THIS FAMILY TREE

Constantly cited as a natural heir to songwriting guitar greats Richard Thompson and Martin Simpson, Luke Jackson steps on the gas, branches out and reveals another part of his vast armoury in “This Family Tree” as he introduces his Trio – Andy Sharps (bass) and Connor Downs (percussion).

Sharp and savvy, his increasingly sophisticated narrative songs here interweave the tale of one family’s high and low journey. Sometimes ramped up and raunchy, then heartbreakingly gentle and poignant, the songs further showcase his slick guitar skills and punchy voice in a new power trio sound.
A departure from his roots and blues style to date this sound nudges the mainstream and shows the versatility of the 20 year-old who again demonstrates an old head on young shoulders in songs like the beautiful These Winter Winds, a reflective song about a father reluctantly letting go of his daughter and the off-the-rails Caitlin while Misspent History is an infectiously catchy, stand out rock number.

Sharps and Downs add rich layers of sound to the 7-track release and the effect is of a Trio with a natural, second nature connection as they turn the pages of this consuming familial soundtrack.