One of the greatest things about writing on this blog is the
number of new artists I am fortunate enough to hear. Out of the blue, someone
will send me a link or YT video of a musician of whom I’ve never heard and it
ends up being the best part of my day. Such is the case with the individual here: Mr.
TJ Leonard, a Swedish Country artist who sounds more than “at home” with this
uniquely American musical genre.
His new album is titled “High on Livin,” a ten track LP that
spans moods from folk to rock all accompanying Leonard’s straightforward and
clear tenor voice. At times the recordings are gritty, and I mean gritty – a quick
listen to “Redneck Neighborhood” as an example of how well distorted guitar and
fiddle fit together will remind you that this no album looking for Hollywood sheen
(and thank goodness for it!) Alternatively, “The River” is upbeat and uplifting,
and I for one, love how prominently the banjo plays.
All in all, this is a very interesting injection into
Country music from across the ocean. I know that many fans of the genre are
sometimes skeptical of artists that don’t hail from somewhere in the Southern
United States, but I firmly believe that foreign influence just shows us how
healthy the genre really is. And TJ Leonard is simply the latest example of
that health. To learn more, please visit: tjleonardcountry.com
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