A mischievously droll, but also tender, gently moving new release by Kentucky’s seasoned singer-songwriter Will Oldham, this time very much in Nashville-flavoured country mode, with numbers about community, relationships and the state of the nation, joined by producer and old friend David “ Ferg” Ferguson. It’s unusual for Oldham to bring in a producer, but is was Ferguson who first introduced him to the late Johnny Cash in the latter’s late autumn of his career, having released several classic American Recordings covers albums, and Cash doing that Oldham favourite, I See A Darkness. There’s a stellar gathering of bluegrass and country sessions musicians on this album, and the title is named after old drawing by Ferg hanging above the door to the spare apartment above his garage, at which guest is a regular visitor. Finely hewn melodies and nuance of lyric are here like an smooth aged whisky, and in a background America torn by division and, but also reaching for distilled simplicity, stripping back to what people share rather than what divides. So on that opener Turned to Dust (Rolling On) comes the chorus comes the plea: “No matter what side you’re standing on/ Can’t we all just get along.” Previous Song of the Day, Our Home, featuring Tim O’Brien is another foot-stomping sing-along standout. But the album is isn’t all open-hearted peace-making. Downstream, with John Anderson, is a gentle but powerful number about climate change and pollution. Guns Are For Cowards also addresses a pointed issue with biting irony and an oompah brass band - “Who will you shoot in the face?” sings Oldham, with impish oompah. “Who will you shoot in the back?”. Oldham covers a spectrum of emotions with other highlights including the lustful longing of Spend the Whole Night With You, and tricky infidelity on Boise, Idaho, and relationship blues on Tonight With the Dogs I’m Sleeping. There’s no room for complacency and comfort in these troubling times, but this is an album that addresses them with a smoky, slow musical beauty, and series of simmering vivid images. Out on Domino Records.
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