Johnny Delaware – Para Llevar (Normaltown/New West) (13th Floor Album Review)

0

At a time of year when big, year-end releases are scrambling for your attention comes a small, but perfectly-formed album from one Johnny Delaware.

Who is Johnny Delaware?

Born and raised in South Dakota, Delaware…yes, that’s his real name, is a founding member of SUSTO, a mid-level Americana band based in Charleston, South Carolina. A gentleman by the name of Justin Osborne is the main creative force in that quintet, with Johnny a supporting player who has made has made a handful of solo albums on the side.

Johnny DelawarePara Llevar (Spanish for “to go”) is Delaware’s latest effort, one that the artist calls, “a nomadic album”. Indeed, Johnny has spent time living in Mexico City and now considers himself something of a wanderer.

The 10 songs that make up the record were recorded around Latin America and the U.S. and were played, written and produced by  Delaware with a little help from time to time on drums, pedal steel and violin.

Jungle Full Of Ghosts gets things started with an electronic hum and a gentle acoustic guitar. The shuffling rhythm section, synth and “fuzz” guitar (all played by Delaware) eventually build to a “full band” sound with the electric guitar adding just bit of a bite.

Johnny’s voice is direct, honest and emotive.

“The voices you’re hearing, they call out, but they don’t know your name”.

This song, like most here are about searching, within and without. It is at once hazy, inviting and slightly off-putting.

Running finds our hero “lying down in the Mexico sun” as an automobile’s engine starts up and revs up. Flute and trumpet colour the lyrics but never overwhelm the laidback vibe.

Stubborn Faith features a classic country guitar lick with pedal steel provided by Cannon Rogers and BVs from Alejandra Moreno. The trumpet returns but again, the production is sparse and tasteful.

Johnny gets in touch with his inner Fleetwood Mac on Darkness and Never Let Go is another lovely country/folk ballad.

The album closes with Mexico City Blues and a story about a guy who “fell in love with a hooker from the 1990s”, set to a gentle Tex/Mex rhythm and finishes with sweeping strings and synths.

It’s a big ending for a small record that deserves to be heard.

Marty Duda

Johnny Delaware:
Website – Instagram – YouTube

 

Marty Duda
Latest posts by Marty Duda (see all)