By Bob Makin
originally published: 05/17/2023
Jersey Shore great Cranston Dean always has reminded me of Jackson Browne because there are both organic-sounding multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriters with an eloquent penchant for rhyme amidst every-day stories for everyone. “Toe the Line,” the opening track of Cranston’s latest album, “Northern Town,” is a perfect example of his Jackson sensibilities. In this case, it’s post-‘70s, plugged-in Jackson ala “Boulevard” and “Somebody’s Baby,” but I was psyched to feel that vibe right from the get go on “Northern Town,” because Jackson is one of my all-time favorite artists, and I feel the same way about Cranston at a local level.
Intentionally misspelled, “Toe the Line” is a cascade of rhythms on which a tale of being forced to grow up rides. Cranston navigates the challenges — educational, relational, health — vividly and earnestly. The excellent opener is made even better with a meaty guitar solo by longtime Cranston sideman Riley Schiro.
The journey through “Northern Town” continues with “Diamonds In The Dust,” a gripping indictment of the rat race propelled by unjust and unfair political, economic and justice systems. In a nod to the black community most often impacted by the subsequent disparity, Cranston uses a rap-inspired vocal delivery, the staccato of which is paired perfectly with his bouncy, Allen Toussaint-like piano.
Fans of classic and roots rock will love all six of the albums Cranston has released since 2013, but “Northern Town” may be his best yet. So it’s fitting that his best-ever song, the 2008 standalone single, “The Root,” is included and continues to sound like a cross between the beautiful, meaningful lyrical leanings of Jackson Browne and the sassy Americana of John Hiatt with lots of gospel goodness thrown in for good measure. With a sad beauty, the soulful song looks at how the foundation of America’s freedoms and ideals are crumbling from the decay of ignorance, apathy and greed.
The Dr. John-inspired title track is next with a bit of piano-driven voodoo peppered with spicy Latin rhythms and stylings by drummer Shane Luckenbaugh. “Peace” then offers a beautiful love song featuring two stunning Blackwood flute solos by fellow multi-instrumentalist Max Carmichael in between which the African instrument provides a reggae rhythm usually associated with guitar.
The 10-song album continues with “Carolina,” another tune that has a Jackson Browne vibe, this time on the early side along the lines of “Ready or Not.” Next up is “Get Away,” a funky folkadelic nugget that Deadheads especially will enjoy because of Riley’s bubbly Jerry García-like guitar playing.
The tasty platter of “Northern Town” all-too-soon draws to a close with the jangly croon of “Shades,” the gospel-drenched soul of “Fingernail Moon,” featuring exceptional interplay between bluesy guitars and a Hammond B-3, and “Time To Go,” Cranston’s healthy, positive and downright adventurous views on death. On the confessional closer, his bouncy Fender Rhodes is well supported by Max’s gorgeous dobro playing.
Recorded in Atlantic Highlands by Michael Young & Cranston with gear from North Shore Studio in Owls Head, Maine (perhaps the inspiration for the title track), “Northern Town” also features fine support from bassist Pat Conley and backing vocalists Alex Mack and Allan Dean, who add to those by Riley, Shane and Pat. Alex also provided the artwork for the album, which was mixed by Pat Noon at Eightsixteen in South River and mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side in Hudson Valley, N.Y.
Cranston, his band, and other friends will celebrate the release of “Northern Town” on May 28 at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park. Sharing the bill will be The Mercury Brothers, Emerson Woolf, and Jackson Pines for whom Cranston is the drummer-mandolinist.
For more about Cranston, visit https://www.cranstondean.com.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at makinwaves64@yahoo.
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Grounds For Sculpture and Third Way Cultural Alliance to Present an Intimate Evening of Art and Music on July 18th
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Third Way Cultural Alliance announce a special evening celebrating the power of creative freedom through music, art and conversation. "Creative Freedom: A Salon Experience featuring Marshall Allen, Salvador Jiménez-Flores and Jamaaladeen Tacuma," will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
bergenPAC presents Swingtime Big Band on Saturday
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- New York's high-powered Swingtime Big Band returns to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Saturday, July 18, 2026 to celebrate America250 by showcasing the popular music that kept Americans dancing for decades—from the Lindy and Fox Trot to the Cha Cha to the Twist! Showtime is 8:00pm.
DePue Brothers Band to Bring "Grassical" Music to Sewell
(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes the DePue Brothers Band on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00pm. In a departure from the series' customary chamber music fare, the DePue Brothers Band has long coined their music with the term "grassical," the combination of bluegrass with jazz, blues, rock, folk, and classical.
Albert Music Hall's "Back to Our Roots" Benefit on Sunday to Support Preservation of Pinelands Music History
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will present Back to Our Roots, a special fundraising concert on Sunday, July 19, 2026, inviting music lovers to enjoy an afternoon of live performances while helping preserve an important piece of New Jersey's musical heritage.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd
(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July
(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.
Middletown Arts Center presents Reina Williams + The Remedy
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents a concert featuring Reina Williams + The Remedy on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special guest performers Renee Maskin and Patrick Bamburak will open the show. Enjoy an evening of original music spanning reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk, Americana, and indie rock from some of New Jersey's most talented musicians. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd
(MADISON, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Harmonium Choral Society presents I Dreamed Last Night. Directed by Lennie Watts with music direction by John Fischer, I Dreamed Last Night is a one woman show with Gloria Bangiola. There are songs and stories about dreams, hopes, wishes, ambitions, fantasies, nightmares, impossibilities and that big ol' American one we are all still working to make real. Showtime is 7:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
