It’s 11am and the phone is ringing. I am surviving on four hours sleep from the previous night, but I am immediately woken by a soft, friendly, Italian voice on the other end of the phone, belonging to the extremely talented Jack Savoretti.
Savoretti, now releasing his 4th album, Written in Scars, has taken a completely different approach to prior albums. Co-written and co-produced with Samuel Dixon, Adele’s musical director, and rhythm and blues expert, all songs have developed from “rhythm upwards”. Though Savoretti states “100%, lyrics are equal to music,” this emphasis on rhythm shines through in a motivated sense of purpose in each track, accompanied by soulful, husky vocals. Tribal sounds and a rooted feel are evident in songs like ‘Home’ and ‘Written in Scars,’ and the recurrence of “revolution” and “fight” throught the songs’ lyrics, demonstrate the artist’s full presence with the listener. This makes sense when I am told that while the first three albums were written in the midst of experiences, even pre-emptive of situations, Written in Scars is “post the fight,” a retrospective account of “local and global events”. He is “channelling an idea rather than making it”, and such reflection of rawness is what any listener is looking for.
This honest sound is reflected in the production process. Each song on the album was written in a single day. Savoretti’s openness is refreshing and very engaging. I have to remind myself that we are not old friends, and yet I feel I can understand his entire musical journey.
“When you write a song, you go into your subconscious”, it’s about “here and now”. This immediacy draws me further into the conversation and it is clear that music is what Savoretti calls a form of “craftsmanship”. With influences like Simon and Garfunkel, and lead singer of Sublime, Bradley Nole, it is emotion that Savoretti connects to and creates.
He tells me he is very excited about his upcoming tour, especially his biggest headline show in London, 4th March at Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Jack Savoretti will be playing at the Brudenell Social Club, 15th February.
Nina Fine
photos: ytimg.com, Claire Nathan