Folksinger, Vol. 2

Album review

With this second album produced by David Rawlings, Gillian Welch’s work and life partner, Willie Watson maintains his attachment to traditional country, blues and gospel from the early 20th century which would give birth to folk music in the 60s. From the first title, it’s an entire time period that emerges and carries us on Samson And Delilah. While he was singing solo on his previous album, here the former member of Old Crow Medicine Show called upon the talented gospel band from Nashville, the Fairfield Four. We still remain in an economy of instruments in order to be as authentic as possible, but those choirs bring warmth and spirituality to the songs. On The Road Again grows in strength and Watson doesn’t hesitate to blast his voice in answer to the choir feeding the song of small words, assents and onomatopoeia. Besides that, we don’t forget the banjo solos of The Cuckoo Bird or the complete ease of guitar picking on Leavin' Blues. It would seem that Willie Watson has acquired a certain confidence and maturity in his choice of titles and in their interpretation. The whole is a lot more colorful, still as deep and aspires to something more joyful. It is yet again a new perspective on deep America and folk music that is magnificently told to the tune of a harmonica that we don’t get tired of. © Clara Bismuth/Qobuz