By Matt Jarrard
Gordon Withers made a rock and roll album of Jawbox songs played entirely on the cello. Different? Yes. Well done? Absolutely…Gordon is a classically trained cellist, with an ear and passion for rock and roll…you’ve got to hear this to believe it:
Gordon Withers – Savory (Jawbox Cover)
Gordon’s story is a good one…a fan’s dream come true, really. In 2007 Gordon heard that Jawbox front-man J. Robbins’ son Cal, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. Gordon immediately thought of ways he could best help out, so he went to work combining his love of Jawbox with his cello, to create a gritty 12 track interpretation of Jawbox tunes. All the money raised from the sale of the album goes to assist the Robbins’ with Cal’s medical bills.
The intensity of the songs comes across well in these recordings…he does more than justice to the passion with which these tunes were originally recorded. This is “crunchy” stuff! When I close my eyes and listen to Gordon’s layered sound, I see a wall of cellists, heads down, rosin dust flying as horse hair hits string, in the same cramped and sweaty D.C. night club where you would have found Jawbox nearly 20 years ago.
The connection Gordon made with J. Robbins through this project led to more opportunities. Now he’s living out a Jawbox fan’s dream…and playing gigs with J as a member of his newest project, Office of Future Plans
I recommend downloading Jawbox on Cello: A Benefit for Cal Robbins, its for a good cause!
Gordon Withers – Iodine (Jawbox Cover)
