Today’s is;
Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams
I remember quite clearly the first time I came across this album. It was around the time I knew I was over the oppressive hard rock band I’d been playing bass in for a few years, run like a dictatorship by the guitarist and I needed something different.
What was more different that the soothing tones of Jack Johnson!
It was also around the time Jo and I got married and moved to Bew Zealand for a 6 month stint. That underlying laid back island feel was like a backing track to the experience, travelling down through the two islands, the beaches near Wellington, the inland winding roads through native bush, the friends we made when settled in Christchurch and the shenanigans we got up to!
The story of how Jack got into music is a good read, and a jealous one! From injured surfer learning guitar and writing in recovery, to the internationally acclaimed artist he is today!
I obsessed over this album for a fair while, had the live dvd, and I believe it was one of the main drivers for me picking up and learning an acoustic over the bass for a number of years.
It played repeatedly in the car on road trips, found itself as a staple album for the coffee shop, and worked its way into my hands as a foundation for our own music.
Better Together and Banana Pancakes and now iconic classics and Crying Shame shows a heart for change behind what he does.
A great easy listener and led me onto other artists that stuck with us including Zack Gill, Matt Costa and Bahamas (who’s album will also appear).
Have a listen, a great road trip album or a lazy afternoon backdrop!
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