25. March 2025
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Media Review

Willie Watson – Willie Watson

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Willie Watson - Willie Watson

Willie Watson - Willie Watson
4.6

Rating

 4.6/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Great songwriting
  • Very intense stories

Flyctory.com Cons

  • Some parts are really dramatic and depressing

Willie Watson became famous as one of the founding members of Old Crow Medicine Show. However, he left the band in 2011 and is pursuing a solo career since then. His blending of folk music and bluegrass elements already lead to two albums, Folk Singer, Vol. 1 (2014) and Folksinger, Vol. 2 (2017). On 13th September, he released his third solo studio album. It is self-titled.

 

Willie Watson – About The Artist

William Currie Watson was born 23rd September 1979. The US-American artist is from Watkins Glen in Upstate New York. He ran into Ketch Secor during his New Hampshire high school years and later co-founded Old Crow Medicine Show with him and other artists. Turning solo, he had some initial appearances on cruise ships and the Greater Los Angeles area. His music became more and more popular, which lead to gigs all over the country and even abroad. Apart from his solo music, he was also invited as a guest musician multiple times during his career. He also had a few appearances in movies as an actor. Apart from the guitar, he is also known for playing the banjo.

 

Willie Watson – Willie Watson – Track by Track

The nine song album lasts 44 minutes.

1. Slim and The Devil

Willie Watson’s third album kicks off with three songs already released as singles. The rhythmic song comes with rather short verse lines, which leads to a very fast storytelling, but also kills some atmosphere to me. The blending of a folk-alike key melody and typical bluegrass elements in the background is stunning, though. It, however, also leaves a bit of a hectic touch.

2. Real Love

Real Love comes with a very different character. The song is slower, less rhythmic and thus also feels more relaxed. Might be because I am not an English mother tongue, but that style also makes it much easier to me to follow the story of this ballad. I definitely appreciate it and enjoy the very personal style of the track.

Some came to me in strides
Some wounded my pride
On the banks
Where the raging river flows
But I could hear you callin’ me
From the other side
This is the only real love
That I have ever known

3. Already Gone

Already Gone is presenting another gentle melody, somewhere in the Americana sphere. The slight drumming leads to a nice rhythmic connection. On the lyrics side, there are quite some gaps between lines sometimes. This leads to a surprisingly strong spotlight on the instruments.

4. Sad Song

The comparably high voice of Willie Watson with the slightly squealing touch feels like being a perfect touch for this Sad Song. The song is definitely not made to push up your mood, but the beautifully written lyrics may still leave a smile in your heart.

The banjos are rolling
They’re tappin’ those tambourines
The banjos are rolling
They’re tappin’ those tambourines
Baby’s gonna dance while I sit here instead
With a sad song reelin’ around in my head

5. One To Fall

The album continues emotional, intense, but also sad. One To Fall is likely the most intense listening experience on the whole album. Great storytelling.

I’ve said all I can say
But I just can’t make that call
Can’t someone else
Be the one to fall

6. Harris and The Mare

After having listened to One To Fall, I was almost begging for some happier things on Willie Watson. Will the six minute Harris and The Mare be in line with that. The slow opener with a rather long instrumental intro does not sound too promising in regards of that. And the song does not give any uplifting emotions thereafter as well. A family and friendship drama with a violent background story. The monotony of the song even adds more to this. Lyrics like Blood I was from neck to thigh, bloody murder in his eye
as he shouted out “I’ll finish you for sure” underline the dramatic topic in this listen.

7. Mole In the Ground

I wish I was a mole in the ground – the first words of the seventh song might not sound like a too positive listen again. However, the playful bluegrass vibes do lead to a rather happy experience after this block of shocking stories. With 2:30 minutes, the song is the shortest on this 2024 Willie Watson release. However, it manages to leave a mark.

8. Play It One More Time

With Play It One More Time, the album heads back to a slower, intense, folk-alike sound. The focus on the vocal and thus on the story feels breathtaking, the instruments are just doing the bare minimum to even uplift that intensity. Great songwriting.

9. Reap ’em in the Valley

One more song left  – and this one takes about a fifth of the album.- Reap ’em in the Valley is an eight and a half minute chucker-out. The lyrics sheet I received with the album is written as a novel for this song only. And, indeed, practically the whole song is just spoken word with some instrumental support. Thereby, Willie Watson is presenting something like a (sad) autobiography. Wow!

 

Willie Watson – Willie Watson – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Willie Watson – Willie Watson – My View

Willie Watson’s third album is depressing. It touches you. But that also means that it is excellently written. You feel with the artist and you wish for more happy moment. Finally, there are hardly any of them on these 44 minutes. But this does not mean that the album is not a great listen.

Favorite Song: Harris and the Mare

 

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