Lowering the Tone, released in March 2014, follows on from John’s critically acclaimed previous releases, holler til dawn (2002), and Shattered Pleasures (2009), the latter a collaboration with Canadian singer Sandra Gellatly.

This collection features 11 tracks, nine written or co-written by John, in addition to covers of Carole King and Howard Greenfield’s “Crying in The Rain”, and “The Cost of Doing Business” by Curtis Wright and ex Pure Prairie League and Little Feat singer Craig Fuller. The songs all fit broadly into the Americana/ Roots Music domain, and the subject matter ranges from the American Way and love and heartbreak, to mobile phone pests, lust and longing, and the life of Walt Whitman.

Featured musicians include John’s regular live line up of Tim Black (guitars, mandolin), and Ed McGlone (bass), all the members of The City Sinners – Iain Barbour (guitar, lap steel), David McKee (bass, vocals), Frank McHugh (drums), Malcolm McMaster (pedal steel), Kathy Stewart (vocals), and special guests Alasdair Robertson (keyboards, accordion), Dave Currie (dobro), Tim Clarke (acoustic bass), Patsy Seddon (vocals), and Danny Mitchell (percussion, harmonium), who recorded and mixed the project at Glasgow’s Carlton Studio.

Lowering The Tone was produced by John Hinshelwood and Tim Black, and is available from littleroots.com, Amazon, Birnam CD shop, and at any of John’s gigs.

album credits and sound samples here