Larry Jon Wilson : Larry Jon Wilson :: Review

“Larry Jon Wilson” is Larry Jon Wilson’s first album in nearly 30 years.  Where has Larry Jon been for the last 30 years and why would he choose to release an album now? Larry Jon Wilson quit the music business in 1980 but continued to perform and write new material.  Upon the urging of some new friends to record an album, Larry Jon Wilson conceded and the results are laid out on “Larry Jon Wilson.”

A lot has changed in the 30 years since Wilson last recorded, but not the directness and openness of his worldview.  Larry Jon Wilson sings of whores, losers, growing old and unrequited love on his self-titled album, which was recorded in a Florida condominium with assistance from the Black Swans’ Jerry DeCicca and Jeb Loy Nichols.  The recording is spare and the mood is somewhat somber and often times comparable to the style used by Johnny Cash on his American Recordings album.  To help flesh out the songs a bit, Larry Jon Wilson received accompaniment via the late Noel Sayre  who overdubbed his violin nuances to the songs.

Wilson’s style of guitar playing is quiet and mostly finger picked which never becomes too busy or comes before Wilson’s hearty baritone.  “Shoulders” opens the album demonstrating Wilson’s wordplay and fret board prowess.  Conversely, Wilson also tackles Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson’s “Heartland” adding a deeper resonance to the plight of the American farmer in these troubled times.  Album standouts include the take on Stuart Wright and Mickey Newbury’s “Losers Trilogy” and the sentimental “Me With No You.”  “Whore Trilogy’ could be seen as a further examination of the losers that Wilson is fond of but it never feels trite or exploitative.  As the album closes on the dire “Where From” Wilson ruminates on the security of relationships past and present as it closes he mentions “It’s not a marshmallow song.”

“Larry Jon Wilson” is a strong album from a talent that has remained dormant for too long.  It’s not necessarily a comeback as Wilson would likely state that he hasn’t gone anywhere, we’re just lucky to have found him.

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This post was submitted by greg.