An avid collector of traditional songs, Jake has always looked to old influences for the inspiration that drives much of his musical interpretations. The field recordings captured by his father Fred Fussell in trips across various American States had a deep resonance with Jake as a young man, and he has taken this spark forward into his professional career as a folklorist and a keeper of the flame that burns brightly in the traditions of the folk narrative.
Tonight he plays to a capacity crowd at the iconic Whelan’s venue in Dublin and his stage performance is enhanced by the presence of Will Waghorn on superbly delivered drumming and light percussive touches throughout. Jake visits all of his five album releases across a fifteen song set and his ability to lure the audience into a communal soporific state is something that has real resonance and a special power to communicate on a deep level. Jake does not engage much in idle chatter between songs and his comfort with the silences spreads to the hushed crowd.
When you hear the words of the songs being sung by the audience there can be no doubt that you have arrived in a happy state of acceptance. The fact that the lyrics are often framed in language of times past is what makes everything all the more impressive ‘My wife died on Friday night, Saturday she was buried, Sunday was my courtin' day and Monday I got married.’
Using his favourite Fender Telecaster, together with additional acoustic guitar, Jake dispenses with any other sonic effects to deliver his unique sound, which is channelled through a reverb amplifier. His fingerpicking style is something that has been praised over many years and his rhythmic playing is both addictive and hypnotic to witness in a live setting. Most of the song choices are taken from the two recent albums, WHEN I’M CALLED (2024), and GOOD AND GREEN AGAIN (2022). Firm favourites such as Jump For Joy, Jubilee, The River St John and Have You Ever Seen Peaches Growing On A Sweet Potato Vine? are included in the set and the sense of reverence in the room during the performance is palpable. A cover version of the Nick Lowe song I Love the Sound Of Breaking Glass is also delivered in fine style.
A fine support slot from Canadian Jennifer Castle opened proceedings and across her ten song set she made many new friends who found her unique songs to be quietly captivating. Her previous albums have included some very astute writing and in the set tonight are included NYC, Trust, Rose Waterfalls, Justice and a Bob Dylan cover Walkin’ Down the Line. All told, a magical evening of intimate music played with quiet aplomb and enthusiastically received by the buoyant audience.
Review and images by Paul McGee