Jon Allen Releases New Single "Jonah's Whale"
- by Ashley Dubbs
- in Latest
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With a voice that is equal parts Rod Stewart, Van Morrison and Sam Cooke, Jon Allen has an uncanny ability to write songs that feel instantly familiar. The British singer-songwriter returns after four years, releasing his fourth album, "Blue Flames", May 18th 2018. This album represents Allen's growth into soul elements. The record honors classic 60's style of Motown, with feel-good sounds accompanied by Allen's signature raspy vocals. From track to track, Allen ventures into the feelings of joy, love, loss, and change.
Throughout his career, Allen has become a go-to favorite for US music supervisors, with his songs being featured in hit prime time TV shows such as Homeland and Bones, along with movies like The Oranges, Safe Haven and Army of One.
The first single off the album, "Jonah's Whale" released March 9th, starts of the record with reminiscent vibes funk and soul. The upbeat single ignites the album. On the process of writing the single Allen states:
"With 'Jonah’s Whale' I stumbled upon the groove and chords first and wanted the lyric to evoke the sense of joyfulness I was getting from playing it through on an acoustic guitar. I settled upon the concept of a central character, head over heels in a love bubble, blinded to the outside world’s troubles. If this song doesn’t make you feel good, I have failed."
It was the experience of immersing himself in the production and vibe of classic recordings of the sixties and seventies from iconic record labels such as Motown, Stax, Atlantic and Chess that made Allen think it would be great to bring more of that earthiness to his sound for Blue Flame’s recording sessions.
Today, Jon Allen, is looking forward to sharing the soulful excitement of "Blue Flame", out May 18th 2018.
Winchester-born, Jon Allen was originally discovered by Mark Knopfler in 2006 (who later offered to play guitar for him), but it was the single "In Your Light" from Allen’s 2009 debut album Dead Man’s Suit that landed him a coveted spot on “Later…with Jools Holland”. Allen’s second album ‘Sweet Defeat’ (2011) continued his rise, spawning the Radio 2 A-listed hit track "Joanna" – the song that made it onto the soundtrack of the global TV smash Homeland.
Allen toured extensively during this period, both solo and with his band, appearing with Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, Seal (who would tell Jon every day he should be making soul records) and Damien Rice, amongst others. ‘Deep River’, Allen’s last album, released in 2014, received the best reviews of his career to-date from the UK’s national press and was made BBC Radio 2’s ‘Album of The Week’. After his UK tour to promote ‘Deep River’, Jon took a break to write songs with and for other artists, while also writing music for films.
2. Keep On Walking
3. Since You Went Away
4. It's Just the End of the World
5. If You Change Your Mind
6. Tightrope
7. Hold You In My Heart
8. Better Day
9. Stay
10. Waking Dream
11. Blue Flame
12. You (US Exclusive Bonus Track)
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