Johnson’s
vulnerability is refreshing.
Potter & Clay
Artist: Jaylene
Johnson (www.jaylenejohnson.com)
Label: Independent
Length: 12 tracks/44
minutes
The simplicity and
forthrightness in Potter & Clay by Jaylene Johnson is
appealing. Witness the starkly confessional opening track, “Fallin’”:
There are things I’ve done I never should’ve done
Things I’ve said I never should’ve said
I can’t forget, it’s messing with my head
The things I’ve done, the things I’ve said
Earthy acoustic
rhythm and guitars that stretch the notes provide a haunting
backdrop. The resolve comes in the chorus. The singer is falling, not
into a place of hopelessness, but “into the arms of mercy.”
The first line in
the next track, “How Long,” seems so fitting, “Who led me to
this desert?” In Scripture the desert is a place of testing, which
can prompt questions and wrestling, “Am I being punished/For what I
did or didn’t do.” Listeners will find an authentic grappling
with faith and doubt throughout this release.
The sparse
instrumentation on the piano-driven “One Tiny Prayer” complements
the beautiful transparency:
Trees so tall go beyond my sight
Feel so small ’neath this patch of sky
I’m out of place and I’m wond’ring why I came
Here is solace for
the disenfranchised and forgotten. It’s like their voice is
mirrored in these lines, reminding them, you are not alone.
Even if all seems lost, you too can whisper His name and be heard.
Johnson continually
makes herself vulnerable through revealing lyrics. If you are going
through any kind of struggle, this could be your soundtrack. This
brings comfort and hope.
The songs are
wonderfully organic. There are few synthesized sounds. The
arrangements are straightforward and immediately likeable, and the
tones are pure.
Having become
familiar with producer Murray Pulver’s work with Steve Bell, I hear
the roots oriented influence. The former sings and performs on almost
every song. He is a top-notch producer and musician, which is plainly
evident here.
Steve Bell adds
guitars and vocals to “Lord of All,” which stylistically and
lyrically is like a modern hymn.
Occasionally, I hear
a country and/or bluegrass influence. “Pray, Pray Again,” which
features Joey Landreth on dobro would be right at home on an Alison
Krauss recording. It’s an encouragement to pray in every situation.
A favorite is “Rest
in Me (In the Meantime).” Fittingly, it is warm and relaxed, almost
country rock.
Another upbeat, more
pop-oriented track is “Find Us,” which includes a trumpet solo.
It expresses a desire for God to meet us in all the places where we
either find ourselves and/or choose to hide.
“This Little
Light” could be a whimsical play on the thought in the old Sunday
School chorus. In dramatic voice Johnson chronicles a journey. Being
tired and feeling foolish, she hides from everyone, not letting her
light shine. But contemplating the flame that is now just a spark,
she cries out in prayer. She wants to let her light shine. Lastly,
she casts herself on God’s mercy, which becomes her ground for
telling others “Far and wide/This little light of mine/I am gonna
let it shine.”
Special thanks to
Steve Bell and Signpost Music for getting behind this project and
bringing it to my attention. If you like Bell’s recent releases,
you will most likely enjoy this as the style and sound are somewhat
similar.
This is the Winnipeg
native’s third full-length release.
