In his home town of Cleveland they call him a folkie. But is that really accurate. Sure when he performs in concert it is predominantly an acoustic guitar and his voice but does that make it folk music? Is the opening cut from his latest album “All Our Fallen Tears” a folk song or “One By One” or “You”?. Since when have power chords been part of the folk music scene? Yes there are songs that might fall into that medium. Delicate songs like “Don’t Make Me Stay” or “To His Knees” or “All Stays the Same”. Perhaps the socio-political nature of some of the songs like “Aryan Nation Man” and others would be of a folk leaning but when the song is in 5/4 time what does it become then? Can you see Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger or Bob Dylan playing this stuff? Probably not ya know. So is it folk?? Who knows and does it really matter? Not to John. He just wants to play his music. He will do it the way he wants. He will make it so it sounds the way he wants it to sound. At that point he hopes the world will appreciate it. If it doesn’t well, he may be disappointed, but his life is no worse for wear. An artist has to make one’s art, regardless of medium, and then hope for the best. If one does that then one can be happy.
Of course don't forget The John McGrail Group
The John McGrail Group is an evolving extension of the music of John McGrail. Originally composed of guitar bass and percussion it has now become the home of guitar, bass, percussion, flutes and whistles. While still mining the darker side of life lyrically, musically the loss of one member left the possibility for improvement. Consisting of John McGrail on vocals and guitar, Jay Bentoff on bass and vocals, Sheela Das on flutes, whistles, guitar and voice and the latest addition of Wolfie on guitar, mandolin, percussion and voice the group is embarking on a newer slightly different path. Change is a good thing!
What Folks have said:
“He’s got blockbuster ones (songs) as he showed... not only has a strong resonant voice, but he also knows how to play a guitar
Jane Scott, Cleveland Plain Dealer
“...shouldn't be ignored. “
Steve Byrne, the Cleveland Scene
“quite the historical handle on a lot of different musical genres” and “he’s one hell of a guitar player
Peter Chakerian, Cool Cleveland
“there’s an imaginative mind at wok here”
Anastasia Pantsios, Notations
“Impressively performed”
Glass Eye, Toledo OH
