Maryland bluegrass singer/songwriter Jordan Tice is best known for being a member of the progressive stringband Hawktail alongside Brittany Haas and Paul Kowert (Punch Brothers). However, this time Tice goes solo on his latest album, Motivational Speakeasy – a sparse undertaking that centers primarily on his Collings acoustic guitar and vocals. Produced by Kenneth Pattengale (The Milk Carton Kids), the 11-track collection is a free-wheeling affair that combines bluegrass fingerpicking, blues, spirited instrumentals, and vivid literary songwriting. Standout tracks include: the mesmerizing “Walkin’”; the brooding “Creation’s Done”; the heartbreaker “Bad Little Idea”; the folk-blues ditty “Tell Me Mama”; the jaunty, take-life-as-it-comes “Matter of Time”; the lush instrumental “Stratford Waltz”; and the blues closing track “Goin’ on Down.” Jordan Tice’s Motivational Speakeasy successfully focuses on finding the heart of his original songs while showcasing his deep appreciation of American fingerpicked guitar traditions with nods to those who inspired him like Norman Blake, John Fahey, Leo Kottke and Mississippi John Hurt. I look forward to Tice’s next solo outing and am enjoying this greatly in the meantime. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Hawktail, Carrie Newcomer, Noam Pikelny, David Rawlings, John Reischman