Gerry Jack Macks takes a shine to the Neil Diamond classic Beautiful Noise for his latest single — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
If there’s one thing B.C. singer-songwriter Macks refuses to do, it’s follow the rules. The blues-roots-swing-folk-country-rocker has long defied genre conventions, and his latest release is no exception. On this fresh and vibrant reimagining of the Diamond chestnut, Macks breathes new life into the song with a roots/Americana feel and a Latin beat from drummer Sara Varro.
Macks, who also helms the radio show Beautiful Noise: A Canadian Music Showcase, took inspiration from the original Robbie Robertson-produced hit but made it his own. Unable to find a Canadian version that met his standards, he decided to craft one himself — a cover that both pays homage to the song’s timeless energy and injects it with his signature style. “Recording such an iconic hit offers only two choices: Imitate or create something new. I chose the latter,” says Macks. “I wanted to take ownership of the song, give it a new dimension, and still stay true to its essence.”
Recorded at Dusty Cottonwood Studios in Kamloops, Beautiful Noise is a testament to Macks’ independent spirit and musical vision. He produced, arranged, recorded, mixed and mastered the track himself, making the single a true indie effort. And proving once again that great music doesn’t need industry gatekeepers — it just needs passion and talent.
Macks has spent decades carving his own path, earning a reputation as an outlaw musician whose sound is as unpredictable as it is authentic. From blues and country to rock and folk, his music defies easy categorization. He’s drawn comparisons to the likes of Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and John Fogerty, while maintaining a voice and style all his own. “I never really know what genre my music falls into, and I think that’s the beauty of it,” says Macks. “The industry loves to put music in boxes, but my job is to tear those boxes open.”
Check out Beautiful Noise above, hear more from Gerry Jack Macks below, and join him on his website, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
