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Alrightnik

by Josh Halper

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kellycompass
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kellycompass Great listening among a gathering of friends, or chillin' out alone at home! My favorite is "Who Know" with it's playful mix of John Lennon, Jack Johnson and Dylan influences, but I also dig both instrumental "Preludes." I was thinking to myself "wow, these would make great soundtracks for short animated films" when "Reflection" came on with its lovely video! Gorgeous movement. You sorta float down a river listening to these tunes, and I'll be taking many a repeat trip. Nice collection, Halper! Favorite track: Who Knows.
Nick Green
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Nick Green Randy Newman cover sits atop a wonderful set of originals from friendship’s drummer Favorite track: Who Knows.
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Cassette + Digital Album

    Includes unlimited streaming of Alrightnik via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    CD in Eco-Wallet package. Artwork by Pat Halper and layout/design by Jon Samuels

    Includes unlimited streaming of Alrightnik via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD or more 

     

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Who Knows 03:12
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Thanks, Cam 00:02
10.

about

By way of introduction, Nashville guitarist Josh Halper
quips, “I was raised in Tennessee by a Jewish, New York
Deadhead...” That’s not all you need to know about him,
but that curious and compelling combination captures the
mixture of humor, sorrow and musical virtuosity that
ripples throughout Halper’s debut album, Alrightnik.
Halper is a classically trained guitarist who studied at
Belmont University; he spent years playing in local bands
like Big Surr, Western Medication and Honey Locust, and
since graduating, he's become a go-to hired gun session
musician for artists like Chris Gantry, Emily Clement and
Bob Clement. Alrightnik bridges all these facets of Halper's
young but already prolific career. Constructed from the live
sets he'd been playing around town, the record comprises
a mix of deftly wry self-reflections, intricate guitar-forward
instrumentals and one faithful Randy Newman cover,
"Dayton, Ohio 1903."

Alrightnik is a fittingly sweeping and adventurous debut
that approaches life's misfortunes in a way that's
both thoughtful and comic. At times, it recalls Elliott Smith
and Modest Mouse, like on "Whale in a Field," an
exploration of the depths of melancholy during a long,
isolating year after an arrest. But that earnest introspection
is buoyed by Halper's sense of humor, which shines on
tracks like "Honest Feeling" and album highlight, "Who
Knows,"a frank and cheeky reflection on recklessness:
"Whatever we were doing was despicable," Halper sings,
"But it sure was fun." Meanwhile, instrumental cuts like
"Reflection" and "Desperation Waltz" draw as much from
Halper's classical background as they do from the finger-
picked flourishes of Leo Kottke, Bert Jansch and William Tyler.

Ultimately, these myriad musical strains are tied
together through a conceptual framework gleaned from the
Grateful Dead. The album's title, Alrightnik, is an American-Yiddish slang term for a successful person, but of the nouveau riche kind
— a little crass, a little smug. One could maybe read it as a
slight reproach on the hordes of people flooding Halper's hometown of Nashville, but it's more a sly, sightly self-
deprecating barb for a musician with a penchant for bolo ties and shirts with eye-popping patterns, a guitarist who
knows how to wield his instrument for both a laugh and a
cry.

credits

released December 4, 2020

Produced by Josh Halper
Engineered by Cameron Davidson at Cowboy’s Arms Hotel
Recorded at Cowboy’s Arms Hotel and Recording Spa in Nashville, TN
Violins Recorded by Nik Lizcano
Mixed by Ross Collier
Mastered by Mikey Young

Josh Halper: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, and Vocals
Simon Knudtson: Drums
Josh Minyard: Percussion
Cameron Carrus: Bass
Ryan Connors: Wurlitzer, Hammond B3 Organ, and Yamaha C3 Piano
Will Johnson: Pedal Steel Guitar
Austin Hoke: Cello
Laura Epling: Violin
Helen Vaskevitch: Trumpet (Track 6)
Julia Meredith: Baritone Saxophone and Clarinet (Track 6)
Trombone: Collin Felter (Track 6)
Omnichord and Therevox: Ross Collier (Tracks 1 and 8)

Strings and Horns Arranged by Austin Hoke

Cover Art: Pat Halper
Cover Lettering: Ian Bush

All Compositions by Josh Halper
Published © 2020 Josh Halper Music (SESAC)

Except for *
“Dayton, OH - 1903” by Randall S. Newman
Published © 1969 UNICHAPPELL MUSIC INC (SESAC)

Special Thanks to: Jon Blistein, Caroline Bowman, Terry & Bob Clement, Michael Cormier, the Dead Chat, Wrenne Evans, Noah Fardon, THE Group, Harrison Luna, Pat & Wayne Halper, Neal Halper, Mike Harris, Parker Van Der Hyde, Frank Meadows, Emmett Miller, Walter Million, Trevor Nikrant, John Pell, Jon Samuels, and Cam Sarrett.

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about

Josh Halper Nashville, Tennessee

By way of introduction, Nashville guitarist Josh Halper quips, “I was raised in Tennessee by a Jewish, New York Deadhead…”

That’s not all you need to know about him, but that curious and compelling combination captures the mixture of humor, sorrow and musical virtuosity that ripples throughout Halper’s debut album, Alrightnik.
... more

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