South Oklahoma-based American-country-bluesman Jeff Hobbs returns with a new album 'Upward.' Although the passionate performer writes and sings about sometimes rocky-roads, he takes any disillusionment and channels it into love and hope on these new songs, hence the title 'Upward."
Not everything in life is positive, but the talented Hobbs is doing his best to put a positive spin on life's hardships and sings of learning lessons and moving forward in the situations life throws at you.
With his brooding baritone and southern country flavors leading the way, the songs are honest, with calculated rockin' blues numbers and haunting guitar, lazy drum beats and rumbling bass.
Hobbs songs sound like they come from a young man with an old soul, he's been knocked down and came back fighting with a song in his heart. The collection on 'Upward' pushes the limits of the singer songwriter genre and the Texas sound. On songs like "5 Nichols and A Hummingbird", "Bitter Wind", "House of Cards" and "Songs for the Restless" Hobbs self-reflection and humanity shines through.
Songs like "Bound to Live" and the title track "Upward" are all about deliverance and self-freedom.
About the song "Bound to live" Hobbs says "is that rally cry within yourself to get off your ass and move. I had been stuck in a place for so long with my music and my life where I was unable to get out of a rut. I didn't believe in myself. While writing this album I found this need to break the chains, so to speak, and get out and live life to the fullest." And we are glad you did Mr. Hobbs, or can we call you Jeff?