jack j hutchinson - beyond the great divide

Jack J Hutchinson

Beyond The Great Divide
self-released; 2013

3.8 out of 5

By Dan Donley

Beyond the Great Divide by Jack J. Hutchinson was recorded on the road and is a six-song EP that has elements of psychedelic, folk and rock. The songs are powerful, exuberant pieces of work that showcase Hutchinson’s incredible guitar playing as well as his ability to write a good tune. What’s most interesting about his work is that is Americana rock but I swear I heard some traces of 80’s elements in there. I think it was his vocal delivery. I didn’t mind it and it actually worked quite well all things considered. The songs are straightforward as the guitar and vocals are the main focal points of these songs and there is no studio trickery going on here

The first song “Too Much Too Soon” starts with a brief cough before you are introduced to some badass slide guitar. I was expecting to hear Jack White singing but instead it reminded more of Bret Michaels. I know this sounds bad but it somehow works and I really enjoyed it. As I mentioned previously something about the vocals has an 80’s glam vibe. The guitar just shreds in this song and that is reason enough to give a listen. Some of the songs are hit or miss but I really enjoyed “Long Way Down” which had a horribly infectious vocal melody and I adored the strings at the end. I was hoping that it would last a bit longer. I think Hutchinson really stepped into his own with “Smile” which is an acoustic number that was a couple of guitars and his voice. It sounded like something I would hear if I turned on the radio in 1972. This was a pretty good album. The songwriting was solid, the vocals were melodic and the guitar was exceptional. Take a listen.

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