LIKE A ROOT OUT OF DRY GROUND
ALBUM OUT JUNE 27
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LIKE A ROOT OUT OF DRY GROUND
Brian Eaton’s seventh album dives deep into the fertile territory where jazz fusion meets the dusty plains of Americana, a style he dubs “cowboy jazz.” This deeply personal and sonically adventurous album mines emotional depths through genre-defying soundscapes. Written during a challenging period in his life, the heartfelt collection pays tribute to his father while exploring themes of resilience.
What makes this album particularly compelling is the deeply personal context surrounding its creation. The majority of the music was written during a challenging period when Eaton’s father was battling serious health issues in his final days. This emotional weight permeates the album, lending a profound sense of vulnerability and introspection to the intricate instrumental arrangements.
The album serves as a heartfelt dedication to Eaton’s father, the very man who ignited his lifelong passion for jazz. The evocative title, Like a Root out of Dry Ground, is drawn from Isaiah chapter 53, a passage reflecting on the promise of redemption found amidst suffering. It hints at resilience amidst hardship, a fragile beauty emerging from barren soil. This metaphorical resonance echoes throughout the album.
Tracks like "Branches Lay Broken" don’t shy away from the stark reality of pain, yet within their melancholic contours, there's a yearning for solace, a reaching towards light. The title track, "Like a Root out of Dry Ground," likely explores this theme further, perhaps with a musical tenacity that mirrors the image of life stubbornly pushing through adversity. And in the evocative imagery of "The Sitka Sings, The Sitka Sleeps," one can almost hear the quiet dignity of nature mirroring the human experience of both vitality and rest—a metaphor for death.
The final track, "Words Forever Echo (For Dad)," is bound to leave a lasting impression. The inclusion of a voicemail message from Eaton’s father, recorded just days before his passing, followed by the stark silence of a ringtone, is a brave and profoundly moving artistic choice. It strips away any artifice, leaving the listener with the raw, unfiltered reality of absence. The echo in the title speaks not only to the lingering presence of a loved one’s voice but also to the enduring impact of their influence.
Like a Root out of Dry Ground is not an easy listen, not in the sense of being technically demanding, but in its emotional weight. It demands attention, invites introspection, and ultimately rewards the listener with a deeply resonant and profoundly human experience. Eaton has not just created an album; he has crafted a testament to love, loss, and the enduring power of music to give voice to the unspeakable. This is not just "cowboy jazz"; it's a journey through the heartland of human emotion, guided by a singular artistic vision.
Brian Eaton - electric & acoustic guitars, bass, keyboards, drums & percussion
Produced & Engineered by Brian Eaton
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Brian Eaton at Eatin' Records, Portland, OR
All music written & arranged by Brian Eaton and published by BSE Music (ASCAP)
Originally recorded, mixed & mastered digitally in 96kHz / 24-bit format
Album artwork & design by Brian Eaton. Cover photo by Dorothea Lange, 1938; back cover photo by Arthur Rothstein, 1936. Both images are courtesy of the U.S. Farm Security Administration.
As always, thank you to my family & friends. Special thanks to Lynn Darroch (Jazz Scene/KMHD), Dave Leonatti (NPR), Ron Pelletier (Jazz from Gallery 41), James Kibby (All Jazz Radio), Tim Lamping, Duane Williams (WWOZ), Michael Ricci (All About Jazz), Bob Osborne (World of Jazz), Allegra Drums, and the fans for their continued support.
℗© 2025 Eatin' Records / BSE Music (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved. Releases June 27, 2025
