Beautiful Dangerous – a new EP from the John McKenna Band

So starts “Need You Now,” one of the songs from the first official recording of the John McKenna Band.

John McKenna has been on the move, writing and recording, for a long time. From his first low budget cassette, (I seem to remember something about two guitars and a short guy?), he moved on to his collaboration with Nick Nave and quintessential 90s jangly folk-rock band called Huckleberry. “Silver Sword” and “Stapleton Park” gave us a glimpse of things to come. (By the way, you can still buy these at cdbaby). Although the production was rough, it never seemed to matter because the songs were so good.

McKenna wandered, a few more projects, more songs, more places. Then it was on to a reunion with fellow Huckleberry front man Nick Nave to form the band Red Guitar, where they both seemed to stretch their legs a bit. John’s writing, moody and cathartic was beginning to mature. A solo project Stone Cold Summer followed, along with a compilation of past recordings 1969 Gypsy – both of which seem like McKenna clearing his throat for his next verse.

The past is prologue and you have to move on. Still, a little piece of all of his prior collaborations seems to be woven into this newest recording.

Beautiful Dangerous is the name of the new EP. The title track “Beautiful Dangerous,” is a career song; one of McKenna’s best. For the first time ever (I think I can say this because I’ve produced two of John’s records), I feel like production on this new project seems to fit the artist. This isn’t John McKenna trying to be something or accomplish something musically. Beautiful Dangerous simply sounds like John. I’ve always believed McKenna’s music belongs in the Americana/Alt-country genre. Not only because it makes you want to cry in all the right ways, but also because there’s a depth of poetry that feels out of place in pop music… too much pain. This EP flirts with the darkness while dancing on the edges of the genre.

This is due in part to the steel guitar of Jeff Larison and the project’s producer Don Chaffer, but also to the fact that these four songs hold up against anything McKenna has ever written; Channeling a tough couple of years into performances that are haunting, simple, and mesmerizing, it seems like McKenna is finally at home in his sound.

Chaffer seemed to know just how to paint with the talents of the other four eclectic and unique members of the band. John’s songwriting comes to life with the Larison’s steel guitar – just country enough – laying down the perfect palette for these melodies. Todd way (guitar, piano, bass, and vocals), cranks out a constant stream of quirky and interesting colors and parts, especially on piano. Ryan Green is a pro on the drums. He plays with an incredible economy of notes, and let’s the killer drum sounds carry the day. Allison Cloud is a perfect fit on backing vocals. Her evocative, raw singing ability meshes well with McKenna and reminds me of Pam Tillis. The players showed seasoned confidence by not fighting for the spotlight in what is, in the end, a wonderfully minimalist recording.

I have to admit, I love this band’s strange concoction of virtuoso musicians and diverse personalities…. It really, really works.

This mellow four song EP is only $3.95 on itunes. I promise you’ll love it from start to finish.