Jon Langford
All the Fame of Lofty Deeds

(Bloodshot)

T.J. Simon's #4 album for 2004

First Appeared at The Music Box, May 2004, Volume 11, #5

Written by T.J. Simon

Jon Langford is the hardest working artist within Chicago’s music scene, and on any given night, he can be found performing insurgent country with The Waco Brothers, artsy punk with The Mekons, or classic country with The Pine Valley Cosmonauts. Not surprisingly, All the Fame of Lofty Deeds, his new solo outing, is a terrific collection of acoustic-based, country-tinged rock ’n‘ roll that showcases his thick Welsh accent and superior songwriting ability. The best cut is Nashville Radio, a jolly tune that sounds like The Who sent through C&W and Celtic filters. Along the same lines are the superb tracks Hard Times and Over the Cliff, which Langford finally committed to disc after making them staples of his entertaining concerts. He also offers enjoyable renditions of Procol Harum’s Homburg and the oft-covered classic Trouble in Mind. In short, this rock-solid disc provides yet another reason to like Chicago’s favorite Welshman. ½

All the Fame of Lofty Deeds is available
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Ratings

1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2004 The Music Box