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**Jack Symes, JaKL** “The River House,” beyond being a straight-to-tape album with loveable moods and a full rainbow of emotions, is really a successful proof of concept. If you put good people with open minds and hearts into a cabin together for a week, regardless of how well they might know each other, you’re going to get something special. The attractive tendency for artists is to “Play Producer.” They stress the importance of minute decisions and stand very seriously, preferably with arms crossed, while listening back to a take. Here they assess which potentially perfect idea is the ‘missing ingredient,’ and attempt to play the Divine, summoning it from the ether. This was not the process of “The River House.” At the River House we hung out. We jammed. We said “Go on...” While Jack Symes has already established himself as a clever and unique songwriter, this album shows a very obvious step forward in the depth, range, and dynamism of his writer’s voice. And while we hear his growth as both a writer and guitar player, the album is perhaps the first example of something else that makes Jack different from other artists: his thoughtful leadership. Jack believes in people. He is a listener that empowers those around him, and is true to his Pillars of Focus : Vibe, Energy, and Good Communication. He understands that when you trust in people and take your hands off the wheel, Magic has space to breathe and hopefully enough room to shake it’s ass. The musicians (Rob Shelton, Steven van Betten, Gregory Ackerman, and yours truly), producer (Dillon Casey), and host/pied piper for a good time (Daniel Nally), were hand picked with these pillars in mind. Then we were given that trust. With the pieces set, wined and dined, the band assumed their positions with the amps hot and not a headphone in sight, Dillon rolled tape, and there we stayed for 8 euphoric days. Many people will listen to this album and many will turn it off because it is too long, too meandering, and let’s be honest, asking too much of their deeply traumatized attention spans. But that is exactly why those who love it will love it Deeply. It’s not like everything else, and the further you let yourself in, the more you will find and the more you will love. It was made with love, and I agree wholeheartedly with the decision not to trim its length, nor its intros and outros. We don’t need more neat packages in the world. We need magic, preferably of the real variety. Jack Symes and The River House is certainly that. At least that’s the way I feel. Written by John Fatum (drums and percussion) This is a 21+ event
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