Zephaniah OHora: Listening to the Music
It’s increasingly easy to proclaim “they don’t make country music like they used to” while scanning any number of radio stations that label themselves as such. While the current genre drips in autotune and snap tracks, Zephaniah OHora’s Listening To The Music delivers a breath of fresh air. With its Merle-esque vocals and storytelling, guitar licks often reminiscent of Marty Robbins and the distinct cry of the pedal steel, this is as country as it gets. Country may be a surprising descriptor considering OHora calls Brooklyn, New York home (cue the shocked cowboys from the 90’s Pace chunky salsa commercial). It really is anything but typical for his brand of whiskey-smooth crooning to come from anywhere that close to the Big Apple, but to OHora, “Country’s all about being true to yourself and telling honest, authentic stories. You can do that anywhere.”
Listening To The Music comes on the heels of OHora’s 2017 debut album This Highway. Produced by the late Neal Casal (Ryan Adams & the Cardinals), the two began recording in January of 2019 at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn. The album enlists the talents of musicians: John Shannon (electric and acoustic guitars), Jon Graboff (pedal steel and resonator guitar), Roy Williams (piano and wurlitzer), Jeff Hill (electric and upright bass), Arthur Vint (drums, congas and percussion), along with a myriad of special guests that include Courtney Jayne, Dori Freeman, Mickey Raphael, Norm Hamlet, Alex Hargreaves, Kristin Weber, Matt Parker and Chris Carmichael.
The twelve-track, sophomore album navigates everything from the timeless observations of love to today’s political landscape. While an initial listen flows with an elegant simplicity, each spin unveils another layer of harmony or instrumentation, making each pass through as exciting as the first.
Intro track “Heaven’s On The Way'' is the perfect preface for what Listening To The Music is about to deliver, highlighting the small moments that come together to form something great. The album’s second song and second single (released in July) “Black and Blue,” has a slight aura of Waylon, while still being uniquely Zephaniah. The song toys with the idea of a relationship destined to fail because the differences make you practically the same. Gears switch quickly as the album transitions to it’s first slow ballad “It’s Not So Easy Today.” The song’s relatability to the ebbs and flows in the process of moving on make it an absolute standout.
OHora isn’t “building walls by singing songs” in “All American Singer.” The album’s first single is a refreshing take on polarized politics. The modern day anthem advocates keeping an open dialogue with those of differing opinions and still finding common ground through music.
Title track “Listening To The Music'' leans heavily on the arrangement of the instruments and background vocals to invoke the feeling of nostalgia. The lyrics journey through how easy it is to transport through time and space by hearing an old favorite. “And I’m right where I belong/ In the glory of a song”
While every track is worth noting, Listening To The Music needs to be experienced from top to bottom. OHora has grown significantly since releasing This Highway while still delivering his brand of classic country sounds. Please delve in and “find solace in a song” or twelve by supporting Zephaniah OHora. Music and merch can be purchased through https://zephaniahohora.bandcamp.com/merch
Listening To The Music is available on all streaming platforms August 28.
All photos by Rob Dass