William Harries Graham – Annie’s House
Austin, Texas artist William Harries Graham (son of singer Jon Dee Graham) has a 10-track collection of nostalgia, recollections with a culmination of memories on Annie’s House (Drops Oct 25/Strolling Bones Records/32:55). It was produced by Gordy Quist & William & recorded in Austin, TX.
William didn’t inherit the gruff vocal style of his father Jon Dee, but does have a softer Tim & Jeff Buckley-type tone as he narrates the songs that make up his diary of personal growth. It’s not so much a confessional set as a trek down memory lane for a young man. He has an adept writing style that’s expressive & his tender voice lends lots of authenticity to every line. He isn’t singing to everyone as narrating the story to someone — he trusts.
There are some darker tunes like “Brooklyn” that breach the mediocrity of certain ballad gooeyness. It goes heavy with charm & shadows. This is an intense little song with no drama added. Instead, Graham allows an altruistic thread to be sewn into the chords & notes. It’s a beautiful song that puts Graham in the same box as the remarkable late Nick Drake. The gentleness is offset by the precision & relevance of each composition.
A little rockier is “Ohio State” despite the consistency of Graham’s melancholy & mellow approach. The guitars grind in this tune with a myriad of sounds that may be the way someone feels in their gut about something. “Philadelphia” as well as punch instrumentally. The contrast between William’s softer vocal tones & the more aggressive arrangement triggers are unique groove.
More poetic & touching is “Maybe That’s The Way To Your Heart,” which is spare instrumentally but quite strong as a song. Gentle piano notes color the showcase & Graham sings with the requisite Nick Drake & Clifford T. Ward (“Gaye,” “Wherewithal”) accessibility. Then, “Galway Coast” comes with an additional evocative touch. Lovely stuff.
There’s a certain amount of gravity to this type of material. The singer isn’t trying to be an entertainer, or a showman as much as a troubadour. A storyteller. Nothing here is grandiose but that isn’t saying there isn’t anything “big” here. The reportage, messages, the storylines are all packed with a plaintive poignancy, incisive & expressly self-assured.
Stronger melodies may lift the songs a little higher. But the vocals are insightful & their delicate manner has flair. “Same As When We Were Kids” is a captivating ballad & perfect coda.
Highlights – “Yourself,” “Annie, Are You There?” “Brooklyn,” “Ohio State,” “On the Outside,” “Philadelphia,” “Galway Coast” & “Same As When We Were Kids.”
Musicians – William Harries Graham (vocals/acoustic & electric guitars/lap steel), Chris Searles (drums/percussion), David Goodrich (acoustic guitar/12-string guitar/electric guitar/percussion), Amy Cook (bgv), Bobby Daniel (bass) & Cameron Riggs (piano/mellotron/Rhodes).
B&W image courtesy of Col Elmore. A 12pp stitched lyric insert is included. CD @ Bandcamp + https://strollingbonesrecords.com/william-harries-graham
Video Premiere: https://americanahighways.org/2024/10/08/video-premiere-william-harries-graham-philadelphia/