NEW ALBUM : J.R. Harbidge Releases His Sophomore Album ‘Long Black River’

And as Lyric magazine’s 30-second review put it: “Think Simon & Garfunkel jamming with the Gin Blossoms with Folk/Rock supergroup The Thorns. Gorgeous melodies, ephemeral vocals, cracking piano. Alt-Americana. This is one for you.”

The second single ‘Break the Spell’ made Single of the Week on Modern Age Music and featured on the ARC Radio New Music playlist, also charting at No. 11 in the ARC Radio Top 40. Meanwhile, Steve Swift, on Rambling Reviews, awarded ‘Break the Spell’ a mighty “4 ½ out of 5” and pointed out that “This song contains a deceptively excellent Fleetwood Mac style chorus, it has an unassuming catchiness that keeps you singing it hours later”.

The album’s third single — ‘Sunshine Not Rain’ — earned praise, not only for the song itself, has a strong Country timbre and tempo, but for the accompanying, very personal, fun, and touching video, where JRH is aided and abetted by his young son, who’s dressed and bearded up as a mini-me version of his Dad, playing the song his Dad wrote for him!

Now, JRH is delighted to release his eagerly-anticipated complete album.

“My new album,” says JRH, “is full of melody and memorable melodies, but beneath all the things that catch your ear you’ll find songs steeped in real life.  The subject matter on this album is perhaps not what you would expect…”

That’s true: ‘We Don’t Talk About It’, for example, is a beautiful song, underpinned by a mesmerizing string arrangement and a soaring middle eight, but the lyrics tell a desperate narrative of family tragedy, about loss and persecution.

‘You Saved Me Twice’, by contrast, includes a big singalong section and gorgeous country Telecaster guitar riffs, but reflects on the loss of a loved one.  

The title track, ‘Long Black River’, is a deep, dark blues jam about paranoia and conspiracy. 

At the other end of the musical spectrum, ‘When the Sun Doesn’t Shine’ is a really positive happy-sounding song and melody, but was born out of jealousy and insecurity. Meanwhile, ‘Side by Side’ was inspired by the war poet Martin Niemöller and based on his experience of the Holocaust.

It makes for a musically rich, thought-provoking collection of tracks. “This album isn’t just a great representation of where I am today,” says J.R. Harbidge, “It is also a great musical reflection of the times, we find ourselves in. Honest, deep, and straight from the soul.”

Whilst ‘Long Black River’ showcases J.R. Harbidge’s multi-instrumental talents (and was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by JRH himself), it’s by no means a one-man-band endeavour.

“The album would not be what it is without the great musicians who have lent their talent to its creation,” J.R. takes pains to point out, “The piano and organ parts, courtesy of Pete Larkin, sit alongside the best you have heard, and the drums and bass (Mark Bates and Thom Mapes) fit like a glove.  Guest appearances by Paul Scott Connop (Scott Matthews’ guitarist), whose solo in ‘Long Black River’ is up there with the Jimmy Pages of this world and Nick Clarke’s Tele-twang in ‘You Saved Me Twice’ just makes the difference.”

Check out J.R. Harbidge’s multi-layered and textured second album ‘Long Black River’, available NOW on all digital platforms & vinyl, CD, (limited-edition bundles are also available). You’ll be glad you did!