Sojourn

Music Review: Sojourn - Once Again

Label: Hamster Wheel Records Length: 15/50:01

Sojourn makes a come back statement. This band that has been around, occasionally blipping off the radar, only to reappear once again. Their on again, off again, on again band life has not been do to lack of effort. Adam Parmenter the bands lead singer and lyricist have, like the rest of us, been trying to pay bills and has realized that life with a family and a band isn’t easy. I’m glad that he’s kept his priorities and let the band slip occasionally, instead of his family. I mention all of this because it’s out of this everyday life that Adam writes and sings stories of life in a city of hearts and souls. “Big Mouth” the opening track on “Once Again” deals honestly with himself not always liking what he finds. Honest lyrics. They cover “Cats In The Cradle” and “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” which fit in well their own material. A song about the love relationship with his wife Adam says was named “June 23rd” because that’s his wedding anniversary he wanted to remember the date.

Tim Hamm (bass/vocals), joined Sojourn in 1993 and displays his versatility providing melodic underpinnings for the band. Dean Newell (acoustic & electric guitar/vocals) is co-founder of the band with Adam (vocals) and they have been friends since childhood. The newest member is Denny Jeltema (drums) who joined in 1998. Denny’s drumming works well with the guitar and bass and adds a splash of flavor that pushes the band onward.

I always wonder why certain songs make it to a recording. Here the band put on 10 songs from the studio and then repeats several of the songs in a “live” context. The feel of the “Live” set of songs feels good and is helped along by fresh crispness to the overall sound. This however accents the lack of crispness in the studio cuts. This could’ve been taken care of by a good mastering service. When money is in short supply what’s a band to do? In these days of Pro Tools and other computer based recording gear, it hard to know what a band will sound like live. So if nothing else, it gives you a chance to compare their live sound with what they do in the studio, and that part holds up fine.

The band members of Sojourn work very well as a team, forming a cohesive musical sound. Instead of the lead guitar, bass and drums format prevalent in many places, they have opted for a tight rhythm unit that has it’s melodic nature supplied by the bass. (And of course Adam’s singing). This sound works well for the band and with this recording I feel that they’ve found themselves. If they can afford to keep the band a float financially Sojourn is a band to keep an eye on. So here’s your chance to get some good music and help out a good band, buy this CD. www.sojournband.com

Breezy acoustic guitar, melody, and a generous portion of religious imagery.

Review by Ed Englerth

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