Buddha Belly Records (label)
04 July 2017 (released)
30 August 2017
Free Willy is the vision of W.B. Jones who sought out great musicians across deep east Texas to realize his version of bluegrass tinged Americana. One of the key elements to his style is a rejection of the habit of bluegrass musicians to 'take turns' preferring instead to have the players layer their solos creating intricate counter-melodies and therefore a richer, fuller sound. The fiddle gives a response to the guitar's call, harmonica chimes in throughout like a train whistle while the banjo tickles up and down the scale. Jones himself is understated and plain-spoken. There's no over-wrought honk or dramatic whoops. Jones maintains an easy going voice, an echo of a mature voice and a calmer pace of life. These are songs right from the back porch; earnest, romantic and acquiescent.
The album sets out with the longing ode to 'Amazing Gracie', a song that turns its predecessor's quest for salvation in the lord for a glimpse of salvation in Gracie's big, brown eyes. During the faster-paced bluegrass number, the musicians all give subtle nods to the original hymn before riffing off on their own. A beautiful stack of harmonies drives the song home.
Songs like 'Get in the Car' and 'Not Your Everyday Love Song' ease off on the up-tempo bluegrass pace and settle into a breezy, swaying Americana. Guitar and fiddle intertwine like braided hair in beautifully played solo passages. 'As a Man Thinketh' Jones takes things deeper trying to reconcile his faith with the laws and discoveries of science followed by 'Another Day, Another Dollar' about the mundane life of supporting yourself on manual labour. Jones is as comfortable pondering life's mysteries as he his singing off its struggles. The title track 'Remember the Alamo' isn't a reference to the siege but rather a swaying slow dance ode to a romantic night in San Antone. The album ends with a spirited bluegrass rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.
Free Willy's Remember the Alamo is a warm, tastefully played, well-written piece of classic Americana. You can just taste the freshly baked apple pie when you throw it on.
