Welcome to another installment of our Another Groove series, dedicated to introducing new music that is neither “pure” soul nor R&B but which includes elements of those genres by artists generally categorized as outside the soul arena. This week we feature the track “When You’re Smiling And Astride Me” by Father John Misty.
The Good Father, my friends, is decidedly not an ordained preacher. That moniker is the stage name of Joshua Michael Tillman, an itinerant singer/songwriter, guitarist and percussionist who most recently was the drummer for Fleet Foxes, a critics’ darling of the indie rock world. Late last year Misty released his latest solo album, I Love You Honeybear, and has also appeared on recent albums by Kid Cudi and Beyoncé. His music is a delightful and eclectic potpourri of rock, blues, “freak” folk and country with an occasional, gentle undercurrent of soul.
The featured track is a church organ-driven paen to a lover that is awash in strings and gospel-choir backing vocals, with a graceful, nuanced vocal by Misty that is reminiscent of the great Jimmy Webb. It’s a floating, spiritual ride. Enjoy.
By Robb Patryk
