(Dualtone) Kansas City born Jeff Black knew right from the start that he wanted to make music. Currently Nashville based, he's become a respected songwriter for his insightful, soul baring words and melodies. His songs have been recorded by artists of different genres and include such names as Waylon Jennings, Sam Bush and Lisa Brokop. Blackhawk took Jeff's "That's Just About Right" all the way to the top of the chart and had a #1 hit with it. Jo-El Sonnier recorded Jeff's "Never Did Say Goodbye" for the soundtrack of the movie "The Thing Called Love." Although Jeff became a successful songwriter, it was also equally important to him to perform. In 1998 he released his debut album on Arista, Birmingham Road, which was met with critical acclaim. Birmingham Road was a combination of inspired singer/songwriter fare that ranged from reflective ballads to root-rockers, and drew comparisons to names like Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young.

Jeff Black now returns with his sophomore album B-Sides And Confessions, this time on the Dualtone label. This self produced project is a departure from his debut album, in that it's a spare, acoustic effort that features Jeff on acoustic guitar, piano, harmonica and banjo, Byron House on bass and Craig Wright on drums and percussion. The album was mixed by the legendary Billy Sherrill. B-Sides finds Jeff in a quieter, reflective mode but "quieter" doesn't mean less powerful. His songs contain the kind of vivid pictures of everyday life that Springsteen paints, and are mixed with the strong poetic imagery and introspection of the best Townes Van Zandt or Guy Clark songs.

B-Sides opens with the spare piano driven arrangement of "Slip," where Jeff uses his slightly ragged but soulful voice to drive home the message of living life as opposed to merely existing. Sam Bush recorded and has been has been performing Jeff's "Same Old River" for some time now. Jeff has recorded his own outstanding version of this song about longing to break free of a predictable life and do the things he dreams of. "Holy Roller" uses a heavy bassline to convey a dark, somewhat sarcastic take on sin, redemption and points out that no matter what one's religious beliefs are, we're all ultimately traveling on the same road. "Sunday Best" is an achingly soul baring and poignant ballad where Jeff tells the story of his father's passing and reflects on his own feelings about it.

"To Be With You" is a lovely, tender ballad of having a strong love to keep you grounded despite those occasional moments of personal insanity. The truly stellar "Gold Heart Locket," is spare in arrangement but powerful in delivery. The only accompaniment is a simple plunking banjo, a simple but mesmerizing melody, and Jeff's plaintive vocals telling this story of letting nothing stop him from getting back to the woman he loves to make things right after having broken her heart. "Cakewalk," another powerful standout where the melody and words build in urgency as the song goes on, is a wish that time would slow down and let life be a little easier on us. "Bless My Soul" with it's edgy melody, finds Jeff realizing that there are a few things about life he's finally starting to figure out. "Bastard" packs a wallop in this dark, cynical look at truths of the music industry. B-Sides closes with the soulful and spiritually reflective "Higher Ground," with the hope that things will look up and the good things will ultimately prevail in the end.

What B-Sides And Confessions lacks in amplification is more than made up for by the strength of first rate songwriting powered by strong melodies, and the powerful, slightly gritty and passionately emotive vocals of Jeff Black, all of which are perfectly framed by the spare arrangements that keep both the songs and the singer the center of attention. This is no-frills, all meat roots music at it's best.

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