram.com/theejohndoe/
https://www.youtube.com/c/johndoemusicofficial

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