Reviewed by Tim Walker

On 'Green Drum' Jon has teamed up with engineer/producer Paul Hodson and the result is quite possibly the best CCM roots album ever. Jon's lyrics have always been distinctively metonymic (building up a picture from a series of related images) and this album shows them maturing still further as he paints vivid scenes from the British Isles and beyond. Jon's extensive travels permeate the musical fabric of 'Green Drum', Celtic influences predominate, but this album bears a more global feel than before, with African and Asian shades in places. The instrumentation scores top marks, Jon himself supplying much of it; you wonder with the first track whether Jon's had a nasty accident with a vaulting horse, but never fear - it's only a solo from guest chanteuse Angeline Morrison! One or two numbers have featured in Jon's live repertoire for a while, including the traditional "Hush Hush" (about the Highland clearances), but the best of a great bunch has to be "Carlybombarly", a cracking collection of reels (including "Drunken Sailor") which even Eden Burning would be proud to match. Basically, 'Green Drum' is the long player I've always believed Jon Day is capable of. It's more 'organic' (ie, less technology present) than its predecessor 'A Different Land' and much the better for it. An outstanding piece of work.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.