WELDON HENSON - HONKY TONK FRONTIER
2015 - Hillbilly Renegade Records
If you are looking for a definition for 'Classic Country music' look no further, for Weldon Henson really does define that genre, in the process adding a modern freshness that indicates his, along with just a few others, could very well be the 'new direction' for country music! He is often described as a 'traditional country singer songwriter,' a title that should really refer to those from the early days of recording such as Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family etc. The first mentioned genre is the one that this hugely talented man can be fitted comfortably into although perhaps with 'contemporary' affixed, and yet in reality his music is pretty much timeless.
Stylistically he would be a throwback to the 1950s and beyond were it not for the virtually indefinable modern edginess that he and his tremendous band bring to every song.
Whilst his vocal chops are in a similar area to George Strait or Alan Jackson his music is so much stronger for the lack of polish and it's slightly unpredictable nature. That is meant as a compliment rather than a criticism of a man who was probably born to play this music and who instills such an extraordinary depth of feeling in everything he does. There has been nothing extraneous added, keeping the arrangements and instrumentation as simple as possible, using the strengths of the songs, vocals and band rather than recourse to an orchestras string section.
Buying an album by Strait or Jackson is something I have rarely done but I certainly would (and just have) purchase anything by Weldon Henson. You know beforehand what you are going to get from artists such as the aforementioned pair but listening to Weldons earlier albums you can't help but conclude that he is always going to be a boundary pusher thanks to his ability to play and sing a variety of styles within the country format. Weldon is also an excellent guitarist and a tremendous songwriter with all but one of the songs on this album being his own originals, with the odd one out being his excellent reading of Don Singleton's Hey Bottle of Whiskey.
His vocals have a warm edginess that perfectly evokes the situations in which the songs characters find themselves, with most being of a reflective nature. This is his fourth full length album and whilst he also carried out production duties he was assisted by Tommy Detamore and Ricky Davis, whilst his wife, Brooklyn Henson, provided some lovely background vocals that bring a nice contrast that helps enhance that note of 'edginess' in proceedings.
The album opens with the aforementioned Hey Bottle of Whiskey, a terrific example of modern day honky tonk with gorgeous steel guitar, tinkling piano and vocals attuned to the genre on a beautifully written song. It could almost be a throwback to the old days were it not for the fact that amongst the melodic twang there is a distinct edginess that lifts the man to virtually the same level as the new 'young guns' Sturgill Simpson and Cale Tyson. Honky Tonk Feels Right is driven by the chunky drums plus twangy guitar and steel and Weldon's excellent vocal that again has a little bit of an edge! As with the other new young country singers that stand out from the crowd, he is not trying to be George Strait, with the polishing of any rough edges that entails, instead keeping things relatively simple and tight. Hey Baby Can You Help Me is a tremendous mid tempo song that is a virtual duet with his wife Brooklyn. The song ranges between smooth and a kind of tension that sets them apart from lesser duets and with a little humour bubbling just below the surface. Finally, The Score is a slow lost love ballad that incorporates a powerful yearning. It is generically the style of song that many would be more concerned with expressing wide ranging vocal histrionics rather than applying the great depth of feeling exhibited by this man, as usual supported by the superb band and perfect for purpose arrangement, something that applies to all eleven songs on this tremendous album.
I suspect that before very much longer Weldon Henson is going to be at or very near the top of the country music pyramid and as with Tyson and Simpson he is a breath of fresh air that real country music fans have been crying out for. There is nothing showy or contrived in his music, just plain and simple, great country music.
http://weldonhenson.com/
If you are looking for a definition for 'Classic Country music' look no further, for Weldon Henson really does define that genre, in the process adding a modern freshness that indicates his, along with just a few others, could very well be the 'new direction' for country music! He is often described as a 'traditional country singer songwriter,' a title that should really refer to those from the early days of recording such as Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family etc. The first mentioned genre is the one that this hugely talented man can be fitted comfortably into although perhaps with 'contemporary' affixed, and yet in reality his music is pretty much timeless.
Stylistically he would be a throwback to the 1950s and beyond were it not for the virtually indefinable modern edginess that he and his tremendous band bring to every song.
Whilst his vocal chops are in a similar area to George Strait or Alan Jackson his music is so much stronger for the lack of polish and it's slightly unpredictable nature. That is meant as a compliment rather than a criticism of a man who was probably born to play this music and who instills such an extraordinary depth of feeling in everything he does. There has been nothing extraneous added, keeping the arrangements and instrumentation as simple as possible, using the strengths of the songs, vocals and band rather than recourse to an orchestras string section.
Buying an album by Strait or Jackson is something I have rarely done but I certainly would (and just have) purchase anything by Weldon Henson. You know beforehand what you are going to get from artists such as the aforementioned pair but listening to Weldons earlier albums you can't help but conclude that he is always going to be a boundary pusher thanks to his ability to play and sing a variety of styles within the country format. Weldon is also an excellent guitarist and a tremendous songwriter with all but one of the songs on this album being his own originals, with the odd one out being his excellent reading of Don Singleton's Hey Bottle of Whiskey.
His vocals have a warm edginess that perfectly evokes the situations in which the songs characters find themselves, with most being of a reflective nature. This is his fourth full length album and whilst he also carried out production duties he was assisted by Tommy Detamore and Ricky Davis, whilst his wife, Brooklyn Henson, provided some lovely background vocals that bring a nice contrast that helps enhance that note of 'edginess' in proceedings.
The album opens with the aforementioned Hey Bottle of Whiskey, a terrific example of modern day honky tonk with gorgeous steel guitar, tinkling piano and vocals attuned to the genre on a beautifully written song. It could almost be a throwback to the old days were it not for the fact that amongst the melodic twang there is a distinct edginess that lifts the man to virtually the same level as the new 'young guns' Sturgill Simpson and Cale Tyson. Honky Tonk Feels Right is driven by the chunky drums plus twangy guitar and steel and Weldon's excellent vocal that again has a little bit of an edge! As with the other new young country singers that stand out from the crowd, he is not trying to be George Strait, with the polishing of any rough edges that entails, instead keeping things relatively simple and tight. Hey Baby Can You Help Me is a tremendous mid tempo song that is a virtual duet with his wife Brooklyn. The song ranges between smooth and a kind of tension that sets them apart from lesser duets and with a little humour bubbling just below the surface. Finally, The Score is a slow lost love ballad that incorporates a powerful yearning. It is generically the style of song that many would be more concerned with expressing wide ranging vocal histrionics rather than applying the great depth of feeling exhibited by this man, as usual supported by the superb band and perfect for purpose arrangement, something that applies to all eleven songs on this tremendous album.
I suspect that before very much longer Weldon Henson is going to be at or very near the top of the country music pyramid and as with Tyson and Simpson he is a breath of fresh air that real country music fans have been crying out for. There is nothing showy or contrived in his music, just plain and simple, great country music.
http://weldonhenson.com/