Ben Graves

Settle Down

LIttle Firecracker Music

Chances are that you have never heard of Ben Graves. Yet the singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has been quite the valuable sideman, having played with Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, James Taylor, Ricki Lee Jones, Tab Benoit, Steve Berlin, Shelby Lynne, Delbert McClinton, Joe Ely, and Marcia Ball, among scores of others. Just look at that list again and consider the several genres at play. Likely his name is far better known in the musician community. In any case, he wanted to be sure he had a first rate backing band for his jazz leaning debut, tapping keyboard great Matt Rollings, bassist Viktor Krause, and drummer Jano Rix (Wood Brothers). Graves sings and plays various guitars. He delivers six originals and two covers. Graves produced along with Brock Sutton and Jano Rix, recording in Nashville, pointing perhaps to an Americana record. That term has such a wide umbrella that some may argue that Settle Down fits but the album more directly leans toward late-night jazz with hints of R&B, soul, and pop.

Graves has a crooner’s voice, adept at phrasing and articulation.  Opener “Play Me a Tune” has that toe tapping, radio friendly beat and pop melody. The title track falls more into the crooner category with Graves guitar meshing nicely with Rollings’ array of keyboards, mostly the B3.  We’ve heard of athletes sleeping with a ball, glove, or whatever and Graves takes the same course with “Sleeping with My Guitar.” Graves sings brightly with his ringing guitar and more subtle accompaniment from his bandmates.  His voice has that James Taylor pleasing quality and perhaps Graves took notice that for most of Taylor’s career, Taylor was backed by a first rate jazz band led by drummer Steve Gadd.  The loping “Ballerina” features sterling backing from Rollings in one of the more challenging songs with a melody that attempts to mirror the graceful movements of a dancer.

Billie Holiday’s oft covered “God Bless the Child’ gets a funky treatment, led by Rix’s incessant beats and trading solos from Rollings and Graves.  It’s somewhat tempting to criticize Graves for including two covers on his first outing of only eight songs but his inventive treatment of this classic is worthy and plays to the strengths of these musicians. “Lost in Los Angeles” may be a play on words but is a letdown after the Holiday cover. Standout “The City Caught Me In Her Arms”  is far more interesting, demanding precise phrasing and featuring real deal jazz chops from the backing trio.  When listening to the closer, the standard “My Ideal,” performed by the best of jazz pianists such as Bill Evans, it certainly seems that Graves is most comfortable in the more jazz centered material. This too is a challenging vocal to master and Rollings fills in all the blanks adeptly.

Credit Graves for trying a few different styles, yet the album grows increasingly jazzier as it unfolds to the point where he seems most at ease toward the end. Just maybe he heeded his own words in his title tune, if not settling down, certainly settling in.

– Jim Hynes

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter