Outlaw country singer-songwriter David Jameson is nearing a major stepping stone in his career, the release of his first studio album at the beginning of next year. Though he has been a musician for some time, it was only a few years ago he decided to take a crack at becoming a professional recording artist. He released his first single in early 2021.
The second single and title track off the upcoming Tall Dark Pines album, releasing January 27th, is a tribute to Americana with a sea-bearing twist. Having spent a lot of time in his youth outside of the U.S., Jameson connected to his home through music and as a result his catalog feels very much like a tribute to his homeland.
“Tall Dark Pines” starts with hints of a sea shanty. That vibe quickly disperses with the introduction of more instruments and the melody. Really it is the slide guitar and drums that break the initial tone. Producer Duane Lundy does an incredible job here. The mixing and mastering are exceptional. The instruments sound very crisp, and the vocals are clean as can be with plenty of reverb to go around.
Jameson’s lyrics are fantastic. The story itself is not overly complicated and the flourishes of the smart lyrics makes it more enjoyable. According to Jameson’s website, the songs on Tall Dark Pines are based on personal family stories. There is a sense of realness and sincerity to the songs released thus far. However, I’m not sure the story told in “Tall Dark Pines” is true. The story of a man who killed his wife’s lover fits the outlaw theme.
I haven’t quite settled on how I feel about Jameson as a singer. His tone fits his genre. His vocals are more impressive in his other two singles, particularly “25 to Life.” Regardless, “Tall Dark Pines” is more about the story than the singing.
The rockabilly “Ballin’ the Jack” and the folky “25 to Life,” fellow singles from Tall Dark Pines, were also released earlier this year. The trifecta of these three singles gives a good taste of what the upcoming album is going to be like and varied is the best way to describe it. All three have a very classic folk and country-western sound but each one has its own twist.
“Tall Dark Pines” is not my favorite single from Jameson; “25 to Life” takes that title. It pulls from very old genres with a contemporary approach, as do most of his songs. “Tall Dark Pines” does feel the most obscure in its style which makes it the most unique. It shows Jameson’s admiration for historical music and his love for his country.
Jameson has only been recording music for a few years but judging by his music thus far, he is more than comfortable in the studio. “Tall Dark Pines” and its relative singles have certainly given me an appetite for Jameson’s music, and I am excited to hear Tall Dark Pines in its entirety early next year.
