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We don’t hear tracks such as Dan Ashley’s, “Now And Then,” that often, anymore. It’s whimsical, yet reflective, reverent, yet stylistic. Self-described as a blend of Americana, Country, and Rock, Dan Ashley boasts an impressive resume. He’s opened for several high profile artists and has consistently surrounded himself with top-shelf musicians. As a result, he still seems to have been able to realize the full scope of his vision as a songwriter.
With a title like “Now And Then,” your mind begins to form the shape of possible intimations. Is it nostalgia, or taking notes by comparison? Turns out it is gentle, descriptive, and softly poetic. Ashley laments to a “beautiful friend,” conjuring lyrical imagery of the changing seasons, and the scarcity of time, between now and then, of course. He sings with the dramatic flair of a seasoned showman and adds a layer of 20th-century chivalry, that breathes with sincerity.
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The music is driven by softly tuned acoustic guitars, and muffled percussion, that all blend together, cohesively. Ashley’s phrasing can sometimes seem slightly run-on, or one or two words long, but it soon becomes more endearing, than glaring. He knows his audience but isn’t overwhelmed by a dutiful urge to pander. Instead of adhering to old tropes such as clearly identifying the song’s subject, he allows the listener to attach the meaning to something, personal. “Now And Then” isn’t intentionally vague, but nor is it overt, it’s an illustrated storybook, with markers, included.
Music is said to have been a part of Ashley’s life, from virtually, birth. His grandmother was an accomplished pianist, so music was always a presence in his immediate surroundings. You can detect the depth of his musical education, on “Now And Then,” with the primary focus on storytelling and emotional resonance. It can seem that Ashley is singing directly to you, on this track, because his aim seems so personal, yet invitational. What’s more is that his persona is evident from one listen, and you can almost visualize exactly what he looks like, from the delivery of the opening verse.
It might be unfair and presumptuous to label “Now And Then” as having a target audience. On the same hand, you don’t get the feeling that Dan Ashley would be particularly offended for being categorized. He seems to delight in addressing those of us who still romanticize the airy quality of casual, yet passionate expression. Ashley seems to kind of backstroke through his own personal lagoon, on “Now And Then,” with occasional bursts of strength. He uses the slightly upper register of his mid-range, to hit one of his more flattering notes at the beginning of the chorus.
True like you/when old is new/I feel alive again, expounds on the contrast between now and then. How we are connected to our former selves, and what we bring from the past, to serve who we are, in the present. Our aspirations evolve and our values will shapeshift, but at the core is a being founded on the same fundamentals. Dan Ashley has presented us with a piece of music, to serve as a reflection of both the past and the present. Music to help us make sense of what was, to apply in the present, and empower us for tomorrow.
Heather Savage
