After 5 critically-acclaimed full-length albums with the Black Swans, the last of which, Occasion For Song, serving as a eulogy for Noel Sayre, the friend and violinist who passed away and who DeCicca formed the band with, it was time to step out alone.

Understanding Land is the debut solo long player from Jerry David DeCicca.

These 10 songs were written in the Elephant & Castle neighborhood of London after 5 months of touring and traveling the US, Spain, Portugal, and the UK.

What began as demos, soon turned into the actual album when they were shared with double bassist Andy Hamill (Mark Murphy, Natacha Atlas, Tracey Thorn). Andy added bass and some gypsy slides. JDD sent tracks to pals Will Oldham and Kelley Deal and they both came back with sweet harmonies. The legendary Spooner Oldham (Muscle Shoals, Dylan, Neil Young) played Wurlitzer on 3 songs in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.