There have been a bunch of James Yorkston releases in recent years, and I've reviewed a few, but the newest, The Wide, Wide River, is by far the one I've enjoyed the most. Out today via Domino, the album, credited to James Yorkston and The Second Hand Orchestra, is full of rich folk flavors, and a kind of relaxed classicism. It's the most accessible thing he's done so far, certainly.
"To Soothe Her Wee Bit Sorrows" imagines an indie version of the kind of thing that bands like Fairport Convention did back in the old days, while "Struggle" is a warm delight. Sounding like some mix of Leonard Cohen, Jarvis Cocker, and Damon Gough, James Yorkston sings this one with the right mix of vulnerability and confidence. Elsewhere, "There is No Upside" is a spry ramble, even as the remaining cuts on the record ease things back into a sort of down-tempo groove.
James Yorkston is bridging some genres here, and one finds multiple entry-points into this material. To his credit, there are moments that feel like parts of the folk tradition even as others seem to owe a debt to French song forms. In a way, some of this recalls an approach artists from Neil Hannon to Richard Hawley have used, but Yorkston is careful to not let this become too precious. He holds back in spots, letting the combined power of his make-shift orchestra carry the weight in crucial moments. All this combines to make The Wide, Wide River, the most compelling James Yorkston-associated release to date.
The Wide, Wide River is out today via Domino.
More details on James Yorkston via the official website.
[Photo: Domino]