Yes, and Yes! Willie Watson’s Folksinger, Vol. 2 On The Way
Ever since former Old Crow Medicine Show member Willie Watson released his debut solo record Folksinger, Vol. 1, we’ve been waiting impatiently for Vol.2, if there would even be one. With only himself and a guitar, Willie Watson was able to accomplish what entire bands struggle to do their entire careers, which is evoke the old memories of songs from the past in a form as rich as when they were originally sung and composed. There’s just a certain magic in the muse and mannerisms in Willie’s music that make it more than just a reconstitution. It’s like you’re witnessing a ghost in your midst.
“I’m not trying to prove any point here,” Watson says about his music. “I’m not trying to be a purist. There’s so much beauty in this old music, and it affects me on a deep level. It moves me and inspires me. I heard Leadbelly singing with the Golden Gate Quartet and it sounded fantastic, and I thought, ‘I want to do that.’ I heard the Grateful Dead doing their version of ‘On the Road Again,’ and it sounded like a dance party in 1926, and I wanted to do that, too. That’s the whole reason I ever played music in the first place—because it looked and sounded like it was going to be a lot of fun.”
Produced by David Rawlings, Folksinger Vol. 2 was recorded on analog tape at Woodland Sound Studios in Nashville, TN. The album features 11 songs made famous by folks such as Leadbelly, Reverend Gary Davis, Furry Lewis, and Bascom Lamar Lunsford. The Fairfield Four joins Willie Watson on three tracks, and the album also features contributions by Gillian Welch, Morgan Jahnig of Old Crow Medicine Show, and Paul Kowert of the Punch Brothers.
Willie Watson is also known to perform with the Dave Rawlings Machine, and is set to make his acting debut in the Coen Brother’s upcoming movie, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.
Folksinger Vol. 2 is out September 15th via Acony Records, and is currently up for Pre-Order. Watson will also be on tour through the late summer and fall.
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FOLKSINGER VOL. 2 TRACK LIST
1. Samson And Delilah (feat. The Fairfield Four)
2. Gallows Pole
3. When My Baby Left Me
4. Dry Bones
5. Walking Boss
6. On The Road Again (feat. The Fairfield Four)
7. The Cuckoo Bird
8. Always Lift Him Up And Never Knock Him Down
9. John Henry
10. Leavin’ Blues
11. Take This Hammer (feat. The Fairfield Four)
July 17, 2017 @ 11:30 am
Yay
July 17, 2017 @ 12:28 pm
I hate people releasing these stupid “volume 1” of this and that but never releasing a volume 2.
Either give it a different title or commit to the second volume.
under no circumstances is it acceptable to leave something unfinished.
I hate movies that do it, books that do it, and cds that do it.
July 18, 2017 @ 5:34 am
I mean, I’m sure most people plan on a volume 2 at the time, but underperforming can factor whether or not a follow up is released. It might not be the case all the time, but I’m sure it is the majority of the time. Like when a really bad movie sets up a sequel that never happens.
July 17, 2017 @ 1:10 pm
“I’m not trying to prove any point here … There’s so much beauty in this old music”
so you have a point, then
it’s interesting that the album is not called “Folk Songs, Vol. 2.” I wonder whether that was calculated, thinking people would rather buy a “folksinger” than the actual folk songs on the record. what does that mean, if anything? it might mean that people buy cultural personalities rather than cultural content — which puts us right back into pop music.
if that’s true, it’s hard to see how we* will ever get consumers to value message content or art, per se
which means we’ll keep recycling messengers
which may be why Willie looks like he dropped off a freight train in Meridian, Mississippi
July 18, 2017 @ 7:29 am
That’s the whole reason I ever played music in the first place—because it looked and sounded like it was going to be a lot of fun.
I absolutely loved Vol 1. It was like someone stepped out from the world documented in Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music. That’s how good I thought he was. And it was nice to hear those old songs in higher fidelity.
Willie Watson is just one person. Right now, he wants to do this. Maybe he’ll go in a more artistically creative direction in the future. Maybe not.
I will admit that I did wonder if we really need another version of The Cuckoo Bird when looking at the song list for the first time.
July 17, 2017 @ 2:12 pm
Will there be a preview of this somewhere. It sounds damn interesting. But
making covers of Leadbelly and Reverend Gary Davis that really sounds daring…
July 18, 2017 @ 5:40 am
I’m sure there will be, but no one has had a chance to actually listen to the album yet. The label just sent out the press release announcing the album yesterday.
July 18, 2017 @ 9:21 am
OK, guess I was a bit too hasty…:-) Thanks
July 17, 2017 @ 3:38 pm
Yes and Yes! And may I add a big Fuck Yes! Love Willie and his reverence for the past. Willie Watson, old songs, Dave Rawlings and recorded on Analog tape. What’s not to love about this? Not a damn thing in my humble opinion.
July 17, 2017 @ 5:17 pm
Looking forward to this.Hope the LP version gets out to the UK.
July 17, 2017 @ 5:37 pm
This is fantastic news! Can’t wait for his new album and tour. Also, I have seen Old Crow Medicine Show several times. Those guys put on a HELL of a show. They never disappoint. 😀
July 17, 2017 @ 7:00 pm
YES! This guy has about the best voice I’ve ever heard. And he can pick the hell out of a banjo and guitar. The only negative is it won’t be out sooner.
July 18, 2017 @ 7:09 am
Hey Trigger! Did you ever consider adding a stand alone forum to the website so we can converse and argue topics not related to your articles? For instance, I didn’t know where to post this question, so I just stuck it in the comments of your latest addition. I think it would add users to the website, and keep existing posters interested.
July 18, 2017 @ 2:37 pm
I’m pretty sure there used to be a forum years ago, but no one really used it. SCM has grown a lot since then, so maybe it could be brought back and actually be used by more folks.
July 18, 2017 @ 7:48 pm
This will be great I’m sure and I’ll take a listen but at this point I must have 7 different versions of every song on that list.