McNiff and Hank had gigged a lot prior to recording his first album, their magical guitars spell-binding young Pete Doherty, and Time Out leading the section one week with 'Serious talent - the old-fashioned way,' influencing many guitarists around today. Jason McNiff signed to my label, Snowstorm in 2000 and the Andy Hank Dog produced 'Off the Rails' came out in the summer.
There followed two self-produced efforts, Nobody's Son in 2003 **** Mojo and Album of the Year at Americana UK. In 2006 came 'Another Man', a concept album & modern day Pilgrims' Progress, which was released by J. Wilson of Grand Drive on his Wonky Atlas label. Sylvie Simmons again gave it four stars and led Mojo to describe him as one of the uk's best kept secrets. McNiff was played every week for a time on Sean Rowley's saturday night show, who described Another Man as amazing and the nearest thing you'll find to the vibe of Dylan & the band. This was with the backing band he put together, Brookes & Knight, who now play with many great London bands ( J Alpin, Kamila Thompson, Raza, Adam Masterson )
These last years have seen him fall under the influence of European writers, particularly the Italian Fabrizio De Andre, some of whose songs he's translated, and goes to Italy to guest with the celebrated group Modena City Ramblers, learning songs such as Italo Calvino's ' Oltre Il Ponte' and partisan tune 'Ribelli Della Montagna'. Snowstorm recently compiled an anthology of his three albums plus new material, and it is available in the Uk and in Germany on the Berlin label, Cannery Row.
Chris Kidson 2008
Photography by Annabel Vere
