Album Review Joshua Scott Jones 'The Healing'

Joshua Scott Jones, best known as one half of the country duo Steel Magnolia, released his debut solo album, The Healing, on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. The 11-track release is a collection of well written songs that reflect upon his journey over the past few years in an honest, personal and emotional way. Joshua wrote or co-wrote all eleven tracks as well as executive produced the record. He has said, “This has been a long time coming for me,” he said. “I feel like it’s really a chance for my voice to be heard.”

The Healing starts off with “Honk (If You’re Tonky),” but don’t think that this song sets the tone for the remainder of the album. The songs, especially on the back half of the record, really touch an emotional nerve and require one to listen to the lyrics to experience the impact of the songs.

Throughout the album, Joshua’s warm vocals touch on a variety of themes. Love and relationships are the focus of songs such as “City of Angels,” with its subtle fiddle and mandolin, “You & I,” “Rearview” and “Lover Let Me Show You My Heart,” which has a terrific old school country sound.

Piano and fiddle set the mood for “Just How A Heart Breaks” which was written at Cumberland Heights in Nashville, TN, where Jones completed his stay in rehab. “It wasn’t all a waste/’Cause we really know now/Just how a heart breaks.”

Of course there are up tempo numbers too, like the bluesy “Tennessee Blue” and the can’t get it out of your head “Whiskey Anthem” in which a relationship ends and he decides “Life’s too short its not worth the fight anymore/Don’t care what she said gonna paint this town red/Light it up like a star spangled night/Gonna call all my friends/Get lost all weekend/In a whiskey stompin’ goodbye lullaby.”

The album closes with the title track, “The Healing.” A powerful ballad that touches the heart and mind through the atmosphere the melody provides and Joshua’s delivery. “That spark in our eyes/That God was revealing/May the hurt that we’re feeling/Lead to the healing.”

I actually surprised myself by how much I liked this album. Seek out, give a listen and purchase The Healing.

4 Stars

The Healing is available on iTunes and other digital outlets.  To purchase, visit  http://bit.ly/JSJhealing
For more information on Joshua Scott Jones, http://www.joshuascottjones.com

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