Pool Of Sound - John Witherspoon

John Witherspoon is a singer/songwriter from Liverpool who is inspired by, and obsessed with, the old-school craftsmanship of icons Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and 'The Beatles', with heavy nods also to the guitar-laden sounds of 90s britpop, 'Oasis' and 'Blur'. His Mum had sorted him and his brother piano lesson at the age of around six or seven before he took up the guitar a couple of years later, but only fell in love with it when he was sixteen years old. It was at that time he began writing his own songs which came from personal experiences. In 2013, as Liverpool Sound City kicked off when the city goes music mad, over at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill they were launching a new acoustic night, Unplugged Fridays, running every week, and announced, " first up John Witherspoon, a Liverpool singer/songwriter, who will be playing for diners and drinkers alike from 7pm- 10pm". He also had the ear of Anfield announcer, George Sephton, who featured his songs in two half-time playlists at Anfield. It was while at his girlfriend Katie's gig at Parr Street that she was chatting away to this fella called George who she didn't have a clue about. As John is a massive Liverpool fan, he gave John his card who then messaged him on Facebook. This resulted in his first single 'Mr Low Down' being played at Anfield, John missed it as he wasn't at the game, but his mate messaged him. Then George played 'My Dad' at the next game when happily John was sat next to his dad.

Studio2 Parr Street

 

In October 2019 they played at Studio2 Parr Street, as one of Liverpool's emerging talents with his band and launched into 'My Dad', the second single from his forthcoming album, 'Showin' Up Startin' Again'. His partner, Katie Nicholas, a budding songstress in her own right, joined him onstage for a new song that will be an obvious inclusion on the forthcoming album, together with staple songs, 'Sweetie Pie', 'I Am Your Darling',' Sad and Beautiful' and, arguably his finest, the gorgeously crafted 'My Mum' which all fit into the set seamlessly as both he and the band are in full swing. Having been a staple of the Liverpool live circuit over the last decade, spending large amounts of time trawling across bars in Liverpool playing in covers bands, he has now released several singles in both 2019 and 2020 which are all set to feature on the new album. He starting recording it in late 2018 at The Cabin studio within Sort Rehearsal Rooms at the Baltic Triangle with Liverpool-based producer Alec Brits. The long-awaited debut album, 'Showin' Up, Startin' Again' was released in December 2020 and his distinctive voice wraps itself around ten personal reflective pieces including single releases, 'Mr Low Down', 'On You Go', 'I Am Your Darling', 'My Dad' and the companion piece 'My Mum'. Taking his cue from artists such as Ryan Adams and Ron Sexsmith, the alternative country feel of the album is best demonstrated on the epic closing number 'Outlaw', which features some atmospheric pedal steel. The mood is serious throughout but the consistency of the songs and performances engage the listener enough without being too sombre. The lead guitar playing on 'Sweety Pie' is also worth a mention with the album overall a strong confident debut of well-crafted material, with a full polished sound emphasised by solid production.

John had also been receiving radio airplay on BBC Music Introducing, interviwed by Jenny Lee Summers on Radio Merseyside in January 2020, and has been busy writing and recording some new music during lockdown. Delighted with how the first album came out John wanted to work with Alec at The Cabin again who agreed to play drums on the album as well as producing it. There are contacts of Alec's on the album, Henry Burnett on keyboards and Scott Poley on pedal steel. The first album batch had come to an end in early 2019 but he didn't write another song for the whole year, not putting the time aside. However with the advent of Lockdown he began writing again, six hours a day in three two hour sessions. Everything at the same time, getting up, working, going for a run, working, tea, doing some more until nine then clocking off and watching T.V. Structure and routine. John said, "Routine allows you to down tools and have downtime at the end of the night, which makes you feel great about it. You've had a good day. And even if you didn't write well, you turned up and did the sessions. That's all you have to do and eventually something will turn up because the alternative is insane to think of. But yeah, second album is ready, we're recording at the moment and I'm very excited about it. I want it to be out in 2021 because I don’t want to take as long as I did with the first one, which is all my life (laughs). I don’t want to wait another 23 years." He is undoubtedly one to look out for, a craftsman and a grafter whose songs are subtlety Liverpudlian, one of the most underrated troubadours Liverpool has to offer.

see also:- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2021/04/pool-of-sound-lucy-gaffney.html