John Jenkins to perform at Cambridge’s Unitarian Church

The ex-Persuaders and Come in Tokio man – a veteran of John Peel sessions and 80s post-punk – is now carving out a path for himself as a renowned singer-songwriter on the UK folk, country and Americana scene.

The Liverpudlian is a master of melody, understated lyrics and deft chord changes. He released his new album, If You Can’t Forgive You Can’t Love, on August 6 - his first since signing to indie label Fretsore Records.

He put out the first single from it earlier this year: Desert Hearts, a sweeping saga of ever-changing landscapes which takes on contrasting themes of turbulence, reflection and solitude.

With influences from John Prine to The Beatles, and Nanci Griffith to Bruce Springsteen, a key influence stands out here, with a reimagining of the great Townes Van Zandt’s Kathleen.

Alison Benson contributes as sole duet partner and co-writer on Strangers on a Train, a future single and haunting ballad that incorporates the intensity of the album’s themes of broken dreams and fractured relationships - think Cat Stevens meets Alison Krauss.

“I am really happy with the end result” states Jenkins. “I have songs on here I am immensely proud of. I think it is quite diverse but also definitely has my sound and stamp on the songs.”

John, who supported Squeeze legend Chris Difford on a pre-pandemic tour, will be appearing at the Cambridge Unitarian Church next Tuesday (August 24). For more information and tickets, go to cambridgeunitarian.org.

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