TMN Radio New Artist: Jason Heath and The Greedy Souls

Los Angeles-based band Jason Heath And The Greedy Souls will release its new album, A Season Undone on September 11, 2015. A Season Undone builds on the same foundation of fiery roots rock heard on their previous albums, which prompted Paste Magazine to call their first record, A Vain Hope Of Horse, “A wonderful debut: ragged, soulful, and well written.” Rock journalist Dave Marsh said of their second disc, Packed For Exile, “Jason Heath and The Greedy Souls speak to the heartache and joy in the world, with the wisdom not to try to separate them, and the skill to make all of it beautiful.”

Their music has attracted heavy hitters Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Wayne Kramer (MC5), and Nels Cline (Wilco) to make guest album appearances and to appear at their live shows. Heath and his fellow Greedy Souls always return the favor, both musically and by participating in their charity events.

The album’s single “Turn On (The Radio)” has the listener blazing down the road, feeling rebellious, heading to a good time with partners in crime. But that good time might be a rabble-rousing Union port closing, the local jail, or a show for the Midnight Mission on Skid Row. In almost every track on this album, you can hear a rally cry, a call to action. “We Came To Work” bellows, “Tell me can you see the writing on the wall/Is there anyone among us who can hear that silence call/The pressure’s building at the bottom of the sea/I feel that spirit movin’ deep inside of me …We came to work to shine a light.”

That inspiration is delivered with wild accordion from Jason Federici (son of the late Danny Federici, organ/accordionist and founding member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band), standout keys from Chris Joyner (Ray Lamontagne, Tom Morello, Amos Lee), blistering guitars from Justin Salmons, and those words sung with gusto by Mr. Heath for a song that could define a genre called “Saloon Rock.” Rounding out the band are drummers Abraham Etz and Casey Johnson, Jose Esquivel and Will Mack on bass, haunting lap steel by Tobin Dale, and lush violin by Ysanne Spevack (Smashing Pumpkins, Elton John, David J). Soulful, soaring background vocals by Farayi Dominique and Laura Key elevate several of the tracks, recalling a tent revival or a Sunday service in Harlem. Every single player delivers a spirited performance.

Songs “All The Fighters” and “Evolution Now” take you right back out to the streets to join the struggles, battle cries with banjos, to remind you that through it all, “Your enemy is still your brother.” This band lives this philosophy off-stage all day, serving their brothers and sisters through wonderful organizations like The Midnight Mission, Jail Guitar Doors, and The Danny Fund (named for Federici’s father, Danny Federici, who passed away from melanoma).

Jason Heath & The Greedy Soul are now playing on TMN Radio.