December 12, 2024

Skylight Webzine

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John Douglas – Still or Sparkling? EP

John Douglas’ Still or Sparkling? EP is a devoted collection of acoustic tracks that  combine folk, pop, and soul, delivering a quiet but strong listening experience. The EP, featuring colleagues such as Boo Hewerdine, Alan Kelly, Kevin McGuire, and Eddi Reader, has a broadness of musicianship and lyrical tenderness that  feels personal.

Still or Sparkling?: The EP’s title track is a playful but melancholic acoustic composition centered around Douglas’ storytelling vocals and beautiful fingerpicking. The song achieves a balance between folk authenticity and pop connectivity, resulting in a warm mood. Douglas’ vocal performance is real and sincere, bringing listeners into a story that is genuine.

Lost (band version): With dreamy, Neil Young-inspired vocals and a melody that is both sad and hopeful, this piece brings nostalgia. The repeating refrain, “I am lost, baby I am lost,” reveals a deep emotional core wrapped in an engaging acoustic setting. The sound suggests pop influences, nevertheless the folk roots are still present, creating an emotional atmosphere that hits a deep chord.

Across the Bridge, Where Angels Live: This duet, which has emotional and nostalgic significance, is unique for the soft interplay between male and female vocals. Lines like “Beyond the place that time is still” bring a poetic melancholy, while the soft accordion and acoustic guitar create a dreamy, almost cinematic atmosphere. This song feels like an organic meditation on love and memory, giving an experience of beautiful melancholy.

Johnsburg, Illinois: This tune, which closes the EP, is more heavily influenced by folk traditions, providing a soulful ballad filled with love and nostalgia. Douglas’s straightforward, peaceful vocal performance, along with the warm tones of the double bass and accordion, results in a beautiful and sincere finale. The song’s gentle simplicity contributes to its attractiveness with a warm and pleasant way.

In conclusion, John Douglas’ EP Still or Sparkling? reveals his innovative use of acoustic sounds and warm vocals to express emotions of love, sorrow, and nostalgia. Each tune is a jewel, giving something distinct while maintaining an identical musical spectrum.

Photo Credit: photo by Stephanie Gibson

https://johndouglas.bandcamp.com/album/john-douglas-2023

https://www.instagram.com/jrdouglasesq

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