David Jacobs-Strain
Ocean or a Teardrop
(Northern Blues)
This record’s acoustic jolt strokes the skin as it enters the ear. Sound almost upstages the performance of the young Oregonian, who includes covers of Mississippi Fred McDowell and Sleepy John Estes alongside his own songs. A few political numbers envision upheaval and its aftermath in personal terms. Urgency overload might jab a listener who does not share Jacobs-Strain’s world view. One might suggest they read a paper, or just dig that crazy finger-picking.
—Doug Taylor
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.
