Music Review: Kevin Jenkins, Til The Story’s Told

By Melissa Bratcher

To attempt to pigeonhole Kevin Jenkins would be a mistake. On Til The Story’s Told, Jenkins’s sophomore effort, there are hints of soul, Americana, face-ripping funk, and gospel. His diverse influences come together to make songs that have depth and range, that sound both familiar and quite unusual.

Kevin Jenkins has had a long running career (38 years!) as a professional bassist, playing with artists like Cyndi Lauper, Graham Parker, Black 47, and October Project. He’s played Albert Hall and Madison Square Garden. Obviously, he’s an enormously talented bassist, but what I love is his voice.

Jenkins has a rich, versatile voice, sometimes sounding like Lenny Kravitz, sometimes sharing aural qualities with Al Green. On the opening track, a soulful cover of Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 chestnut “Spirit In The Sky,” Jenkins’s voice is rich and clear. A burbling electronic psychedelia buttresses a fairly faithful instrumental version of the song, but the thing that sets this cover apart is the meditative chant that kicks it off: “Jesus and Moses/Mohammed and Krishna.” A spiritualistic bent runs through all of Til The Story’s Told and all comers are welcomed. The title track is the most thrilling kind of gospel music, a “come to Jesus” song with a driving bassline and a quietly honking harmonica that sounds like a baby goose.

“Why” is a mostly perfect song. Jenkins vocals are gorgeous, gentle and relaxed, while the lyrics are wrenching. A muted lead guitar from Tomas Doncker intertwines with quiet acoustic. The only issue is a jarring stinger at the end of the track. While it does give the song resolution, it feels unnecessary and discordant. “Tangled Up” finds an easy groove and settles in. The production here is excellent; the acoustic guitar is just prominent enough to be heard over the rhythm guitar line, and the back-up vocals are velvety. Jenkins is in fine voice here and his slip into falsetto is quite elegant. Conversely, the smooth “Before You Close Your Eyes,” about the death of a loved one, is raw and honest.

“County Line” is pure Americana. It’s all dusty roads and acoustic guitars, with yearning fiddle from Alan Grubner, and the story that Jenkins tells is compelling. He truly sells the song with his expressive voice. The sinuous “Crazy Weather” is a showcase for Jenkins’s variable vocal styles. Both funky and edgy with Biblical overtones, the guitar is murky and Jenkins alternates between a swampy growl and clarion-clear singing.

Til The Story’s Told doesn’t rely on pyrotechnics to sell its songs. It’s a deeply personal album, one that’s also wonderful, heartbreaking, and so uplifting.

Til The Story’s Told was released on June 9 through True Groove Global Soul.