Most I Could Muster by Colin Jones

" -Brian Baker

Review from Big TakeOver Magazine:

"Though he's done his time in New Mexico and Seattle before this, Jones' current Virginia base puts him closer to the tradition he taps on Most I Could Muster. Out of five songs of wandering-troubadour folk (just vocal, acoustic, and what-the-hey harmonica), the plaintive-voiced Jones puts his unguarded heart on display on two, "Corona & Roses" and "I Might Miss You" (the latter's lament that he has to read the Sunday Times alone now, instead of sharing it, is the little detail that makes such breakup songs effective), coming off as a new-ish Neil Young whenever the harmonica blows its sad intonation. But the three other social protest songs, led by a acerbic rebuke of the rights-smashing Patriot Act called "Cart Before the Horse" ("We'll feed 'em propaganda/Patriotism and security, a blinding tandem"), lead him further back in time, to Woody Guthrie and, past that, to the impoverished rural south found on the old Folkways recordings. Because he does it with unhappy tongue-in-cheek succinctness, like on "Middleclass White Man" ("looking for a minivan"), which is Ray Davies-esque in its send-up of social blinders, he's actually both quite effective and affecting, a good storyteller rather than a tiresome ranter." -Jack Rabid

Review (excerpt) from LeftOffTheDial.com:

"...Jones is a folk-styled singer-songwriter, and this release showcases five of his original songs. The release is a one-man production with finger-picked acoustic guitar, harmonica, and an unusual style of storytelling...He is quite adept at the harmonica, and he knows how to combine it with his guitar in a way worthy of the singer-songwriter genre. I'd say the music and mood of the release would appeal to any fans of Ryan Adams' Heartbreaker for a comparison, but the lyrical content is certainly a bit different...The winding path of a singer-songwriter nowadays can be filled with wrong turns, but for now, it seems like Colin Jones has a good idea of how to use his compass...Most I Could Muster is an intriguing release."

Review (excerpt) from ContactMusic.com:

"This breath of fresh air in the American music industry whistles its way to you from Seattle via New Mexico and currently Virginia, leaving in its wake a trail of exasperated expressions. The irreverent Colin Jones, unlike many bands caught up in this Kerrang culture, mainly chooses to carry out his commentary on society with poignancy, wit coupled with acoustic guitar and a harmonica, as opposed to discordant guitars and in your face vocals... could even make George W Bush himself stumble... Matt Hales-meets-Damien Rice vocals... Each track contains insight and harmony that makes Jones music soothing and at the same time insightful."

About:

Hailing from Seattle, via New Mexico, but currently Virginia, singer/songwriter Colin Jones is rapidly turning heads as his debut EP, Most I Could Muster, creeps it's way across the country. With refreshing lyrics, engaging melodies, and warm instrumentation, it's no wonder that 'Most I Could Muster' is garnering strong reviews and a devoted fan-base. His live shows are earning a reputation for their spontaneity and depth. Watch for him on the road this spring, summer, and fall. (No, seriously, he is running out of money and may be homeless soon... so please be careful when driving.)

Smart-Ass Gibberish from www.greengarlicrecords.com:

There is nothing to say that has not already been said about someone, sometime, someplace else. That said, we prefer to let this CD speak for itself. If you would like to hear what it is saying, please order this debut EP from America's most promising songwriter online. If you cannot afford the time to listen to this CD, then you are likely unworthy of the tremendous benefits that accompany said activity.

If you have already listened to this CD, and liked it, thank you, and please tell all of your friends. If you listened to the CD, and didn't like it, then we thank you for your time, which could not have been very valuable in the first place if you have enough of it to sit and listen to an artist like Colin Jones, who, though tremendously talented, is so far completely unknown by any measurable segment of society.

If we were a typical "real" record label (which we aren't), and we only cared about commercial success (which we don't), instead of the smart-ass gibberish above, we'd have included a blurb similar to the following:

A wearied-eyed traveler at heart, Colin Jones embodies the modern troubadour. This debut EP features 5 songs that are at once bitingly sarcastic and touchingly tragic. With his keen eye and ironic wit, 23-year-old Jones relays stories of modern America unlike any other songwriter today.

And above that, there'd be a picture of him holding his guitar, all disturbed and deep-like, a tortured soul, with cute puppy-dog eyes shining through his slightly unkempt tussles of hair.

But that would have been stupid and self-serving. So we opted for the former, all due apologies.

For booking info: booking@greengarlicrecords.com

Just to say hi: info@greengarlicrecords.com

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