ALBUM REVIEW: Willy Mason : If the Ocean Gets Rough
- Posted on March 5, 2007 10:28 AM
- 0 comments
Willy Mason : If the Ocean Gets Rough
By Peter Coulston
This is, I believe, the second album from this talented singer/songwriter from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, the home of the Kennedy political dynasty. This artist shows incredible maturity for his 22 years, with his album tackling issues such as bereavement, unfulfilled dreams and the environment, all in the context of rural family life. It was recorded on a farm with friends and family providing musical and other support.
“Gotta Keep Walking” provides a chirpy opening track, while in “The World That I Wanted” he explores unfulfilled dreams through his grief for the death of his father. Rosanne Cash joins him on the deeper but strummy “We Can Be Strong”, a song that I could imagine her father performing. “Save Myself” was released as a single on 19 February and is a little funky with a catchy hook. Loneliness is visited in “I Can’t Sleep”, a beautifully crafted song sung over a fine pedal steel. “Riptide” is an acoustic attack on the shortcomings of city life aided by melodic violin.
The bluesy, moody “When the River Moves On” advocates making breaks with the past and accepting things as they are. Kinda “deal with it” in A minor. The title track is nice and gentle while “Simpletown” looks at small town life rather darkly accompanied by some more appropriate violin. “The End of the Race” rocks on a little morbidly about life and death while “When the Leaves Have Fallen” addresses global warming with some fine lyrics and rumbling bass lines thrown in to make it even more scary. I was not familiar with Willy Mason’s work prior to hearing this album, but I am now a convert. I hope to be at his 16 May concert at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Album out on 5th March. Details of Willy Mason's tour can be found here.
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