Midwestern Swing - Hayes Griffin (Album Review)
Hayes Griffin is a talented Michigan artist that I personally got to know through being involved with WYCE as a contributing writer and from visits to play for Local Spins segments at the same station, where he was station manager at the time. That being said (for full transparencies sake), I kept hearing from so many of my fellow colleagues that I had to check out Hayes’ duo project with folk educator/virtuoso Nate Roberts, and upon listening to their album, Unadorned and Commonplace, I was treated to some wonderful musicianship in some great tunes. I then come to find out that he’s an educator, runs his own publishing and education platform, studied contemporary improvisation at New England Conservatory (a school I almost went to for my Masters), and has toured with artists like April Verch (fiddle virtuoso) and NewTown around the country. His background is in jazz as much as it is in bluegrass, so you know he knows his way up and down all kinds of stringed guitar instruments. My interest in Hayes’ work on his upcoming solo debut is at its peak, which is why I’m happy to have been given an advanced copy to check out. Hayes Griffin captures the iconic Western Swing style and merges it with his Midwestern sound for a new listening experience.
This album is put together like a great set, full of high and low points, a great use of instrumentation with the key guest performers, and a careful attention to giving the listener room to breath and relax in between upbeat tracks. “Cruel Love” kicks things off with an upbeat Texas swing tune, juxtaposing a cheerful sound against the story of being broken up in a relationship. “I Hear You Talkin’” kicks off with a fun intro with harmonized guitar lines, rolling into a lyrically catchy tune that includes a great fiddle feature. “Booger Woogie” rockets forward with some good-ole-down-home chicken pickin’ from Hayes, with winding melodies and some expert guitar work, just in case you forgot “who yer talkin to!” The guitar work continues strong with some great soli lines in “I’ll Be Here Waiting.” For anyone feeling like they’re putting a ton of work into a craft only to not see results, “Losing Tread” captures that feeling in the lyrics. Things slow way down for an instrumental tune called “Standale Stomp” and then followed by “Blue Is the Way That I Feel,” a sad tune that is colored by slide guitar. “Jazz Me Blues” starts to pick things up, with some fast acoustic and electric guitar licks showcasing Griffin’s varied and honed guitar skills. The following tunes are set up for pick-me-ups after so much blues, with “7.18.15” slowly building overtime to a refreshing ending and “If No News Is Good News” highlighting the benefits of a break from the stresses of the news. The album then closes with an intimate listening experience on “The 11th Hour” with a focus on solo guitar and a final, joyous jam with dual guitars and fiddle sharing the spotlight for the melody on “Dime A Dozen.”
Hayes Griffin’s debut release is filled with wonderful listening moments, and you don’t necessarily have to be a Texas swing super fan to enjoy the record. The emotions range from light-hearted to reflective, from dance numbers to relaxing moments. It’s an album that thinks about all parts of the concept, rather than merely bundling disjointed singles for another round of sales. The musicians he is able to recruit are top level, including Joe Wilson (Steppin' in It, The True Falsettos) on lap steel, Quinn Griffin on vocals, Tim McKay (Fauxgrass) on bass, and Jeffrey Niemeier (Fauxgrass, Saltbreaker) on fiddle. This record feels like living through history, dusting off your boots and pulling up a chair to share in life’s ups and downs, all while dazzling you with stellar musicianship. There is a strong respect for Texas swing, whether it’s a tasteful rendition of classic repertoire or an original tune that blends so seamlessly with the covers. For fans of Hayes Griffin, this will no doubt be a welcome addition to your catalog. For new fans, this is a great album to get familiar with how he works as a skilled performer, arranger, collaborator, and writer. Midwestern Swing is a testament to education, collaboration, and being true to the source material while adding his own personal flare.
Pre-order the record here!
Website: https://www.hayesgriffin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hayesgriffinmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesgriffin
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hayesgriffin
Education/Music Services: https://btlmusicnotes.com/
