Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
We have an obligation to the past that in some ways could be construed as damaging, but perhaps actually helps act with a greater sense of affirmation and self-belief that in which our souls are bound; for in every action we partake in or willingly pursue with solo ambition, the reality is that someone else remembers it differently, whether by a greater exactness, or by the swirling clouds of existence we are arguably only Dressing Up The Truth of our memory.
Released in 2023, John Jenkins’ Tuebrook was already an album of absolute distinction, it resonated with the emotional ties that the musician has searingly forged with passion and compassion with his loyal fans, and yet there has been more, there has been so much more to the quiver, arrows have been hidden almost out of sight as the lyric writer has found space for those piercing observations to have a home within the album’s construct without undoing the structure of the release.
The fifth single release to have been produced and freed from the mind in 2024 from John Jenkins sees Dressing Up The Truth join the ranks of the feed and unconstrained, and it is with honour to the heart and the ears that the song has found a way to cause the airwaves to vibrate with extreme anticipation for the future.
On the back of songs such as The Reason, I Don’t Want To Be That Guy Anymore, and Do You Ever Think About Me?. Dressing Up The Truth is the wonderful filter of time given its rightful place in our history; the image of characters we might not have given a thought to for decades, suddenly rearing their heads up and being seen in the rear view mirror; a nightmare?, a pleasure of time restored?, only those willing to act as the dresser for the phantom in the mirror can honestly say.
Accompanied by Jon Lawton, who also places his special insight into once again producing a piece of music worthy of being called a masterpiece of expression, Chris Howard on keyboards, and Pippa Murdie, Karl Parry, and Margie Ryan on backing vocals, John Jenkins looks at the issue at hand and sees truth in its authentic and most honourable sense, one that is the property of enlightenment and artistic illumination.
A grand single, the listener would expect nothing less from such an artist.
Ian D. Hall