Posted on: July 19, 2011 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Jonathan Edwards has been creating music for a period of time longer than a great many listeners have been alive. Eir career gradually got larger during eir stint in Sugar Creek, while many casual listeners may be familiar with Edwards’ music through “Sunshine”. “My Love Will Keep” is the first album that Edwards has released for over 12 years, and represents further maturation and evolution of the music that ey has created since the 1960s.

My Love Will Keep begins with Surrounded, a nearly five-minute introduction to listeners of whom Edwards is, where ey has been, and where ey wishes to take them over the course of the album. A microcosm of what is to follow, Surrounded is a tremendously emotional track that speaks to the heart through both vocal and instrumental sides. “Johnny Blue Horizon” showcases the different ties that Edwards has cultivated in music over eir career. This track touches upon John Denver’s life and death, while “Lightkeeper” presents listeners with a much more naturalistic approach to things. My Love Will Keep has a number of tracks that furthers this connection of Edwards with nature, while still presenting listeners with a number of tracks that touch upon Edwards’ previous work.

“Crazy Texas Woman” bounces along with a tremendous amount of energy, while there is a considerable stylistic change that can be heard during “How Long”. “How Long” is a track that showcases the love that Edwards has for early country and bluegrass, and presents listeners with a decidedly different side to Edwards than had been cultivated over the course of the rest of My Love Will Keep. Few artists are able to continually innovate at all stages of eir career, but Edwards has done so, does so on this album, and will continue to do so.

Top Tracks: Everybody Works in China, Tomorrow’s Gonna Come

Rating: 7.3/10

Jonathan Edwards – My Love Will Keep (CD) / 2011 Appleseed / 12 Tracks / http://www.johnathanedwards.com / http://www.appleseedrecordings.com

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