Singer and songwriter J.M. Clifford is a rarity in our world – a bluegrass artist living in Brooklyn, NY. There he earns his keep as an elementary school music teacher, certainly among the more thankless tasks one might pursue.
He has a profound knack for a great song, with a narrative voice that reflects his surroundings, though his limited touring in the southeastern US limits his exposure in the contemporary bluegrass world.
That is a great shame, as Clifford’s music is of a very high caliber, he sings it with passion and artistry, and records it to the contemporary standard. Do take a moment and learn a little about what he does.
A new album, Things That We Can’t Change, is slotted for an October release, with a debut single available now, one he calls Hard Luck Man. It tells of a man in distress he encountered in the subway, and reflects on the sadness of seeing people who simply pass him by, and on the misfortune of those who succumb to drugs and alcohol addiction, in a place where treatment and help exist.
J.M. described it this way.
“I take the subway to work every day in Brooklyn. One day, while heading home, I saw this young guy passed out on the train platform. Most folks just walked right by him. A few days later, when I sat down to write, I thought about this guy and the apathy people displayed. I was reminded of all the strung-out young people I’ve seen on city sidewalks holding signs that say something like ‘Veteran, please help.’
I don’t know the answer, but I know for a fact we can do better. This shouldn’t be happening in the richest country in the world.”
Support on the track comes from Wes Corbett on banjo, Shaun Richardson on mandolin, Christian Sedelmeyer on fiddle, Justin Moses on reso-guitar, and Jeff Picker on bass. Clifford sings lead and plays guitar, with harmony vocals from Liz Dewey and Justin Blanner.
It’s a quality song. Give it a listen.
Hard Luck Man is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.
