Andy Newton’s debut CD A Banner Day offers a variety of rocking Americana soundscapes within interesting singer-songwriter song craft. It’s uncanny how well Newton dives into a lot of different approaches and keeps emerging with his own personal, unique vocal timbre, narrative, and musical shadings. Recorded at Mortal Music Studios in Charlestown, Massachusetts, A Banner Day carries a banner for roots music as written from the point of view of a youthful man of today.
Opening with “In Due Time,” Newton wastes no time immersing his listeners in engaging sounds and involving guitar notes. His vocal climbs up over his melody with an inner strength that can be felt. This gives his voice a presence as well as a sound. Listeners will take notice of this young artist right away.
“Brush It Off, Henry” is philosophically sound as well as musically alluring. Newton’s unique rasp pulls the emotion out of this song of encouragement, making one want to follow his voice to see where he takes us. All of the instrumentation is familiar while also possessing a freshness in how Newton manipulates them. The piano underneath him makes this feel a little like old fashioned rock and roll while his slightly darker vocal approach creates something new and fetching.
“Kelly Green” takes the listener on a down tempo, pared down croon. Newton gets even darker here, his voice pressing forward into a scarier place. He finds a perfect approach to croon over primitive percussion and a slow burner, scratchy electric guitar. He creates the perfect atmosphere and mood here, perfect for something sinister to evolve.
“How You Love Me” drifts forward quietly, pleasantly. Like tumbleweed, moving along the ground, this number ambles with a persistent spirit even though Newton takes his sweet time unfurling it. His words find a good home among drifty accordion and organ because his raw, earthy vocal offers itself in generous doses of emotion and timbre.
“Sparrows” swoops down from its grinding guitar intro to become another tune in which Newton’s voice is a steady guide through a story song. Electric guitar and organ percolate steadily, moodily beneath him as he puts this one across with raw attitude. Gripping, it engages more as it moves along its world weary way, making one realize Newton is wise and experienced beyond his mid-20s lifespan.
“Like We Used To” is a tender reflection on his past. Newton uses another pared down format here, offering only a brittle acoustic guitar melody and a mild organ counterpoint beneath his airy voice. This singer-songwriter conjures tender emotions as he walks one through his memories of a past relationship, making the listener feel his wistful longing.
Newton pulls us into “I Guess That Really Was The Last Time” with an even handed offering of acoustic guitar and organ. Here, he draws us in with a flinty, mid-tempo joyride through another end of romance story. A rollicking honky tonk flavor makes this a fun, toe-tapping piece as well as something that makes us feel what he was feeling when he wrote it.
“If You Gotta Go, Go Now” rides in with a swirl of instrumentation that Newton manages to sail along with. He’s on top a whirlwind of emotions, and he’s spiraling playfully around a tuft of guitars, organ, piano, and rhythm section finesse. Newton makes one feel he’s tamed this circus of sound with his whispery exclamations, and that is just one of his strengths here.
“Those Fine And Good Blues” swaggers with confidence. Sprinkled with honky tonk piano and punctuated by a spirited rhythm section, this one makes you feel like you’re in some kind of old time piano bar. Newton’s rasp is well placed in this march of edgy melodies and kicking grooves. He’s got enough attitude to match the brisk instrumentation, and it’s a match made in heaven.
“I’ll Be Satisfied” has a familiar feeling to it. A good study of what he listens to, Newton can come up with something that sounds like it’s been on the radio for years. This soulful romp is danceable, fun, and well-executed. The listener can feel the years in this kind of music even if the singer-songwriter-recording artist is still in his mid-20s.
“River Rushing Through My Heart” is a youthful theme of being full of emotion. In Newton’s hands, this expression of infatuation comes through in a rush of soulful vocal belts. Singing over a groundswell of guitar and organ, Newton remains a focal point, something that draws in everything with his easeful charisma.
“When I Fall In Love Again” is Newton in mellow groove, sounding more like a 1960s pop ballad, drifting along like a cloud in a breeze. Dreamy qualities ooze from each instrument while Newton croons with a gentler confidence here. He still manages to make his own personal indentation with his unique timbre, showing there isn’t any kind of approach he cannot master.
“Providence Rain” has a slight Beatles influence coming from a string instrument and a playful organ swirl. Newton, again, makes his voice at home amidst impressive instrumentation. He also makes his feelings understood with nuances in his vocal approach, inflecting just as much as he needs, handling it like an old pro.
Newton closes out with “In Duer Time,” a play on his introductory tune “In Due Time.” This instrumental finds him adding many fine touches to his, at this point in his CD, already proven melodic and rhythmic abilities. Its beauteous ease also serves as a pleasant farewell for now ending.
Andy Newton has made quite a bold statement with his A Banner Day debut album. He reflects a high level of development for such a young artist. His potential is clear, as this album sounds like it was written and performed by a more seasoned talent. Newton is surely off to a brilliant start.
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