Jamie McLean Band has just announced the Feb. 23 release of its new LP, One and Only, produced by ex-Wilco drummer Ken Coomer (Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris) at Nashville’s legendary Sound Emporium, and featuring contributions from an impressive list of guest artists, from Americana mainstay Sam Bush to reed man extraordinaire Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck, Dave Matthews Band) and mesmerizing British singer/songwriter Lucie Silvas.
Jamie McLean Band also released the album’s title track and lead single today. The song premiered this week at Glide Magazine, who called it McLean’s “strongest songwriting to date—straightforward, no frills American guitar rock that brings to mind Americana and alt-country favorites like Jason Isbell, Whiskeytown and The Jayhawks.”
When Jamie McLean and his band get cooking, signature Gibson Les Paul slung over his shoulder, jangling downhome American rock & roll blaring from the speakers—damn the torpedoes, it’s like 1976 all over again. With the depth and honesty of his songs, and the effortless showmanship of his live performances, you can trace a clean lineage straight back from McLean to the legends whose influence he’s proudly stitched on his sleeve.
“I’ve been working at this long enough now that I know what’s going to be a great song and what feels extra,” McLean says. “Tom Petty had the line, ‘Don’t bore us, get to the chorus.’ That always resonated with me.”
One and Only, brought to life with the help of Coomer, is the most assured studio expression yet from the Jamie McLean Band. The album was culled from pure heartbreak, McLean grappling with the dissolution of a long-term relationship just prior to writing the record. He potently distills the experience into the album’s 11 tracks, from the Petty-esque swagger of “You’re Not the Only One” to groovy escapes (“Let’s Get Out of Here”), laid-bare ballads (“Not Today”), open-road country rambles (“Virginia,” “One and Only”), chooglin’ boogies (“Sing It”), soulful summits (“Yesterday’s Champagne”) and—with closing track “Holding On-Letting Go”—a gospel lilt that seamlessly bridges church and concert hall.
McLean cut his teeth playing guitar for years in the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, eventually departing to carve his own path as a solo artist. He soon began collaborating with bassist Ben Mars and drummer Brian Griffin, and the Jamie McLean Band was born. Since then, they’ve been burning up the American highway together, playing countless shows, and have thus far released three studio records and a live album. McLean has the sharp, roguish eyes of a hard-touring musician, his resume thick with sessions for everyone from Norah Jones to Aaron Neville and Chuck D; bills supporting Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Robert Randolph, Trombone Shorty, Grace Potter, and The Jayhawks; epic performances at Madison Square Garden, Bonnaroo and Fuji Rock; and endorsements from Gibson Guitars and Esquire magazine.
With the release of One and Only on the horizon, the Jamie McLean Band is poised for a breakthrough, its Americana rock & roll honest and true as ever.
“With this new record, I’ve finally let my guard down a bit,” McLean says. “I’m not afraid to say what’s on my mind.”
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Catch Jamie McLean Band on tour…
12/9 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl w/Anders Osbourne & Jackie Greene
12/28 – Cambridge, MA @ Atwood’s Tavern
12/29 – Fairfield, CT @ Fairfield Theatre Company w/Ryan Montbleau Band
2/8 – Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern Music Hall w/Marc Broussard
2/10 – Rocky Mount, VA @ Harvester Performance Center w/Marc Broussard
2/11 – Graham, NC @ Haw River Ballroom w/Marc Broussard
2/13 – Chattanooga, TN @ The Revelry Room w/Marc Broussard
2/14 – Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre w/Marc Broussard
2/16 – Asheville, NC @ Diana Worthham Theater w/Marc Broussard
2/17 – Charlotte, NC @ McGlohon Theater w/Marc Broussard
2/18 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West w/Marc Broussard
2/19 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement
2/22 – Washington, DC @ Hill Country Live
2/23 – Roanoke, VA @ Blue 5
2/24 – Richmond, VA @ Cary Street
3/1 – Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
3/4 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theatre
3/15 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Doc Taylor’s
3/16 – Easton, MD @ Avalon Theater
3/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
Photo by Evan Felts.
