Yellowjacket

by Stephen Fearing

Overview

Two decades into a solid but low-key career, rootsy Canadian folk-rocker Stephen Fearing is as unfashionable as ever, and it seems he wouldn't have it any other way. Yellowjacket is Fearing's eighth solo album, and a return to stripped-down self-production after a slow and gradual creep toward a more polished AAA-radio sound. Crisp and uncluttered, the sound of Yellowjacket recalls that of a classic Richard Thompson album minus the guitar heroics. Similarly, Fearing's songs are unpretentious and charming even when covering such well-worn topics as the siren song of the road (the title track, which seems to be referring to truckstop speed even though the song itself never rises above a sedate amble, and the barroom rock of "One Flat Tire") and the pitfalls of parenthood (the slightly soppy "Love Only Knows"). As comfortable as a favorite old sweater, Yellowjacket is geared almost exclusively for Fearing's small but dependable fan base; there's no attempt to reach out into the larger pop marketplace, and none is required. ~ Stewart Mason

Product Details

Release Date:	04/18/2006
Label:	Phantom Import Distribution / True North Records
UPC:	0620638041024
Rank:	144564

Tracks

1. Yellowjacket
2. The Man Who Married Music
3. One Flat Tire
4. Love Only Knows
5. Like Every Other Morning
6. When My Work Is Done
7. Whoville
8. This Guitar
9. Johnny's Lament
10. Ball 'N' Chain
11. Goodnight Moon

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Stephen Fearing   Primary Artist,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocal Harmony,Glockenspiel,Mandolin,Vocals
Dan Whiteley   Mandolin
Jeff Bird   Double Bass
Josh Finlayson   Vocals (Background)
John Dymond   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Ellen Moore   Violin,Violin
Paul Earle   Violin
Suzie Vinnick   Vocals (Background),Vocal Harmony
Tom Mueller   Cello
Richard Bell   Guitar (Electric)
Colin Linden   Vocals (Background),Dobro,Vocal Harmony
David Travers-Smith   Horn,Horn Engineer
Daniel Whiteley   Mandolin
Elspeth Thomson   Viola
Gary Craig   Drums,Percussion
Scott Merritt   Leslie Pedal

Technical Credits

Stephen Fearing   Audio Production,String Arrangements,Photography,Producer,Engineer,Composer
Tom Wilson   Composer
Patrick Harbron   Photography
Josh Finlayson   Composer
Colin Linden   Engineer
Will Kimbrough   Composer
Nik Tjelios   String Engineer
Scott Merritt   Engineer