Johnny Irion, Driving Friend
Label: Blackwing Music
Reviewed by: Kim Walter, July 2018

I had a hard time deciding what genre to classify this as, and I thought I had decided on country, but as I listen again as I write this I might be changing my mind. Hmm.. Johnny is a descendent of John Steinbeck and married into the hallowed Guthrie family of folk music. His music really has elements of country, singer/songwriter, folk rock, and even twinges of both progressive and modern rock. Overall, he is an impressively versatile performer with a multitude of sounds. I guess the appropriate classification is Americana. Note: Blackwing drawing pencils produced this album; interestingly, both John Steinbeck and Steven Sondheim favor/ed Blackwing pencils for incredible writing and composing. Steinbeck used up a certain number (like 24!!!) each day while writing “The Grapes of Wrath.” Blackwing also runs a foundation that supports keeping music in schools .Features members of Dawes, Wilco and the Mother Hips. Best for me: 2, 3, **6, 9

4:37 - slow/med - a mood piece, feels like a walk at sunset on the beach
*3:37 - slow/med - gentle, flowing song about his 19 year marriage
*5:02 - slow/med - more upbeat, localized to so cal
3:40 - slow/med - mellow indie/Americana vibe
3:20 - slow - gentle tune inspired by his daughter’s desire to go fishin’, DREAMY
**4:08 - med - interesting: rock base, story, vocal play: TRY IT! A little funky
3:00 - slow - gentle and flowing, sounds like the title- “angels fly”
3:32 - slow/med - spiritual lyrics set to upbeat tune
*2:49 - slow/med - Title track, nice, gentle rock song
3:48 - slow/med - about life on the road and the passage of time