Figure Drawing by Josh Joplin Group
This album was recorded at Joe McMahon's studio Wow & Flutter in Nashville, TN. It was primarily recorded live with organ and Natalie Farr's vocals being overdubbed in Atlanta, GA by Rob Gal. Hannah, Jack, and Alexis recorded their vocals at Wow & Flutter with Josh and the musicians. Joplin considers this his third and last Among The Oak & Ash (a collective concept he founded in 2008) that has released two albums prior to this. Among The Oak & Ash and The Devil Ship.
Josh had been discussing the idea of a gospel album for a few years with his friend and long time collaborator, Wes Langlois. They began demoing the songs in 2017 and wound up co-writing, Just Ghosts and The History Of I Do. That same year they began working with Joplin's friend and cohort, Grammy Award Winning producer/engineer/bassist, Lorenzo Wolff. Lorenzo found a studio in Brooklyn and they recorded the original version of this record together along with Emily Holden on violin. They called the project, The Holt Brothers Abbey. After some time and a few mixes that record just never came to be. Everyone got busy with their own music and different projects that it just sort of got put up on the shelf.
Joplin took the songs to Cari Norris and thought this might be a good record to finish out their collaboration (Among The Oak & Ash). They spoke over the course of a year or more but Cari's health was poorly and in the end she wouldn't be able to record again. Josh's song, Tell The Ones You Love You Love Them, was written about her shortly after her death.
Tracklist
| 1. | Just Ghosts | 4:17 |
| 2. | Me Then Now | 3:46 |
| 3. | A Skeptics Gospel | 3:47 |
| 4. | Tell The Ones You Love You Love Them | 5:02 |
| 5. | Status Update | 3:00 |
| 6. | Figure Drawing | 5:02 |
| 7. | History Of I Do | 3:47 |
| 8. | Thoughts and Prayers | 3:43 |
| 9. | Lazarus and The Gospel Plow | 3:41 |
| 10. | Shifts That Transform The Heart | 2:53 |
| 11. | Late Night, Early Morning | 4:01 |
Videos
Credits
Producer: Josh Joplin
Engineering: Joe McMahon
Remote Engineer (Atlanta, GA): Rob Gal
Mastering: JJ Golden
Record Studio: Wow & Flutter
Josh Joplin: Singing, electric, acoustic, and hi-strung guitars, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, hand claps
Wes Langlois: Singing, electric, baritone, and acoustic guitars, bass, piano
Jeremy Darrow: Upright and electric bass, Moog synthesizer
Bryan Owings: Drums, percussion
Allen Broyles: Singing, piano, C-3 organ, tambourine, hand claps
Fats Kaplin: Violin, pedal steel, mandolin
Hannah Miller: Singing
Natalie Farr: Singing
Jack Schneider: Singing
Alexis Saski: Singing
Conceptual Design: Josh Joplin
Layout & Art Direction: Jennifer Ching
Artwork: Raul Miyar
Figure and Object Drawings: Raul Miyar
Additional Collage Work and Drawings: Josh Joplin
This record is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and founding member, Cari Norris (1970-2022). Her spirit, creativity, talent, and curiosity, will always be with us, guiding our inspiration. Miss you always!
