Steeped in the tradition of telling stories about a particular place, Jim Patton & Sherry Brokus‘s Harbortowne brings suburban America to life.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Valerie Fremin

Harbortowne has a warts-and-all approach to its storytelling, and Jim’s reflections on the Annapolis and Baltimore areas in which he grew up dispenses with the rose-tinted spectacles. We hear tales of guns, drugs and runaways across its twelve descriptive tracks.

Opening with its title track we get some lively, jaunty Americana that will have you nodding along. Jim takes the lead vocals, while Sherry provides some delicate harmonies. At just over two minutes, it’s a short and bittersweet introduction to their world.

It really is the lyrics that’s the standout feature of the album, but they are beautifully backed by skilful playing and production that doesn’t over-polish things. We get plenty of rawness and warmth in how each story is presented, and the vocals retain a good amount of character.

Particular highlights include the bright and astute Lottery, the groovy and romantic A Woman Like You, the folksy and reflective Sally Brown, and cinematic, philosophical album closer Start Again, in which Sherry takes the lead.

Jim & Sherry’s new album is a heady mix of nostalgic Americana and edgy song-writing, and provides a breath of fresh air for the genre. They have captured what modern folk music should be about – reflecting the real world in song, its beauty and its darkness.

Harbortowne features Jim Patton on acoustic guitar, vocals and lyrics, Sherry Brokus and BettySoo on backing vocals, Rich Brotherton on tenor acoustic guitar, Ron Flynt on acoustic guitar, bass and vocals, and John Bush on percussion. The album is out now and you can listen to it below.