The Family Grave – Sweet Charity (2025)
All things are possible through love on ‘Sweet Charity’, the new song from singer-songwriter Jon’s musical project, The Family Grave. The romantic tune is from his forthcoming album, Old Songs for Kids, the last album in his “Happy Old Love Songs” trilogy. Backed by regular contributors, Peter Collis (drums), Martyn Moss (bass and organ), with Paul Pascoe on the boards and guitar, ’Sweet Charity’ is Jon, the man from Brighton, paying homage to a long-time love, and to the freeing power of love itself.
Previously, on his album The Family Grave Play Songs About Love, Jon’s music was sombre and filled with lyrics on hardship and survival. On his newest song, I imagine him smiling while he recorded this. ‘Sweet Charity’ is a balance of light folk-rock arrangements and The Family Grave’s characteristic sensitive lyrics and sincere delivery.
Love’s effect is evident in the way ‘Sweet Charity’ morphs. It builds from guitar strums, minimal drumming, and Jon’s talk/singing his words, “Oh sweet charity come and put your hand in mine/ Oh sweet charity come and take the pennies from my eyes”, sounding as if isolated – as if he might be in a casket. The stuffiness soon evaporates when a commanding bass, extra strumming, and ascendant organ riffs gather around Jon’s voice like pallbearers doing the work of his sweetheart – pulling him out of the dark, into the sun.
From there, the song builds as new sounds enter. Improvised notes from the organ and guitar have us soaring. Moss’s organ is empowering for Jon’s declaration of love with its bright notes. When the music is at its full height, Jon floats if he has new life, as if he’s been saved. He confirms this with his lyrics, “The clouds are dark and black, no hope of sun today/You loved me in the morning/and you bring the sun to me,” towards the end.
Pascoe is the secret weapon. As an engineer and guitarist, he brings The Family Grave’s music its warmth both in his rocking guitar licks and by enhancing the lows all around. This cosiness and uplifting instrumentation create the feeling of freedom. ’Sweet Charity’ is the sound of celebration.
Find out more about The Family Grave on his Facebook, X, Instagram, Bandcamp, Soundcloud and Spotify.
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