“A soundworld that recalls the rock ‘n’ roll glory years of Tom Petty and the Traveling Wilburys.”  Chateau LaDeau, the new album from Jon LaDeau fits that description, but goes to many other places, too.

Release Date:  22^nd July 2025

Label: Adhyâropa Records

Formats: Digital

JON LADEAU

Hailing from Pine Barrens, New Jersey and now based firmly in Brooklyn, New York, Jon LaDeau is a multi-instrumentalist, a producer and a songwriter.  He’s revered particularly for his guitar skills and Chateau LaDeau is the 5th album in a solo career that began back in 2019, with his solo debut album, Roads.

But there’s far more to the Jon LaDeau story than just that.  He’s a former member of Americana innovators, The National Reserve and, over the years, he’s shared bills with, amongst others, Jeff Tweedy, Emmylou Harris and Sturgill Simpson.

WITH A LITTLE HELP…

The eight songs that comprise Chateau LaDeau began life as a series of demos and they were brought to life with the help of drummer and fellow producer David Butler.  Jon exercises his multi-instrumentalist credentials impressively, taking the lead vocal role throughout the album and contributing guitars, bass, drums, percussion and organ to the mix.  Butler chips in with drums and percussion on a few tracks, as well as with piano, synthesizer, mellotron, orchestral bells and a few drum machine parts, and the tableau is completed by Emily Jackson and Chris Barker, who both provide backing vocals, and Steve Okonski, who adds a bit more organ when required.

GUITAR MASTERY

As has been already noted, Jon LaDeau is known principally as a guitarist and it’s easy to see why as he showcases his skills with opening track, Cactus Tree Boogie.  Listeners could be forgiven for believing that Jon has 10 fingers on each hand as he takes us through his paces, but Cactus Tree Boogie isn’t just an opportunity for Jon to ‘show off,’ it’s also a captivating, mellow, tune.  Speaking of the piece, and its place on the album, Jon says: “…Cactus Tree Boogie is just me and my guitar.  It’s the story of where I’ve come from.  But this album is the story of where I’m headed, and that’s a much bigger narrative.”

And, as if to demonstrate the direction that he’s now pursuing, the lightly-strummed guitars that open Take Me Away herald a tune that could almost be described as ‘symphonic.’  Jon’s double-tracked vocal is warm and reassuring and sprinkles of chiming guitar and piano add to that warmth.  The mid-song guitar solo is a delight and the overall impact is as fragile as a glass statue – and equally attractive.

LICKS AND RHYTHMS

Far Away Place, the album’s lead single, is so much more robust.  It’s a strident rocker, driven along by a fuzz guitar lick and a sharp drumbeat that give the song a happy 1970s feel.  Jon’s vocal is light-touch, but hugely positive.

Described in the album’s press release as the ‘mid-album highlight,’ the punchy East Tennessee Wrecker was the obvious choice as the album’s second single.  The song is built upon an insistent rhythmic pattern – shades of Bo Diddley; Emily Jackson’s passionate backing vocals are shiver-inducing, and the whole shebang is topped off by some wonderful slide guitar from Jon.

THE BAND PLAYS ON…

“This town is gonna make you proud,” sings Jon at the climax of This Town, another solid rocker with a big, big, sound.  Churning guitars, an intense drumbeat and swirling organ provide the foundation for Jon’s strong and confident vocals.

Shoot the Moon, a slow, thoughtful guitar passage with a spacy sound provides a few seconds for the listener to catch breath and gather thoughts, before Jon picks up the pace again with the searing Heartworks.  Jon’s pleading, vulnerable, vocals are at odds with the grinding, punchy backing and I’m reminded of Warren Zevon as Jon’s emotions fall to pieces whilst the band plays on.

SHORT, BUT REMARKABLY SWEET

Chateau LaDeau is brought to its close with the world-weary Memory in Mind.  The song is a country-flavoured weepie with a difference, with Jon voicing his raw anguish to a percussion-heavy backing that shuffles along relentlessly – perhaps allowing Jon the opportunity to re-live his bar-band origins.

Chateau LaDeau is short, but remarkably sweet.  The album has been described as: “A soundworld that recalls the rock ‘n’ roll glory years of Tom Petty and the Traveling Willburys.”  That’s one way of putting it, but there’s a lot more to Chateau LaDeau than mere derivation and Jon LaDeau is a name that we should all be looking out for.

Watch the official veideo to Far Away Place – the album’s lead single – below:

Jon LeDeau online: Official Website / Instagram / YouTube / Bandcamp / Spotify

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