Album Notes

"This is one truly easygoing, congenial and engaging album. With guitarists Rich Currier and Dan Dameron as nearly all the support, it's really lean. Jason Bennett's songs feel gentle despite the turmoil often within them. The one cover is Bob Dylan's "Shooting Star," an excellently chosen complement to the originals. An aura of wisdom and lessons learned permeates the set. From the opener "Too Damn Fast," a pitch for taking an easy pace of life, to the closer, "Daddy's Hand" for his son, the album quickly becomes a welcome friend. Nice to make your acquaintance, Jason." SING OUT MAGAZINE Summer, 2008 issue 'Slow It Down, Take a Step Back' is the fifth full-length CD release by folk singer-songwriter Jason Bennett. The CD features nine original songs composed by Bennett and one Bob Dylan cover, Shooting Star. “Many of the songs from this album came together in a common thread, a familiar state of mind, a somewhat fragile place” Bennett states. “It is becoming very difficult in today’s society to find a quiet moment, take a deep breath or watch the clouds drift by.” Bennett spells this out in the song ‘Too Damn Fast’; “This world has forgotten how to breathe and it’s got me on my knees. I need to slow it down, take a step back. Can you all just shut up while I hit the sack?” On this recording you will hear acoustic and pedal-steel guitars, a lonesome harmonica and delicate, warm vocals cradled with shimmering harmonies. You will hear children’s laughter. You will hear rain and thunder. You will hear songs that cry out in desperation, close to the point of giving up; “I cried for the first hundred miles. And I cried for a thousand more. And I tried to put it all behind me. But that ain’t working anymore.” The album is not all dark, however. There are times for laughter, which are evident in songs like “Between My Lines” and “Old Monkey John”. But the common theme in this album is slowing things down and examining what is real and what is not. Waking up in a tent on the beach and watching the morning fog roll in. Taking the time to listen to the pitter patter of the rain. These are the moments that are captured on this recording and are obviously things that touch the soul of this songwriter. Slow it down, take a step back. You’re damn right. Songs: 1. Too Damn Fast 2. Between My Lines 3. Shooting Star 4. The First Hundred Miles 5. Less Is More 6. Too Much Paperwork 7. Old Monkey John 8. Fog Rolling In 9. Jason Bennett’s 115th Dream 10. Daddy’s Hand (Song for Quinn) Musicians on this album are: Jason Bennett: Vocals, guitar, harmonica Dan Dameron: Harmony vocals, guitars, bass, percussion, wax paper comb Rich Currier: Pedal-Steel guitar, acoustic guitar, harmony vocals Tom Stringer: Violin Produced by: Dan Dameron and Jason Bennett Jason Bennett's available recordings are: 2001- The Atascadero Sessions 2004- Self Portrait 2005- Acoustic Harbor 2006- Mindchange 2008- Slow It Down, Take a Step Back All albums are available here on cdbaby.com Official Jason Bennett website: www.bennettfolk.com