Wilson Pickers, The - Land of the Powerful Owl (Album)
I've been waiting for this....
What started out as a random idea of gathering together a few musical friends from different ends of the east coast has become a reality with the debut album from The Wilson Pickers, Land of the Powerful Owl.
These guys are an eclectic mix of musicians from Victoria and Queensland, all respected in their own right, who have decided to unite periodically, get in touch with their country side and make beautiful music together.
Andrew Morris, Danny Widdicombe, Ben Salter, Sime Nugent and John Bedggood make up this five piece ensemble of amazing musical talent.
Recorded in a monumental effort of three days up in Brisbane, they overcame a few slight obstacles (Day 1; Mr Salter,suffering from slight navigational difficulties gets lost in Melbourne, Day 2; sickness taking out Danny) to finally all getting together in the same studio on Day 3 to put the final touches on their debut album.
And they sound like they are had fun.
From the opening track with Moz singing Can't Steal My Love, the album weaves through eleven original numbers, juggling lead singers and varied instruments. There is a fantastic mix of sounds and songs, made possible by the assembly of the five talented singers and songwriters that make up this collective.
The whole album is full of catchy, toe tappers from Gold River to the slightly slower Country Fair, all delivered with the enthusiasm and honesty of a bunch of guys who not only love music, but obviously respect each other and enjoy each others company.
And just take a look at the list of instruments used on this album- as well as the usual guitars, these guys use an interesting array of musical tools in the form of the harp, banjo, fiddle, harmonica and mandolin which all help to give this album its distinct blue-grass feel.
Listen to the charming I'm just like a little old man and I dare you to try and not have that foot tapping along. It's become a definate favourite of mine..
The end of October/start of November sees the boys travelling the east coast launching their album. With stops in Melbourne, Sydney and Brissy, followed by dates at a few places all over the place, they are even planning on a nice little get together in Tamworth next year.
May the Wilson Pickers overcome their locational differences and gather together again and again. I'm hoping this is just the beginning...
Do your self a favour and take a listen to this. Even if country/blue-grass is not your style, check it out, expand the music genres that your ears consume, you never know- you may find that you like it...
