John Lester - 'Big Dreams and The Bottom Line'

2004 John Lester Music

Bass players have featured more prominently on this web site of late, covering recent releases from legends such as Les Claypool and delving into the army of bottom-end guests on the Gov't Mule Deep End epics.
In comparison, John Lester cuts a rather unassuming and obscure figure.
The influences on 'Big Dreams and The Bottom Line' cover a wide range of musical styles, with an emphasis on neo-acoustic jazz, offering a precious glimpse into the world of artistic and idiomatic compositions by a thoughtful and insightful individual.

And whilst Lester and his mistress (a vintage upright bass named Sarah) meander lazily through palpable bass lines on 'The Heart Of Our Family' and 'The Garden', Lester's dexterity on the 6 string fretless bass on most of the other tracks on the album is both melodic and intense. He avoids the impetuosity of the bottom-end giants of the jam band scene, trading the forceful and muscular electric bass style from that genre into an expressive and layered acoustic style, more suited to the self-penned material on the album.

Although Lester appears to conform to traditional musical values, he comes across as an engaging eccentric, which will no doubt endear him to niche market music fans. With his somewhat gruff, but laconic and delicate vocals, perfectly attune to his chosen instrument, it is no wonder that this songsmith has become popular amongst the more discerning gig-goers in London.

reviewer: www.musicworkz.co.uk/jamm