Jonathan Edwards released his self-titled solo debut in 1971. The album had “Everybody Knows Her”, the 420-friendly hinting “Shanty’ and a massive hit in the song “Sunshine”. The album catapulted Jonathan from driving to being driven through the fifteen minute mile and helped him achieve celebrity status. The spotlight glare is not the only place music exists and once though the Top of the Pop attention faded, Jonathan Edwards has been making and performing music for over forty years. In 2008, a 90-minute documentary of Jonathan’s life and career entitled That’s What Our Life Is was released. ‘My Love Will Keep’ is Jonathan's first studio CD in 14 years. The album contains a dozen songs, including “Johnny Blue Horizon” (inspired by John Denver) and “Lightkeeper,” written for the same-titled movie, a celebration of the world’s oceans.
The Alternate Root (TAR): A four decade career is pretty amazing. Did having such a big impact with your first album help?
Jonathan Edwards (JE): For sure, I had a lot of street cred; many friends from that period did not have that initial success. I have kept up touring as part of my career which helps a lot.
TAR: There are many tools now to help build a career. The late 60's did not have as many options. How did you separate yourself?
JE: I did a guerilla marketing thing. In the summer of 1969, I went out into the woods and started writing
songs every day. I lived near Boston. By the end of summer I had a crowd. I would play "Everybody Knows Her" and people would sing along. I would get shouts to play that song about sitting in the kitchen. I had a car, an amp and a PA system. I got a map of every college in New England and started driving. I went into every student lounge; I would find a PA outlet, plug in and play until somebody kicked me out. By that fall, I had a name; I wasn't waiting around to be signed. I knew that no one would hear my songs if I sat in my apartment.
TAR: Common sense that not many follow.
JE: It goes back to the basics of being a songwriter. Get an audience, attract and acquire.
TAR: Do you use any of the more modern tools to continue your success?
JE: In a word, no. I am old school; I do not resonate with digital age. The live experience is a lot of what I do, a bare bones guy with an acoustic guitar,
TAR: Do you bring the same operating method into the studio?
JE: The recording processes have changed over the years. I believe that you should dance with the one that brought you. I am one of those people who make records the way they used to make records and am still the most comfortable in that process. This was my first studio album in fourteen years, made inside a completely digital domain, recorded to two inch tape and then digitized. I am not a fan of the digital sound. If I find music that I like, I can't get inside of it as an mp3; I can't turn it up real loud. It is very opaque, very hard.
TAR: On "My Love Will Keep', your voice fits comfortably into the arrangements. Do you find it easy to find a voice for your songs, anything come along and surprise you as the songs age?
JE: I am really familiar with some of these songs, they go way back. I am like a pitbull, I hold onto songs until all the stars are aligned to record them. This album is such a product of alignment. We recorded in Portland, Maine. I took charge of it from start to finish. Schedules had to be juggled; often who was playing on a particular track was determined by their schedule,
TAR: Do you find that messages in your songs remain sharp or do they sneak up and hit people later?
JE: "Sunshine” is a subtle protest song, which not everybody gets. I do not always open that door. I started railing against the war in Afghanistan at my live shows, getting into these rants. People didn't like it, didn't think that was the correct forum, and thought I was proselytizing. The war goes way beyond politics, it is a matter of right and wrong, so black and white, our involvement is ridiculous. I stopped talking about it, stopped talking about bringing people home. I guess my silence is the price I pay for the heroin that is performing live.
TAR: You touch on some social issues on 'My Love Will Keep, in songs such as "Everybody Works in China".
JE: "Everybody Works in China' is an old song that has certainly gained relevance over the years. My friend Henry wrote that tune. Everything you see in Wal-Mart is made overseas.
TAR: The attachment you have to your songs comes through even when you are just talking about them.
JE: Songs are literally like children, it is hard to pick which is your favorite child. They change over time, sometimes from night to night. I am blessed with having a great stable of musicians for touring or I can play solo. People seem love to love the shows both ways, with a band or solo.
More on Jonathan Edwards DVD documentary can be found on his website, as well as information about upcoming shows. Danny McCloskey
