Brent Cobb - And Now, Let's Turn To Page… (Album Review)
Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Written by Simon Ramsay
Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
Most people have been forced to contemplate their own mortality in light of recent events. That’s certainly true of Brent Cobb, but perhaps not for the reason you might think. After surviving a near fatal car crash in 2020 alongside his young son, the country singer channelled his experience into creating ‘And Now Let’s Turn To Page…’, the life-affirming, philosophical southern gospel album he’d always wanted to make.
If that initially sounds too religious for even Cobb’s most devout fans, fear not. Yes, references to Jesus, ascending to the kingdom above, spending time in church, and wrestling with sin feature prominently throughout eight reimagined gospel standards, and one self-penned effort, but Cobb isn’t here to force his beliefs on anyone.
Sounding more like an intimate, engrossing back porch storyteller than a preacher man, his thoughtful, down-home emoting makes these songs’ messages transcend their roots, with a meditative sense of acceptance, spirituality, wisdom and peace tenderly flowing from Just A Closer Walk With Thee and Old Rugged Cross.
Having emerged from his near death experience with newfound clarity and purpose, Cobb’s unshakable belief that everything happens for a reason is invigorating, regardless of your religious views.
Furthermore, this record never sounds like he’s merely perched on a pew singing gospel. Those standards, previously covered by the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn and Johnny Cash, have been filtered, to a greater or lesser degree, through his own rootsy Americana aesthetic as he strikes the right balance between reverence and reinterpretation.
There’s a vintage country-gospel feel to Softly And Tenderly, with dusky, spacious instrumentation building to a hallelujah-inducing six-string climax, and Are You Washed In The Blood Of The Land boasts giddy Allman Brothers licks. We Shall Rise mixes testifying power with Cobb’s love of JJ Cale and early Lynyrd Skynyrd as he rocks up a salutary storm of greasy funk and fiery exultation.
Working again with cousin and producer Dave Cobb, the varied arrangements here are beautifully empathetic. Adding delicate, understated ambience when appropriate, In The Garden’s dreamy whistling organ offers a fitting hymnal bed. The climax to Cobb’s exquisite When It’s My Time, meanwhile, is one of many moments where guitar flourishes and picturesque piano breaks seem to be answering the singer’s prayers, imparting a sense of profundity that makes you feel you’re moving into the light.
Elsewhere, a stunning combination of ornate and soaring harmonies also amplify the lyrical resonance. Alongside Blessed Be The Ties That Bind, a piece of purest gospel that features members of Cobb’s family in perfect a capella union, the use of backing singers regularly accentuates this record’s thematic focus on finding strength, faith, communion and support outside of yourself.
Wonderfully reassuring and consistently comforting, ‘And Now Let’s Turn To Page…’ moves beyond Cobb’s desire to add his own country gospel record to the genre’s rich history. Thanks to its timeliness, it’s a record that should appeal to the hearts, souls and minds of everyone who’s placed themselves under an existential microscope during the past two years.
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