Dog Eared Dream (Silver Anniversary Edition)

Album review

Patty Larkin is a good female comparison to Willy Porter. Both are awesome guitarists and humorous storytellers who write and sing songs that cross genre borders, generally landing somewhere between folk, rock, pop, and blues, with the occasional soulful tinge. Dog Eared Dream was originally released independently in 1994, being reissued in 1995 by Private Music thanks to a buzz built by Porter's relentless touring and adult alternative radio's crush on him. "Angry Words" was the catalyst for the attention, and rightfully so. It's a catchy little ditty detailing the cathartic moment when you realize your broken heart might finally be mended. Here and elsewhere, Porter seems to be a bit of a romantic, an earnest man, and a trusted friend. His sensitivity glistens in songs like "Watercolor," "Cold Wind," and "Boab Tree." The first is a full-on love song, tender, sweet, and lovely. "Cold Wind" is a quiet, touching tribute to a friend with HIV, and "Boab Tree" paints a peaceful scene of Australian Aborigines performing a ritual on a dark, rainy night as he observes from a passing train. Using the more subtle dynamics of his voice and acoustic guitar, Porter shines brightest on these poignant tracks. (Although his bouncy tale of an 18-wheel savior in "Jesus on the Grille" is pretty catchy, too.) With all this going for it, it's no wonder that Dog Eared Dream got so much attention for a talented fellow from Wisconsin.
© Kelly McCartney /TiVo