Jack Barksdale - Voices (2025) Hi-Res

Jack’s a Fort Worth-based folk singer with some well-written & original songs in his showcase. Not just a collection of random compositions. Jack explores themes like art, religion, reality, society, philosophy & himself. Heavy-duty voices occupy his observations.

Nice to think a songwriter gave some thought to his music rather than just write about taking a pickup truck out for a ride while guzzling some brew & singing oldies along with his dog. This is a little deeper. Challenging? We’ll see.

There are 11 Voices produced by Mike Meadows (drums/percussion/Udu/tabla/elephant bell/bells/broom/bass drum/lap steel/tambourine) for a record label started by the Guy Clark Estate. The album was recorded in Austin, TX. & opens with “The Man, the Myth, the Legend,” a deeply serious narrative that’s well told with a younger man’s perspective. Jack (vocals/guitars) is joined on “Martyrs” by Grammy-Award winner Sarah Jarosz (harmony vocals/mandolin). This song is a bit more in his wheelhouse.

It may be that for some ears the tales he tells require a grittier voice since Jack’s a little too perfect in his intonation. But I think that’s a minor point. The depth will eventually come, but if he has songs like this now, he’s certainly on the right path. He may never sound as smoky as Keb ’Mo, Taj Mahal, or John Hiatt, but how many do?

For some purists who live & die with the early days of rock in their bloodstream, Jack’s voice may still be a little too soft-sounding. It lacks the rock & old school folk authoritative thrust. But he’s not trying to follow in the footsteps of Jim Morrison, Elvis, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, or even John Lennon. He’s more of a young Americana troubadour who understands the roots of the music & most importantly, how to apply that genre to his skills. Hey, the legends are bidding farewell each day, someone with quality & finesse has to pick up the torch & keep running.

While I’m not crazy about “Only Human,” the construction of the song is what’s impressive. The singing is fast, slowing down for effect, the guitar break & clever lyrics that work throughout the composition. Commendable.

A bit darker are the effective “Song of the Artist” & “The End of Days” — not exactly what you’d hear from younger artists today. Many are generally commercially driven with watered-down mainstream affiliations. Mr. Barksdale chooses to pour his strongest assets (his writing & playing) into the composition & dramatically manages to negotiate its terrain with expertise. These are excellent.