aaamusic | On 27, May 2012

Since re-emerging on the live scene at the beginning of last year, acclaimed singer songwriter Jack Savoretti has been showcasing material from his new album “Before The Storm” this time joined on stage by his band The Dirty Romantics and captivating audiences wherever he goes.
It all began with his critically acclaimed debut “Between The Minds” in 2006. Named BBC Radio 2’s Album Of The Week, three album tracks aired on ‘One Tree Hill’ and Jo Whiley called him ‘one to watch.’
And she was right, he’s come back with a remarkable work, a collection of thirteen intense songs.
Written with, amongst others, long time collaborator Steve Booker (co-writer of Duffy’s ‘Mercy’) and produced by the hugely sought after Martin Terefe and The Suppliers (Mary J Blige, James Morrison and Jason Mraz) this third studio album has already been getting support from BBC Radio 2, playlisting track “Knock Knock”, along with his duet with Sienna Miller “Hate & Love” used in The Vampire Diaries.
What can I say? I do love this album! It’s the kind of music you listen to when you feel reflective and your head is leant against the window and you’re watching nothing, just like in a movie.
The album can work as a soundtrack indeed, if I’m not mistaken Savoretti’s music has been sent in many episodes of some tv series, and I see why.
But it’s not only a background music, it doesn’t miss personality but it has a strong mark.
First of all Jack Savoretti’s vocals are a guarantee, I’m sure he will be able to make any kind of song original and soulful, like his voice is.
Musically speaking he took everything good you can find in pop, blues, country and shaped them in his own music, where you can hear flashes of Crosby, Still, Nash & Young, Eagles, Dire Straits, Tracy Chapman, even Elton John.
But his raw vocals are the cherry on the pie, if you listen to “Last call” and how he scratches them at the end of the track you understand what I’m talking about.
“Before the storm” is a collection of various thirteen track and you will definitely find the one fitting your mood, there’s the country ballad (“Come shine a light”) perfect if you come in a saloon in the middle of the desert (I know it’s very unlikely but you have the right of dreaming), the struggling love ballads (“Before the storm”, “Crazy Fool”), the great single (the opening track “Not worthy”, really catchy), the melancholic song (“Vagabond”).
Another strong point of his talent is how he plays guitar, with a gentle but determined touch. He plays it to give a particular harmonic line to the song and sometimes he uses arpeggios to embellish or add a personal touch, but he’s never banal, I guess that “Before the storm” played unplugged would be amazing.
Another peculiarity is that Jack is Italian-English but his vocals and songs sound very American, like a voice from the deep South, there’s something carnal in the way he sings, the typical that would blamed by a tv preacher, and maybe this is the true reason why I do like him.
Looking forward to see him live, catch him in London on Thursday 31st May at the Borderline

★★★★★

Roberta Capuano