Entertainment
Five years after releasing his debut disc Long Time Coming, Invercargill singer-songwriter John Pringle has dropped his follow-up EP, Another Day.
It’s a gorgeously engaging musical statement at a time when the world is recoiling from the turmoil of global health shock.
If John was hoping to provide a timely reminder of kinder times he has certainly succeeded.
It’s an even more accomplished set of introspective, gentle, melodic, folk-tinged tunes than Long Time Coming, with delightful melodic hooks and a straight-to-camera vocal delivery that reinforces his certainty as an artist.
John’s voice is smooth, relaxed and on point. If I was going to flick through the alphabet for comparisons I’d file him firmly in the J’s, somewhere between Jackson Browne, James Taylor and Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson.
There are even fleeting moments where Tull’s progressive influence can be felt, particularly in the lilting waltz time signature and flute-like keyboard refrain of One Tree Hill.
Stylistically though, the yearning ballads of Harry Nilsson are probably a closer reference point. John’s songs speak to the heart and unashamedly echo the spirit of another, simpler time, where love was all you needed and tomorrow was always going to be a better day. If a songwriter has got something better to say than that right now, I’d like to hear it.
The quality of the songs is consistent throughout, from the commercially appealing opener Miracles right through to the strong title track Another Day.
This compact and melodically accessible five-track EP was crisply produced and beautifully mixed by Invercargill musician Geoff Burn, who has added tasteful musical arrangements and instrumentation to John’s songs.
Candles and wine are not included, but highly recommended while listening to this lovely musical offering.
Album Review: John Pringle Another Day (EP)
Reviewed by Chris Chilton
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