David Wilcox The Way I Tell The Story (Freshly Baked Records)
North Carolina-based David Wilcox should be, by now, a household name based solely on his delicious catalogue of crisply-delivered, singer-songwriter folk with a twist. The twist is, you can’t decide what to fall in love with first – his skills as an acoustic guitarist, his voice or his deep-dish approach to quality songwriting. Clearly, it’s the combination which turned this writer into an instant fan. Even better, having had an early opportunity to catch him live, solo (back around ’89), sealed the deal. His ability to tell a story and to serve up sincere, introspective songs which drip with heartfelt authenticity, expertly accompanying himself on guitar is completely spellbinding. He can also be hilarious – a trait most folkies are often short on. Each release has its own charm and, as many of them are cut from live performances, there’s an intimacy to them which go a long way towards helping you ‘meet’ the artist.
Yes, it would be a disservice to compare him to the work of an earlier James Taylor – a reference he likely tires of – yet this, at least, serves as a place setting. His catalogue of some 21 releases cover a lot of ground – covering the gamut of human emotions, relationships, school reunions, life and death, religion, breast surgery, old cars, waffles – and all that lives in-between. No matter the topic, his sincere, sensitive approach rewards the listener every time. At the same time, he has the uncanny ability to sound like us.
Aptly titled, David Wilcox’s strength is definitely the way he tells a story, starting with his ability to craft a story. On this outing, Producer Michael Selverne convinced him to try something different – to step outside of his comfort zone. As a result, each excellent ‘story’ is couched in the talents of some exceptional musicians and the results support his hunch, as each story benefits from the addition of considerable musical depth. (You owe it to yourself to google each one of them.) At the same time, applying this level of musical sophistication to an already well-defined talent only works because the focus remains on Wilcox and his ever-stirring quiver of exceptional songs.
Opening track, “My Own Mind” goes for the gusto – pulling out all the stops. Phenomenal instrumentation featuring a dizzying array of electric guitar, piano, melodica, vibraphone, bass, drums and added percussion render a smooth, jazzy pop track which, for a moment, conjures Michael Franks, of all things. Slick and unexpected but impactful, nonetheless. Popsicle Toes, indeed. Wilcox is in fine voice while Sam Robbins backs him up, adding color to an already rich spectrum.
Sounding more like what you might expect from a David Wilcox release, title track, “The Way I Tell the Story” features captivating lyrical content which benefits from supercharged sonics, given Jeff Pevar’s talents on electric guitar and slide while Bill Berg’s ‘traps’ and Bashiri Johnson’s percussion add significant propulsion to this song pitting perception to reality (if not about a folkie who’s never really been purely folk). There’s a fun, witty and buoyant approach to Wilcox’s storytelling which may occasionally remind you of Loudon Wainwright III. Not a bad thing.
“The Beautiful,” with its combination of Pevar’s guitar, Darryl Jones’ bass, the multi-layered beats of drummer Bill Berg and percussionist Bashiri Johnson, frees Wilcox up to concentrate fully on his vocals and the rapturous delivery of each insightful word. You may need to sit down because, despite its low-key ramble, Wilcox’s lyrics here represent a masterclass in songwriting. Escape is real for those who can still discern the beauty in our hopelessly messed-up world. The magical spell woven by these players seems to add an urgency to Wilcox’s gentle phrasing, which floats just above the ebb and flow of the ocean’s waves. Absolute eloquence.
Guest guitarist Ric Hordinski and jazz-like bassist Al Carty join a 4-piece horn section (Jack Phillips, Elijah Woodward, Michael Martin, Ben Hovey) for “The Next Right Thing”, transforming Wilcox’s world into a surprisingly upbeat pictorial which – one hopes – is pure fiction. A song of unexpected loss and unbearable heartache is all that remains of a relationship cut in two by fate and the fickle ways of human frailty. Death has robbed him of the future while all around him serves only to remind him of what he no longer has.
“Endless Summer Blue” is simply what Wilcox does best. He takes you somewhere familiar and reinforces each image with his well-selected words. Jeff Pevar’s electric guitar and slide join the rich bass of Steve Cohen and the laidback beats of Bill Berg’s drums and Bashiri Johnson’s percussion to create an almost breathless backdrop which only serves the song.
Fellow singer-songwriter /storyteller Ellis Paul adds haunting harmonies and backup support behind the quirky, ”I Can’t Argue.” Wilcox’s delicate touch on guitar is elevated by Jamar Woods’ contributions on piano and B3, as Steve Cohen and Bill Berg propel the rhythm.
“The Reason Why I Ride” is one of the best and most distinctive tracks on this album. Its effervescent percussion sends it hurtling down the tracks while Marty Rifkin’s pedal steel compliments Wilcox’s deeply rich vocal. Sheer confidence radiates throughout this little song that positively percolates as it rocks.
A lovely intro to “I Made It Rain” features Wilcox’s acoustic guitar, coupled with Johnson’s percussion, lending an almost Spanish feel to the song. Added flourishes of drums (Berg) and bass (Cohen), accentuate the always-sturdy lyric in praise of ‘going for it’ – speaking your truth, living your life on your terms and finding deep satisfaction in the journey.
The lovely “Shimmer” speaks to love’s ‘happy place,’ realized wherever true lovers happen to find themselves. A timeless tribute to the power of bonding and being ‘stronger together,’ Wilcox’s painterly images flow freely as Steve Cohen (bass), Bill Berg (drums) and Jamar Woods (piano/B3) provide the spirited backdrop.
“Disappearing Man“ is an odd little song – almost a throwaway. Wilcox demonstrates his sizeable skills on acoustic guitar but this jazzy little number has more in common with Mose Allison than anything you might have expected. His vocal waivers on occasion but, a simple composition with minimal accompaniment, it can only fall short when measured against so many stronger tracks.
One of the album’s most impactful tracks is “Roses.” Accompanied by Michael Bearden (piano, Fender Rhodes) and his own guitar, joined by Michael Bearden on piano and Fender Rhodes, the lyric is surely an effort to demonstrate the horror of war for the people of Ukraine (or anywhere). Far from a typical anti-war statement, its potent message hits home with heart-crushing impact, based on the contrast between the beauty and sweet fragrance of roses and the images of cruel devastation which threaten all living things. Herein lies the twist of Wilcox’s gift as a songwriter’s songwriter: he punches so much harder than most through the masterful selection of each word.
Ending on the comparably uplifting “I Wish You Enough” – which almost serves as a benediction – we’re treated to the advanced talents of a skilled acoustic guitarist, coupled with a sensitive singer-songwriter whose deft choice of wordplay adds greater dimension even as it seems to create its own rhythm. Interestingly enough, the credits acknowledge “Just David Wilcox.” Given the ongoing, elevated calibre of his catalogue – and his superlative ability to tell a story – David Wilcox has already more than proven that he’s – easily – all we really need.
Find the music on BandCamp here: https://davidwilcox.bandcamp.com/album/the-way-i-tell-the-story and here on his website: http://www.davidwilcox.com
The album was produced by Michael Selverne, engineered by Julian Dreyer with assistance by Kenny Harrington, and recorded in Asheville, NC at Echo Mountain Studios, Welcome to Mars, and The Attic with Additional recording on “The Next Right Thing” at Monastery Studio (Cincinnati, OH). “The Beautiful” and “My Own Mind” were mixed by Scott Jacobi at Scojac Productions, and “The Way I Tell the Story” and “Endless Summer Blue” were mixed by Julian Dreyer and Michael Selverne at Welcome to Mars.
