Pony Bradshaw Weaves Rich Tales of the South on Impressive ‘Calico Jim’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

James Bradshaw, better known as Pony Bradshaw, has managed to carve out a new niche genre of “North Georgia Southern Gothic” on Calico Jim, his latest LP.

Across 10 haunting tracks, Bradshaw creates a deeply affecting cast of characters that reside in the same place he now calls home: North Georgia, in the foothills of Appalachia – just an hour or so away from Atlanta, but an entirely different world. The protagonists that live in his songs are just as vivid and authentic as those in Bruce Springsteen’s tunes just north of the Mason Dixon. Describing locals with “church haircuts” and those with tobacco-stained hands and teeth who interact with snake handling preachers, Bradshaw creates a deeply fascinating world that is paired perfectly with his addictive blend of rootsy folk and classic country.

He describes the record as the relationship between man and nature. “It’s about a region connecting with its history and past. Our pasts can teach us how to be better citizens and can provide insight that helps us make sound choices regarding our future as a community. I tried to think small about big things, to reach out into a world directly adjacent to my own and draw something of worth from these hills and valleys. The mountains, rivers, and folks of North Georgia take the lead and carry it all home.” 

And as daunting as that description sounds, it’s the music that makes it go down so easy. Admittedly the album – despite coming in at just 10 tracks – is a slow build of sorts. It takes repeated listens to really soak in all of the stories that Bradshaw unspools. For every upbeat song like “Foxfire” that catches your attention within seconds there’s a melancholy song like “Pork Belly Blossom” that takes time to grow on you.  

Calico Jim is a natural follow-up to 2019’s Sudden Opera, and just as impressive. Lyrically, Bradshaw proves to be one of the most notable writers in contemporary folk music. What Faulkner did for Mississippi, and Harper Lee did for Alabama, Bradshaw has the potential to do for North Georgia on Calico Jim

Photo credit: Bekah Jordan

Related Content

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

New to Glide

Keep up-to-date with Glide

Twitter