Atmospheric, funky, rustic, and raw this is narrative Americana at its finest; poetic story songs delivered with the voice of authenticity, sitting atop a moody bed of dirty slide guitars, organic drums, and swampy bass. Subtle touches of violin, piano, and lap steel adorn a song cycle that chronicles the westbound adventures of two mythic brothers in an equally mythic America.
Jeffrey with co-writer Don Zimmer and Adam Rossi {band member, co-producer} created something so many strive for, and yet too few achieve a genuine Americana concept album that is simultaneously devoid of pretension, and richly authentic. If Cormac McCarthy played guitar, he’d have a regular slot at The Sad Cafe, and folks would come from miles around to hear him sing “The Ballad of Ambrose and Cyrus.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAqs_JrMCyk&w=560&h=315]Along with The Healers, who are Adam Rossi (co-produced, a modern-day David Copperfield) and Bill MacBeath (Alvin Youngblood Hart) Guests stars Mark Karan (Bob Weir) and Tom Heyman (Alejandro Escovedo, Chuck Prophet) brought some serious mojo to the record. Here are some press quotes about West Towards South.
“The playing is tasty, arrangements on point. Halford’s ability to weave in canonical references is impressive. Dylan allusions, but more impressionistic. Pour yourself another round.”
“Perfect rhymes that paint vivid word pictures over an electrifying musical soundscape. A must for your collection.”
“They have a unique style of Americana that sits above the rest of their peers.”
“The one thing that grabbed me was the authenticity this album brings. It will leave any listener wanting more.”
