Tom Jenkins / When The Coal Dust Settled Album Show

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If it’s true authenticity you’re looking for, then albums like ‘When The Coal Dust Settled’ don’t come around too often, neither do artists like Tom Jenkins. Hailing from the Hills of the South Wales Valleys, a humble shepherd by trade, he’s managed to create a piece of work that defines the generations of those who worked the land before him and paid the ultimate price for their industry, that includes his own flesh and blood.

‘When The Coal Dust Settled’ was originally inspired by his family of Coal Miners and Hill Farmers, specifically his Grandfathers, who gave their lives to their industries but the album subjects reach far beyond a lineal theme with traditionally crafted songs, woven into a tapestry of beautiful melodies and story telling, that centre around his surroundings , the oppression of the working class, social injustice and the failure to support communities in post-industrial times. Though, many of the songs are incredibly emotional and thought provoking a balance is found with a sense of hope and positivity, celebrating the land, language, heritage, community spirit and unity of people from the place he calls home.

There’s a real sense of pride found within the hardships of this land that could only be captured by someone like Jenkins, travelling the Valleys as a contract Sheep Shearer, a physically demanding job that has taken him around the World and inspired other albums with his travels but it was in the old mining communities and with the last of a generation he was so fortunate to work alongside in the Wool Sheds that helped inspire his most important album to date.

Musically, the album drifts between Modern-folk, Indie and Country taking inspiration from the likes of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen but Jenkins is in his own lane with WTCDS and what feels like a project he’s been creating his whole life.