If you are a music fan, Abbey Road probably needs no introduction. Should you not be too familiar with it, let us refresh your memory! This is an iconic English recording studio, located in London. It’s particularly notable for hosting most of the original Beatles sessions (who also worked at Olympic studio from time to time), not to mention the nearly endless list of legendary artists who had the chance to record and perform at that studio. Hailing from Alabama, singer and songwriter Jay Robertson brought his warm and personal songs to the legendary studio, for a once-in-a-lifetime session. His sound just so happened to be influenced by the fab 4, as well as many other cool acts, from Bob Dylan to The Kinks, and pretty much everything in between!
Jay recently released an album, carrying the title of the famed studio. “At Abbey Road” features 9 studio tracks, each depicting the artist’s honest approach to songwriting. “A Matter of Time,” has a folk-rock vibe, which makes me think of classic acts like Neil Young, as well as talented modern performers such as Cory Branan, among others.
“For The Rest of Your Days” is a melodic, yet introspective song with a nostalgic flair. Its personable lyrics are very easy to relate to, mirroring the personal approach of legendary songwriters like Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan. There are many amazing highlights on this album, but “A Beautiful Life” happens to be one of my favorite songs. I love the simplicity of the arrangement. The guitar is upbeat, and the lush chords bring a feeling of hope to the melody, which is quite timeless. The vocal harmonies are beautiful and direct, and so is the firm guitar tone. “The Hard Rule” is also another highlight. The softness of this song makes me think of acts like Glen Hansard, who is another purveyor of timeless acoustic sounds and confessional-style lyrics.
The production of this album, as you might imagine, is absolutely stellar, and it’s not surprising to read a name such as Abbey Road associated with this high-quality release.