Listen to (I Ain’t) Stupid, the latest offering from Les Johnson & Me – a musical experiment, formed by Kenny Macdonald, a Glasgow musician, to get the songs of the late great Les Johnson out to you. He is described as somewhere between gentleman Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash and Tenessee Ernie Ford with a distinctly Glaswegian twang. The track is taken from Every Day For Now due for release March 23rd, which follows on the back of ’15 Hands’, their much lauded and widely positively received debut album and closely following their recent highly successful UK tour as the opening act for Justin Currie and The Pallbearers.
Kenny shared the following on the song:
“(I Ain’t) Stupid is a somewhat satirical ‘cocking one’s snook’ at the stupidity our current world seems to bestow on people, not, of course, entirely against their will. Not intended to be in any way political, the song is also a cautionary tale. All, it may seem, is resolved in the chorus, when the fight between good and evil is lost and we experience the consequences of that. Try not to be or become stupid.”
This latest collection of songs departs in its style somewhat from the earlier material, with a seeming attempt to throw off the ‘country’ label. Still, at the heart of these tracks is Les Johnson and Me’s mainstay of complex stories, moods and emotions, delivered in simple form, as always trademarked with the distinctive baritone voice of singer Kenny Macdonald. Overall, the EP gives a flavour of the new work of the project, along with a new sound provided by members of Rutherglen’s hirsute and harmonious Harry and The Hendersons.
The EP is due for release March 23rd with a launch party at The Old Hairdressers. Support comes from Gregory James and a special unplugged set from The Bar Dogs. Ticket Link