Jack McBannon
Tennessee
VÖ 24.5.2024
My Redemption Records/CARGO
CD/LP
INFOS:
After touring the US, Canada, Russia and Europe, Jack McBannon is releasing his brand new album „TENNESSEE“ on May, 24th. Recorded in Johnny Cash’s legendary Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee and produced by his GRAMMY® awarded son John Carter Cash, this record is a true masterpiece that takes the listener on an unforgettable journey. This big opportunity definitely didn’t come to life through any big industry contacts: „I just messaged John and sent him a song of my 2021 album ‚True Stories‘. As a fan of his dad’s and a huge admirer of him as a producer, this just came to my mind“, Jack McBannon remembers this seemingly small but huge step. „To be honest: I really didn’t grasp it at first when I read his response in which he wrote that he loved my music and my artistry.“
Jack produced and recorded his 2021 album all by himself. „I think that fact added to my voice and songwriting convinced John to offer me the big opportunity to produce a whole album together.“ One year after that first messaging and numerous zoom-calls between Germany and Tennessee, Jack found himself on his flight to the USA equipped with 11 self composed songs and tons of excitement: „The whole journey and everything around it makes me as proud and grateful as the record itself. It truly is a dream-come-true and every single time I’m listening to those songs, they take me right back to Tennessee.“
And one thing is for sure: Jack McBannon is not alone feeling this way: Every single song – beginning with „Back Then“ – live and breathe the wide open range and freedom of the American landscapes. This is not an album you just listen to – you can really feel it with every sense. Country, folk, rock, grunge, americana and singer/songwriter elements are combined to a genre of its own.
Here’s a song transported by a whole band, as in „Can You Hear Me“ which could easily been compared to the great Springsteen or Bob Seger and then there’s a truly minimalistic feel, as in the duet of Jack and John („The Only Rule“) that reminds the listener of the late American Recordings by Johnny Cash (also recorded in the Cash Cabin). The title track „Tennessee“ is a true American country song about breaking down the walls in your own head and live the life you really long for. The backing band that John Carter Cash hand picked for Jacks record is a winner in every single way: „We recorded every song live in the Cash Cabin – together“ Jack McBannon remembers and lets us know: „I still recall that feeling when we recorded „As Simple As That“ and thinking: This will be a true highlight!“
He is not wrong here – this song closes the album with an orchestral Americana that could be right there in a Kevin Costner Western movie. Jack McBannon has a very long history with America, where he lived in the past (Seattle & Los Angeles) and he’s also traveled through 22 states as a photographer. TENNESSEE is a record about traveling, love, loss, tour-life and the freedom to do what you dream of and also about homelessness and domestic abuse. One thing is for sure: here’s a songwriter who’s a master of his craft for more than 20 years.
Jack McBannon’s voice has been critically acclaimed by the press as a mix of Eddie Vedder, James Hetfield and Bruce Springsteen and TENNESSEE proves even more that this is a singer/songwriter who really found and perfected his own way. A lot of attention to detail and the energy of a unique studio really take this record to a whole new level. Dive in and join Jack on this once in a lifetime journey.