I remember getting into Jim Guthrie’s material through a bunch of channels and having them all click at once. Someone sent me Now, More Than Ever (strongly suggested for pop-folk fans like myself), I was really digging Islands’ first record that he had a hand or two in the making of and, duh, I learned that he’s one of those Guthries. Now he’s readied a demo for our ears with new album to come in the near future.
MP3: Jim Guthrie - Difference A Day Makes
I like this song more each time I listen to it. At first I wasn’t too enamored with it, finding that it had a lot in common with Joseph Arthur’s weaker material. Then I went back and listened to the front half of Now, More Than Ever and realized that this also has a lot of ties to my favorite of Guthrie’s best songs. It’s got a strong, extended solo; a chord progression and strum pattern that befits a lazy summer afternoon and a melodic chorus that has sort of become his calling card. I’m convinced that a few more plays or a finalized version of this song will put it among my favorite songs of his.
Here’s a fantastic cover that Jim did for a Believer magazine compilation. He tackles the Constantines’ “Nighttime/Anytime (It’s Alright)” and comes out the better man.
MP3: Jim Guthrie - Nighttime/Anytime (Its Alright) (Constantines cover)
