At The Barrier is always keen to promote young artists. Amongst the plethora of bands and singer/songwriters are the supremely talented Just Above Snakes. 

Release Date:  Available Now

Label: Still Above Snakes Records

Format: CD / Digital

JUST ABOVE SNAKES

Just Above Snakes’ uplifting album, All He’s Ever Known, which is a mix of covers and original compositions is another breath of fresh air in a genre that is too often wrongly regarded these days by the uninitiated as, dirgy and dull.

JAS are definitely not either of these as their skiffle sounding music brings a nice summery festival vibe. One can almost feel like you are sitting in a field, on a balmy sunny afternoon with a glass of whatever does you good and soaking in the vibrant mood .

All He’s Ever Known starts with a self written track; Man You Don’t Want To Meet. Its clever change in tempo shows craftsmanship in their song writing. Separately, the duo are very different but when put together  they blend together nicely. This mysterious song is about the man we are not looking forward to meet. The devil, if I know who?

Their skiffly version  of  Lindisfarne’s Meet Me On the Corner may be close to the original but the delivery in music and vocals has an appealing freshness to it. It could be fair to say that SilverBlues, who performed at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention with Lindisfarne founder member Ray Jackson, did not do a better version than this. It’s always a risky business covering music classics but Just Above Snakes show they are up to the challenge.

A LIVE FAVOURITE

The pace drops temporarily for the solemn opening to the ‘lost – in -love’ song Lapse In Love. Eventually,  a bouncier rhythm gets the feet tapping again.  March On concludes the set on which a twinkly banjo is added to the bright cheerful mood encouraging us not to give up.

Modern folk music of today is not afraid to delve into a bit of rock n roll, prog or metal. This record lends an ear to the early skiffle sound of the 50’s (Lonnie Donegan would be proud) in its rhythmic quality. Their songs, however, are far from being retrograde or outdated.

You can see why Keaton Marrs (acoustic guitar) and Peter Shaw (bass) as Just Above Snakes are clearly a festival favourite. They would also be a popular folk club scene hit too.

A September tour  of the north-west visiting Lancaster, their home base, and places like Crewe, Chester and Northwich should be inserted into your diary of gigs to cheer up a gloomy night. Check all the dates here. You can buy the CD here.

Just Above Snakes: Website / Facebook / Instagram

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