CD Review: Parker Ainsworth's 'Leave On The Lights'

Parker Ainsworth
Leave On The Lights
Self-Release

The second release by Parker Ainsworth, Leave On The Lights, is a stellar seven-track album of personal songs that echo with love and life with each glistening, guitar-note. Parker's vocals seem to be a mix of James Blunt and Five For Fighting. Parker's vocals and guitar are backed by piano, electronic embellishments, bass, cello, accordion, dobro, pedal steel, percussion, and backup vocals by Chaska Potter and Mona Tavokoli. The bluesy, "April Full Moon," is a perfect example of Parker's vocals and instrumentation come together. The more spacious, "Time To Let Go," provides a palette of guitar and electronic splendor that never ceases to amaze the listener. "The Projectionist" is a short, spoken word rambling by Parker about a theater projectionist. The spoken word is supported by some guitar accompaniment. "The Forgiver" is a slightly, western or country-tinged song that echoes back to the old-time music days, but with Parker's iconic vocals. The seemingly silly-titled, "Favorite Jeans," is a sweet song about a pair of jeans with a folk-roots-backed assortment of instruments. Anyone with an interest in contemporary folk-pop or folk-roots music should throw on their 'favorite jeans' before 'april's full moon' and buy his new album and 'leave on the lights' when listening. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Parker Ainsworth 'Parker Loves You'

Parker Ainsworth

Parker Loves You

Self-Released

The classic folk crooner and SoCal resident, Parker Ainsworth, is a guitarist with a big heart and a big soul. The guitar, percussion, and piano, is more folk-based than blues on this five-song release. From the opening "Awake" to the final "Higher Up," it doesn't take long to draw vocal comparisons to the UK's David Gray and Australia's Xavier Rudd with the instrumental folk sensibilities of the earlier work of Shawn Colvin and the jazz-tinged pop of Sara Bareilles. "We Just Forgot" is an emotive ballad with smart lyrics and a sparkling piano melody with an equally entrancing rhythm. Parker Loves You is poignantly, albeit appropriately titled, because it is an infectious and golden album of intelligent folk tunes without reliance on today's electronic accompaniments, dance beats, or redundant hip hop beats. Furthermore, every song on this album is radio-friendly. Parker knows how to compose memorable songs that might resemble anything by Shawn Colvin, Xavier Rudd, David Gray, and other similar artists. Buy it today. Parker will love you for it! ~ Matthew Forss