Jesse Sprinkle

Item: Sunsites
Author: Brad Caviness

Sunsites

(1996)

Reviewed by Brad Caviness

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Label independent7ball Online 1996Online 1996

acoustic ambient folk new age

With the break up of Poor Old Lu, fans are no doubt interested in new projects by the former band members. Jesse Sprinkle's Sunsites was recorded some time before Lu released their farewell cd A Picture of the Eighth Wonder, it is coming to the attention of consumers at the same time as news of the band's demise.

Fans of Poor Old Lu's angular and melodic modern pop are going to be very surprised by the sound of the younger Sprinkle's debut disc. Jesse lists a number of influences in the disc's booklet, including thrash bands Believer and Living Sacrifice, art-rockers King's X, British folk-rockers Eden Burning, Innocence Mission and Vigilantes of Love. But none of the other musicians thanked have had as an profound impact on Sprinkle, apparently, as Phil Keaggy, especially his works like Master and the Musician and Beyond Nature.

Pastoral acoustic guitar framed by simple cello and ethnic percussion accompaniment mark this emotive and reflective release in territory far from Poor Old Lu's alternative sounds. Indeed, the musicianship and compositional skill evident on Sunsites proves Sprinkle to be a more accomplished performer than his previous work would indicate.

Though Jesse leans a little too heavily upon his influences and mentors to be completely unique, the level of excellence he demonstrates here raises my expectations high for him to grow into his own "voice" and become a mentor to others on future endeavors.