Yim Yames Tribute To (Rough Trade)
4/5
By: Liane Escorza
A few days after George Harrison passed away in 2001, Yim Yames (Jin James from My Morning Jacket) recorded a six-sing EP of Harrison covers as a tribute. The result is a mixture of pain, serenity, meditation and love.
There is no denying that Harrison’s classics shine beautifully on their own so it is clear that Yames’s attempt and goal was merely to express the emotions felt at the loss of his admired musician. There is no pretence and no sense of ownership in any form, only a modest and stripped-down praise to Harrison on acoustic strings and whispering vocals.
‘Long Long Long’ and ‘All Things Must Pass’ are both intimate and warm, with solitary hushed tunes against tender strokes of the guitar. This mood is kept at ‘Behind That Locked Door’, a country waltz interpreted with additional backing vocals by Yames/James himself. The simplicity of the takes is such that silence, the backing platform of sound, is turned into a ghostly aura and serves as another instrument.
In ‘Love You To’, vocals are lost in the background and guitar and banjo are placed on the foreground as if roles have been reversed, while Yames’s voice becomes the main melodic instrument like a sighing prayer in ‘My Sweet Lord’. ‘Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)’ is, however, the track that truly lifts the mourning air with that suave and soulful one note of a piano.
Yames’/James’ Tribute To is a raw and minimalist way of opening wounded hearts, a way of bringing feelings to the surface through Harrison’s melodies, and a personal way of mourning the loss of an artist whom he felt a special connection with. As he rightfully says, “This tribute is the prime example of the healing power of music.”
Artists in this article: Yim Yames, My Morning Jacket
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment