Of Polish-Irish descent but raised in Bradford, Jason McNiff has been described by Mojo Magazine as one of the UK's best-kept secrets. This compilation aims to set that right and raise his profile.
The album was originally intended as a sampler for release overseas but is now available in the UK as well. It is drawn from the three albums released on London-based independent labels - Off The Rails, Nobody's Son and Another Man - together with four new songs, one of which ('Hard Times') is a live recording.
McNiff has spent time travelling and teaching in Italy, which inspired songs on this album like 'Pilgrim Soul' 'Hills Of Rome' and, best of all, a cover of the anti-fascist Italian folk song 'Bella Ciao' which he learnt while touring with the Modena City Ramblers.
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He is also a big admirer of that country's rightly revered singer-songwriter Fabrizio De Andre whose poetic storytelling style owed much to Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, strong influences also in the music of McNiff.
The strongly Dylanesque mood and McNiff's love of Hemingway means this has more in common with Americana than with traditional British folk.
The songs are too derivative to be called original but they are gentle, romantic and sincere songs that deserve to find a wider audience.
12t 51.53m
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