John Austin

Item: Authorized Unauthorized Bootleg
Author: Cathy Nieng

Authorized Unauthorized Bootleg

(1994)

Reviewed by Cathy Nieng

Discogs Bandcamp

Label Twitch RecordsThe LighthouseMay 1995

acoustic folk singer-songwriter

Austin's songwriting has clearly matured since his The Embarrassing Young album, but the most notable difference is the musical quality of AUB. Gone are the backing instruments and smooth production of The Embarrassing Young; All that remain are simply guitar, harmonica, and Austin's voice. Together, these provide a stripped-down, intimate ambiance quite representative of his live performances.

Austin's lyrics express a personal and honest quality as well. Many singer-songwriters do a fine job of writing introspective lyrics, but Austin goes a step beyond, by combining them with a skilled storytelling ability. The result is a listening experience that's like a chat with an old friend--sometimes casual, sometimes brutally honest. In addition, Austin adds cutting wit, as shown in the album's first track:

"Hey Dad, I ain't that stupid I am the prodigal son. Thank God I've got a home to return to 'Cause all of my money is gone."

Standouts on this album include the hard-hitting "King of the Beasts," with its manic harmonica, the melodic and poignant "Only the Strong," and Austin's rendition of Mark Heard's "Go Ask the Dead Man." It seems appropriate that this talented young musician pays tribute to Heard. After listening to the 26 minutes of AUB, it's not a far stretch to draw parallels between Austin's developing talent and Heard's level of artistry.