Photo courtesy of Dome Records
(April 6, 2022) The first time I heard Jarrod Lawson do a cover of a song was in 2018 when he did an unplugged version of “The EX Factor.” Lawson was one of several indie soul artists who recorded unplugged or analog versions of their original songs and covers for a Spotify compilation. The collection included some topflight talent, but Lawson’s performance stood out. His work on the keyboards was superb. That jazzy touch Lawson added the helped to distinguish Lawson’s cover from Lauryn Hill’s beloved original and his emotive baritone was brilliant as usual.
(April 6, 2022) The first time I heard Jarrod Lawson do a cover of a song was in 2018 when he did an unplugged version of “The EX Factor.” Lawson was one of several indie soul artists who recorded unplugged or analog versions of their original songs and covers for a Spotify compilation. The collection included some topflight talent, but Lawson’s performance stood out. His work on the keyboards was superb. That jazzy touch Lawson added the helped to distinguish Lawson’s cover from Lauryn Hill’s beloved original and his emotive baritone was brilliant as usual.
YouTube has video of Lawson’s live performances of “Can’t Hide Love,” “A Song For You,” “Ribbon in the Sky,” and “Footsteps in the Dark.” Each performance shows an artist in total control of his vocal instrument, and each whet my appetite to hear what Lawson could do if he ever decided to record one of these classic tunes. Lawson has now obliged by recording a cover of The Isley Brothers 1977 classic, and he does not disappoint.
Jarrod Lawson’s version is true to the original while also possessing some distinctive qualities. He tracks the original song’s instrumental arrangement, as well as the haunting, melodic backing vocals, but this version contains an improvised keyboard solo that gives the recording a jazz fusion touch that is right on time. It takes a lot of hutzpah to cover classics like this and it takes a lot of talent to pull it off and Lawson has an abundance of both – but particularly the talent. Check him out here.
By Howard Dukes
Jarrod Lawson - "Footsteps In The Dark"