Four years after his “Jazz-Blues-Country” trilogy, Jordan Officer returns with Like Never Before, a new opus that he considers a personal anthem and a celebration of his scars and his victories. “This album comes from a great transformation in my life,” confides the Montreal musician.
“I have experienced a lot of questioning and evolution in my personal and musical life over the last two years. I learned to know myself more. This is what gave rise to the album that exists now,” explains the guitarist and singer who participated in several exploration sessions with Ariane Moffatt at the start of this creative process.
It is therefore not surprising to hear the interpreter of I’m coming back to Montreal on two pieces from his album: Honeysuckle in Bloom et I Just Need to Feel Your Love.
His friends Martha Wainwright and Brad Barr (the leader of the Barr Brothers) also came to spice up their almost brother’s new offering. Martha Wainwright on the song Wrecking Crew and Brad Barr, on Ghosts and Answers.
“It’s so easy and natural, with Ariane and Martha,” explains the artist who launched Like Never Before last Thursday, during a concert presented at the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
Photo CHANTAL POIRIER
Vulnerable and plural
Jordan Officer speaks about Like Never Before as an organic project which almost imposed itself on him following his personal transformation.
The artist was nominated for a Juno Award in 2005 for his album That’s For Me says he quit drinking almost two years ago. He also has a better understanding of his attention deficit disorder since he recently received a “shattering but enlightening” diagnosis.
Her career questions and her new vulnerability also fueled her desire to reveal herself through her work.
“Now I talk openly about what I’m going through. I also have intense gratitude for what I am capable of doing, like I have never felt before; hence the name of the album, and the title song, Like Never Before” he said.
Let Jordan Officer fans rest assured: this is not a radical change for the man we know for his love of jazz, blues and country.
Rather “the sum of everything that ignites” the 48-year-old artist; ten songs with more modern sounds, a more pop approach, elements of gospel, soul, an assumed sensuality and more contemporary touches. All produced by his old friend (and drummer for a decade) Alain Bergé.
– The album Like Never Before, by Jordan Officer, is on the platforms. He will be performing in Terrebonne on August 25, in Repentigny on September 13, in Quebec City on October 25 and in Gatineau on December 13. His tour continues until 2025.
