Robert Jordan

This Spotlight was originally intended to be a show review, seeing as I am a fan of the other two artists who also played the show that night. However, I found one of the three musicians, the one who I had never before heard of, that played the Fox & Goose that early night in June to have a fascinating story. Though everyone has an interesting story behind them, I have decided to focus on him for now.

His name is Robert Jordan. He’s a vocalist - a guitarist - a pianist. And it doesn’t stop there. He also plays the harmonica and his personality captures an audience instantaneously. On top of it all, he has come to Sacramento from Dublin. No, I’m not speaking of the tri-valley area of California. I’m referring to Dublin, Ireland. He just arrived here in the states on the 27th on May and already has multiple shows in the lineup.

Influenced by Charley Patton, Bob Dylan, Son House, William Blake, Dylan Thomas and Hank Williams, this fella describes his genre being that of “Folk and blues playing a game of tag.” Though he was previously part of a band, he has been rollin’ solo since December of last year and tells this about the experience:

“I started in December of 2010 at a venue called Whelans in Dublin, Ireland. I was offered a show with a band I was previously in, but the promoter didn't know we had split up. So I showed up on my own with my guitar in hand. The promoter was a ghastly brute of a man, the kind of man that wouldn't think twice about brandishing a metal bar over your head for fun. You know the type? Anyway he had a couple of strong words with me about my lonely arrival, and as he spat out ridiculous, brutal, threats through his grimy teeth he swiftly pushed me on stage to a full house. It was a wonderfully horrid experience,” said Jordan.

Don’t let that short time frame of Jordan call the shots though. This guy has something special behind his name, and Sacramento should feel honored that he has traveled the distance he has to share his sound and talent with us.

Playing the Fox & Goose back in June as part of the lineup with Chris Knight of the band These Paper Satellites and Martin Purtill is going to be a memorable one for Jordan.

“It was the first time I got asked for an autograph. It was odd and wonderful. Thank you, Sacramento folk, for being so hospitable,” Jordan said.

Jordan already has one EP out titled 'This Bayonet Tongue', and the next album is all written and ready to go It’s just waiting on a studio decision. ‘This Bayonet Tongue’ is up for listening on both Jordan’s Facebook page as well as his Bandcamp page. Within the next year, his goals are to do a European tour which will include UK, Germany, France and Ireland and then come back to the United States to tour
California, Tennessee, New York and Texas. He will be leaving to head back to Ireland at the beginning of August, but don’t let that bring you down! You can still get the chance to see Jordan perform his magic in all that is good at one of his two upcoming shows he has planned for July. I highly suggest you take in all you can of him before he heads back overseas.

“I leave for Ireland in August. However, I'll be back in the states by the end of the year with a lick of hope. I still haven't found my home yet,” Jordan said.

Catch Robert Jordan at one of his upcoming live shows:

Thursday, July 7th @ Odd Fellows Hall in Davis. Martin Purtill will also be playing.
Saturday, July 16th @ the Arlene Francis Theater Martin Purtill and These Paper Satellites will also be playing.

Listen to Robert Jordan’s EP 'This Bayonet Tongue' at his:

Facebook
Bandcamp - The Local Slice

This Bayonet Tongue.
"This Record combines poetic beauty with the storytelling of the folk tradition. In our opinion, It's The best release of 2011." - Bandcamp.com