Hudson Mueller – Welcome To Earth
This is interesting — an Austin, Texas-born artist based in Houston, TX & drawing inspiration from country legends like Willie Nelson & author Kurt Vonnegut. Hudson Mueller is a good storyteller & the musical mix could be compelling.
There are 11 “little book of spells” to Welcome To Earth (Drops March 28/Mighty Hud/ 39:46) produced by Mike Bloom & recorded in Brooklyn. There’s no sawdust on the floor but maybe some Coney Island sand. Hudson Mueller (acoustic/electric guitars/vocals) is in his 3rd decade as a musician.
This is finally his first solo LP that digs into topics with a generous dip into country with melodic grooves taking turns into philosophical & deeply personal concerns.
Some songs touch upon the corrupting influence of success, a cruise through radical inclusivity & revisiting memories. Not your run of the mill potpourri but this is what makes some songwriters worth a listen.
The LP begins with a plaintive ballad (“Money Vs Fame”) that while slathered in country-bravura isn’t necessarily too country. There’s a touch of Jackson Browne/John Prine in some rockier songs (“Love Is Love”) too. Hudson uses an affirming soft-spoken vocal much the same as balladeers like the late Tim Hardin, Greg Copeland & Bill Morrissey.
The gospel tinted “Maintain” is energetic, though surprisingly, Hudson doesn’t go all fire & brimstone vocally. He leaves the nice touch to the choir to provide & they do. Hudson seems to have respect for his material. Even the third track, “Xanthippe’s Blues,” is not hippie-dippy or silly. It’s Guy Clark warm, gently sophisticated & would make the late Gram Parsons appreciate the country-rock framework.
Mr. Mueller’s voice is soft but retains power through his range & clarity. “Eternal Vagabond” is a beauty. Something Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young would’ve picked up on if not the Grateful Dead. Hudson mines a musical area that’s had its motherlode years ago but he’s still finding nuggets, nonetheless. His voice is genuine & the songs are written with just enough country polish to abstain from campiness.
These songs are Hudson’s children. They’re well-dressed, fed & nurtured. No doubt.
Highlights – “Money Vs Fame,” “Maintain,” “Xanthippe’s Blues,” “Eternal Vagabond,” “Welcome To Earth” & “Never Loved Anyone Like You.”
Musicians – Jeff Barton (drums), Quinn McCarthy (bass), Daniel Foose (upright bass), Roy Williams (piano/pedal steel/organ), David Caldwell Mason (piano/organ), Whitney Lockert (slide guitar), Alex Hargreaves (fiddle), Elysse & Beccs (harmony vocals) with gospel choir: Vincent Powell, Crystal McGee, Kasey Edwards, Tommie Harper, Evelyn Wilson, Diamond Shauntell & Johnathan Ponder.
Cover photo courtesy of Evan Felts. B&W image courtesy of the press release/YouTube.
CD at Apple + Bandcamp + https://www.hudsonmueller.com/ & https://sweetheartpr.com/hudson-mueller/
