River Of Marigolds. Jon Chi

Often we reviewers of music are on the lookout for cutting edge releases and the latest rage. At the same time it's extremely important to not ignore something very good coming by, that may be sounding totally familiar. A record adding a truckload of niceties to the already existing pile of songs in that genre.

River Of Marigolds by Jon Chi is such an album. Tapping into that kind of U.S. music where country, rock and pop come together to make up songs that are suave, mundane and mature. Think Jon Allen to give a name, to underscore the suave part, think The Rolling Stones' outings in country rock to underscore the rock part. Somewhere in between the country and pop meet.

Jon Chi releases his third solo album with River Of Marigolds. His first in seven years. He is active in music for over a decade, with his former band Rainmaker, as writer and producer and as a solo artist. Having worn out the pandemic, he is ready to take on the world with River Of Marigolds.

Listening to the album is instantly satisfying. The music pleases decades of memories. Especially artists that were on the Def American label in the mid 90s, like The Jayhawks and Dan Baird. Artists that combined country with rock, while always presenting pleasant melodies and interesting guitar solo's. It is exactly this that Jon Chi offers in abundance. All the songs on River Of Marigolds have this flow, this easiness with a rough little edge in the sound. Most have great guitar solo. They all have a warm sound of the kind that welcomes its listeners, like a warm hearth on a cold night. Just listen to that organ go.

Rivers Of Marigolds may contain nothing new on the face of things. In one way it appeals to nostalgic feelings about music from long ago, in the other, it sounds totally urgent and fresh. So, what the album offers, compensates for the nostalgic part more than enough. This album is such a pleasure to listen to. One of the best in its genre I've heard for years.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order River Of Marigold on Jon Chi's Bandcamp page:

https://jonchi.bandcamp.com/album/river-of-marigolds