Luke Jackson sings with an extraordinarily rich voice and possesses a guitar technique astonishing for one so young. I first heard him sing four years ago and even then his songwriting suggested a performer of rare promise. I confidently predict Luke will be one of the success stories of this year’s Shrewsbury Festival.” (Steve Knightley, Show of Hands, Co-Patron, Shrewsbury Folk Festival)
Having just celebrated his 18th birthday, Luke Jackson is one of the youngest rising stars to emerge on the UK folk scene. Following his success in the recent Beautiful Days/Acoustic Magazine Singer Songwriter competition, coming second out of an original entry of over 1000, Luke launches his debut album More Than Boys on the Village Stage at Shrewsbury Folk Festival this Sunday at 12.45pm. Produced by acclaimed Welsh singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph, who also performs on a couple of tracks, the album reveals the “show-stopping voice and honed guitar skills of the Kent teenager who has been making ripples on the live scene supporting such luminaries as Show of Hands, Paul Brady, Chris Wood, Steve Knightley, Lucy Ward and Boo Hewerdine and playing Sidmouth, Bristol and Trowbridge festivals”.
Martyn Joseph: “There is no doubt that Luke Jackson has an enormous amount of talent and promise. I think the album we have recorded is a faithful picture of what this gifted young man has to offer. He delivers his songs and messages with a passion and commitment that can’t be taught. I became aware of his fantastic gift when he was just thirteen and have watched with great interest as that has developed. I’m really proud to be releasing his album on the label and will look forward to seeing the impact he has on the scene in the coming years.”
Documenting his journey from adolescence to young adulthood, Luke’s songs draw inspiration from his childhood memories and family ties and are “by turns powerful, passionate, poignant and pop tinged”.
Luke: “I guess a lot of the songs are about friendship and how quickly time goes from playing games with mates and sharing carefree days to going your separate ways and having to make adult decisions.”
Watch Luke performing the title track which closes the album – “a gentle song about a group of lads gone fishing” – filmed for a recent Songs From The Shed session. Luke: “It’s just a scene that I saw from the bus when they were walking across the meadows with their fishing rods. It’s really about one of those days when you don’t have a worry in the world – just a perfect day.”
If you can’t make it to Shrewsbury Folk Festival this weekend, you can catch Luke performing at Martyn Joseph’s annual PipeFest at Lancaster University on Saturday 8th September and also as Martyn’s special guest on his 30-date UK autumn tour starting 25th October and running until 9th December 2012.
See Luke’s website for more details.
