In March, JJ Shiplett released an EP called Fingers Crossed with seven new songs that shined. Now, he's back with alternate versions of those songs, plus an eighth track, on Crossed Fingers.
The singer-songwriter is one of my favourite musical storytellers, and to hear his songs and voice, stripped-down and laid bare allows for a deep listening session. The eight-song EP is about half an hour long, and worth every minute of it. And if you want to know what kind of vibe JJ thinks works for them - check his thoughts on Bluejay Highway further down in this post.
Related: JJ Shiplett, Fingers Crossed EP ReviewWhen we spoke with JJ about Fingers Crossed and creating those songs he said, "...That's always been my goal with music, find connection amidst the craziness around us." So when we he's talking about the acoustic versions of these songs (plus Bluejay Highway), we're in no way surprised to hear him say, "It's always been about the songs, I have to make sure people hear these. So take away the drums, the solos and leave it to my voice. Like how I fell in love with music - simple and honest. No hiding. Just the song."
To get a little more insight into these versions of the songs, we got JJ Shiplett to give us some thoughts about the eight songs on Crossed Fingers. Check them all out, hit play on the songs, and enjoy!
Crossed Fingers Track-by-Track Walkthrough with JJ Shiplett
Waiting On The Rain
I asked a good friend who has been on this musical journey with me for a lot of years to come over and play some piano. At my studio I've got this little apartment sized Heinztmen piano that has seen better days but he didn't seem to mind. He just hopped on it and started to play all these incredible parts. What he played sounded like rain at times and we just went for it. The beautiful and sparse playing allowed for me to just sing my heart out over top of it. Instead of adding anything else I just decided to leave it like that. It was powerful and moving.
Closer
I always knew there were options for this song. I've recorded it a few different ways trying to find the right groove. On Fingers Crossed it was a much more syncopated groove with that heavy beat. This time I decided to simplify it down to a 'four on the floor' groove - the soft kick drum that beats on each quarter note. This song has the most production on Crossed Fingers and it was just because I was having fun recording it. For me it makes the song more intimate, like two people who have zoned out the rest of the world and are just focused on each other, embracing that very moment.
Northern Lights
I've always relied on my upper register to invoke emotion - singing at the top of my lungs to make sure the listener really feels it. But lately I've been exploring the lower part of my voice...how can I emote the same amount without shouting at people. The original recording of Northern Lights is in the key of F#. In order to make it feel natural (and listenable) I brought it up to the key of A and sang it lower. It caused me to change a few melodies here and there but it felt natural to me. As I've been writing since then I've been trying to find ways to continue growing that side of my voice.
Stand On
This version of Stand On is just me on my guitar. I didn't want to add anything other than just put the focus on the story for me. This song really matters to me. It's real life and straight from my heart. I just want the song to do the work.
Freeman
Still one of my all-time favourite songs written by a good pal, Daniel Huscroft. I brought in some harmonica (played by Ryan McAllister) and had some fun with it. There's a reason this song comes after Stand On... a lighter moment on both Fingers Crossed and Crossed Fingers.
All Comes Back To You
This song is also just about the story. Two people trying to make sense of their connection and the different paths life can take us. For Crossed Fingers I kept it extremely simple by using an alternate picking pattern, but that allowed the song to have some movement (I didn't want it to feel slow). This is my favourite song on both collections of music that I've released this year. It's the type of writing, singing and performance that I really love.
Every Road
The original recording of this song has a lot of production - there's some sub-bass and a half time feel. For Crossed Fingers I wanted to take it back to how I wrote it, my guitar and voice. I added some background vocals to help give a lift in the chorus as the acoustics just simply move throughout the whole song.
Bluejay Highway
Bluejay Highway was an old song of mine. Years ago I self-released an album called Drifter (it has since been taken down and I'm left with some boxes of cd's in my basement) and it was on there. When the Covid pandemic hit I started to play some live streaming shows and people kept requesting it. I was taken back by them, I had forgotten the lyrics or even how to play it. As I dusted it off I was also starting to work on Crossed Fingers and it felt really natural to add it to this collection. It's a simple story of looking back on the decisions we make for our lives/relationships and how it affects us now. Like a ghost from your past sitting in your passenger seat on a lonely drive down an empty highway.
But like all the songs on Crossed Fingers, I just wanted to make sure that it felt and sounded like I was playing in front of you. Maybe we had a couple whiskies, smoked a joint and started playing music.
JJ Shiplett went ahead and gave us a second version of an EP we already liked. For fans to be able to reach for Fingers Crossed and Crossed Fingers is a luxury and a lot of fun.
Here's a tip of our hat to JJ and his team for putting this together and sharing it with the world at a time when we're all looking for anything that can put a smile on our faces or keep us company when we don't feel like smiling.
For a little something extra, hit play to check out the round of 5 Quick Questions we played with JJ as he got ready for the release of Fingers Crossed back in March.
Related: 5 Quick Questions with JJ Shiplett + Self-Isolation Playlist5 Quick Questions with JJ Shiplett
Now, check out the full tracklist from JJ Shiplett's Crossed Fingers and hit play to give the 8-song album a listen.
JJ Shiplett, Crossed Fingers Tracklist
1. Waiting on the Rain (Crossed Fingers Edition)
2. Closer (Crossed Fingers Edition)
3. Northern Lights (Crossed Fingers Edition)
4. Stand On (Crossed Fingers Edition)
5. Freeman (Crossed Fingers Edition)
6. All Comes. Back to You (Crossed Fingers Edition)
7. Every Road (Crossed Fingers Edition)
8. Bluejay Highway
