William Elliott Whitmore - From the Horse Farm to Your Ears
Written: Mar 10 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great roots music. Whitmore's voice.
Cons: Only nine songs.
The Bottom Line: See Review.
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| JennJoy's Full Review: Ashes To Dust - William Elliott Whitmore |
Looking at a picture of William Elliott Whitmore for the first time is confusing because he looks like he should be working at a gas station on a dusty crossroad in the middle of nowhere instead of singing some of the truest Delta blues of modern times. The work shirt, jeans, and plentiful tattoos seem better suited to an urban bar than sitting on the porch strumming and singing, but for this man the latter better reflects what I imagine his life is like. Whitmore grew up on an Iowa horse farm situated on the banks of the Mississippi and this is starkly apparent in his music. He is about as in tune with rural living as one can be and his songs reflect that intimate connection with the land. He understands the delicate balance of nature that can take away just as swiftly as it gives – and many of his songs stare death right in the face.
So this is roots music, Americana, the blues. It’s old-timey, but filled with more modern themes. William’s songwriting reminds me of Johnny Cash as both men have a unique way of telling a story. The themes haunting Whitmore’s music are fairly narrow – death, isolation, loneliness, and loss – but if you listen close enough there is also a vein of hopefulness which can just barely be seen in your darkest hour. Because of this I get the sense that William Elliott Whitmore makes music for his own catharsis and redemption. Whitmore doesn’t seem to be looking for any sort of religious redemption though (I’d actually be surprised to find he’s religious at all), but more of an understanding and acceptance of the circle of life.
Ashes to Dust starts off with the powerful thumper “Midnight” - a bluesy number that is the most upbeat song on the album. I read somewhere that William doesn’t think any of his songs are particularly radio ready, but in this case I beg to differ. “Midnight” is absolutely infectious and I love the line, “Well the bluebird can sing, but the crow’s got the soul and I’m a dog among kings with no self-control.” Like most of the tracks here this one just features Whitmore’s gravelly, whiskey soaked style vocals, an acoustic guitar, and percussive stomps and thumps supplied by his feet and hands.
“The Day the End Finally Came” finds William switching to the banjo and adds a bit of slide guitar in, giving the song a bluegrass feeling. Although this album primarily features William Elliott Whitmore there are a few other instances where he is backed by another musician for some extra effect. “Sorest of Eyes,” another banjo based tune also adds in accordion on this simple bluesy number. “Diggin’ My Grave” finds Whitmore absolutely crooning about his “road to hell being paved with all the love I never gave.” This is one track where I can sort of hear the comparisons others have made to William sounding like Tom Waits, but I think a similarity to Junior Kimbrough, Chris Thomas King, or Robert Johnson.
Two of the best examples of William Elliot Whitmore’s storytelling abilities on Ashes to Dust are “Lift My Jug” and “Porchlight.” The first tells the story of a rail-traveling hobo and is a bluegrass number with plenty of percussion which is sure to get you stomping your foot right along. “Porchlight” is told from the perspective of Whitmore’s father as he lay dying. This is the song of a simple farmer with a profound connection to his land asking that the porchlight be left on so he can find his way home. This track alone gives the listener an intimate connection with Whitmore’s roots and where the juxtaposition of light and dark in his music comes from.
Ashes to Dust is a gem of an album filled with melancholy and macabre themes as well as more than a little bit of hope. Whitmore’s music is an intriguing mix of blues, bluegrass, and country that is intentionally kept sparse to punctuate his vocals. My only complaint is that there are only nine songs here and I’m left wanting to hear more. If you enjoy any sort of roots music then you absolutely have to check out William Elliott Whitmore. His record label, Southern, has a free mp3 available of “Midnight.” If you like what you hear, Ashes to Dust will not disappoint. This one is definitely making my year-end best of list, which is saying a lot for an album released so early in the year.
Recommended:
Yes
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JennJoy
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