Jason Edward is musician and songwriter from Minnesota who has just released his debut EP titled Taking Chances, which he created as a snapshot of his personal style of Midwestern rock and Americana. Edward states that the title “sums up the experience of stepping out of your comfort zone to take a risk, and to see what might happen while having fun with your friends.” Thematically, Edward points to his cover photo as “reflecting the brutal challenges of modern rural life, as small towns continue to dry up and fade away. It really felt like the perfect image for this debut EP, which was influenced by the rural struggles and appeal of life in the upper Midwest.”
Aside from Edward and James Travis on vocals and guitars, we have Denny McGuire on bass, Alexander Young on drums, Megan Kleven on backing vocals, Craig Johnson on cowbell and John Sievers on Trombone. Edward’s influences encompass the country and rock sounds of the late ’70s and early ‘80s, including Cross Canadian Ragweed, Reckless Kelly, and the Turnpike Troubadours. Though I’m not totally clear on this, I believe Edward’s home studio is called Mudstone Music, where the bulk of recording took place. Lead vocals were recorded with an MXL 2001 mic that Edward modified himself into a vacuum tube mic. He’s also proud of his guitar and amp combo: a 1966 Gibson ES330 through a 1963 Gibson Hawk, a Gibson Falcon, a Gretsch Rouge and a Fender Bassman. Mastering was by Greg Relerson at Rare Form Mastering. “I Give Up On Love” is a breaking-up song with a strident “walking away from you” tempo. Edward has a solid country voice, somewhat like John Prine or the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band singers. This peppy song features up-tempo country-staccato major chords, and you can really hear the differences in Edward’s amplifiers. John Sievers’ trombone adds a welcome dash of flavor. Edward dedicates this song to “anyone who has had the courage to leave a bad relationship behind” and has a fun twist ending: “Don’t you want to stop me from walking out the door?” With “Baby” Edward delivers a song about falling in love at first sight, taking us back to the start of a relationship. This one is swingin’ and unabashedly optimistic, with sweet female backing vocals by Megan Kleven. “Tail Lights” feels like Eagles boogie rock, with guitar notes that recall the Kinks’ “Victoria.” Edward says this is “a fun road song about female independence with a classic country rock feel.” I would have liked to hear more of Craig Johnson’s cowbell! “You & Me” is the first song to be based on acoustic guitar, and is about “the feelings you have asking someone to become your life partner.” I like the lyrical device of “One two three / what’s it gonna be?” The electric guitar on the left channel has a great tremolo sound, and Alexander Young’s drums feel a bit more prominent. “Money & Miracles” again begins with acoustics and is reminiscent of John Mellencamp doing his Americana thing, sung by a guy who works hard day after day, trying to build a better life. Simple and clean, with excellent guitar work and a biting solo. “Whisky Tango Foxtrot” is “a song about someone going to jail” according to the lyrics. It’s a classic 12-bar boogie in the Creedence or Grateful Dead mode, with a nice live performance sound. The choruses are especially catchy, and overall it feels like a rave up before the band packs to go. This is good time music that’s not gonna tax your brains too much, but would surely go great with a keg or two. Check Jason Edward out!
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