I reach over to deal with an unruly eyelash. Oh shit. Out falls my contact. I can sense it more than see it, the vision in my right eye blurred.The song begins warmly, an invitation to sit in the corner and rest your tired feet, close your blinking eyes. Justin Jones' voice never tells you what to think, but by the end you'll know how to feel. It's - I won't hesitate to say - beautiful, and tense, standing on the edge of something so terrifying you can't help but ache for it.
Passing through MississippiJustin Jones is a fellow Virginian, hailing from the Shenandoah Valley; currently, he's based out of DC. He'll be floating around Virginia through November and December, playing at JMU on November 14th. More dates here. Fans of Ryan Adams will find solace in Justin Jones' music.
Swerving like a whirling gypsy
The calm in me I have not felt before
There was something on that summer breeze
It held me close and kissed the trees
Tell you I will never know for sure
Justin Jones & the Driving Rain - Let's Stay Together [download or die]
Justin Jones & the Driving Rain - Long way down
Buy ...and I am the song of the drunkards
Justin Jones' Website/Myspace
Labels: artist profile, justin jones, song piece, VA pride
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Justin Jones really is amazing.
"Let's Stay Together" builds up a cruising speed and rides it out for a few minutes, then after those lines you quote, just drops that climactic breakdown. Perfect.
If you haven't already, make sure you go see Jones and the Driving Rain next time they're in your neck of the woods. If the full band is around, horns and all, it's a mighty impressive spectacle. These guys are pros.
My name is Brad and I have seen justin many times and am a big fan of his music.
The only way to try to explain it in words is.. While listening to his music brimming with honesty and emotionality, he opens us up by bringing us back to the humanity we all know.. As the song deepens he takes us away from our self obsessed minds by caressing our soul and hearts with his meaningful lyrics and confident guitar strumming. As the song subsides he gently sews us back up leaving our mind, body and spirit craving more.