Dale Jones – Evolution

Can you imagine the sound of an album of original songs by a former member of the Tasmanian and Melbourne Symphony orchestras? …acoustic, clever, majestic and beautiful.

CD REVIEW –   by Chris Spencer

Dale Jones has had an unusual career path along the way to becoming a singersongwriter.

After graduating from university with a music degree he gained a position with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and later the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as a double bass player.

While living in Melbourne, he joined two pop bands, Strange Days and Night & Day both of whom released albums. Currently living in Brisbane, Jones composes for films, teaches and has had time to record this album.

It’s an album of lush arrangements, beautiful songs, with layered textures of music, vocals and instruments.It’s very laid back, all songs being ballads or slow, melodic tunes.
“The First Time” has a delicate introduction, a boisterous chorus and many harmony vocals. “Evolution” is a piano based ballad, with female vocals.
“Into Light” contrasts the previous songs, with just vocals and sparse acoustic guitar accompaniment before a soundscape gradually fills the background.

Some of his lyrics are a bit “new-agey”, ie a bit vague, others are love songs giving “expression to universal human experiences” (Jones’ bio writer!)
The album’s best songs are in a triumvirate of songs in the middle of the album.
“No Apparent Reason” discusses people’s uncertain feelings about a world threatened by terrorism; “Since ’62” almost swaggers in its rhythm as Dale reminisces about the past, while “The Earth Man” gives thanks to people who are looking after the environment, although I was hoping it was about one individual, so I could ask, Who is the Earth Man?

“High Time” is a gentle love song, while “Takes my Breath Away” features a folksy violin solo, but as there’s no credit to a musician, I must assume the solo is created by a keyboard – but it’s no less enjoyable.

At times I am reminded of the sound of PHD, in the album’s use of keyboard sounds and vocal delivery. (Sorry to be showing my age…).

Recommended.
It will be interesting to see what Dale Jones records on his next album.