Nashville singer-songwriter Will Hoge lists Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Van Morrison, and Neil Young as his musical influences, but names Otis Redding as his favorite singer of all time. This equal affection for folk and soul music is very apparent on Hoge's brilliant 2007 release Draw The Curtains. I hesitate to give any singer such a high compliment, but Hoge's voice and style often reminds me of Richie Havens.
A piano quietly follows Hoge's richly textured voice through the opening verse of "When I Can Afford To Lose" before the song segues into a lusher arrangement adorned with soft strings and the occasional blast of harmonica. "These Were The Days" takes on a faster roots rock tempo, and the quasi ballad "Dirty Little War" is the perfect blend of Americana instrumentation and soul wail. Hoge plays electric guitar as if it were lap steel.
"Silver Or Gold" digs into a deeper blues-rock burrow embellished with piano, gospel organ, and Hoge's expressive howls. The catchy "Sex, Lies And Money" perks things up briefly before "I'm Sorry" slides softly into melancholia on a sweet breeze of fiddle. The vocal resemblance to Richie Havens is especially apparent on the soulful title track.
Will Hoge - Silver Or Gold (mp3 expired)
Will Hoge Official Site
Will Hoge MySpace
Buy @ Amazon
A piano quietly follows Hoge's richly textured voice through the opening verse of "When I Can Afford To Lose" before the song segues into a lusher arrangement adorned with soft strings and the occasional blast of harmonica. "These Were The Days" takes on a faster roots rock tempo, and the quasi ballad "Dirty Little War" is the perfect blend of Americana instrumentation and soul wail. Hoge plays electric guitar as if it were lap steel.
"Silver Or Gold" digs into a deeper blues-rock burrow embellished with piano, gospel organ, and Hoge's expressive howls. The catchy "Sex, Lies And Money" perks things up briefly before "I'm Sorry" slides softly into melancholia on a sweet breeze of fiddle. The vocal resemblance to Richie Havens is especially apparent on the soulful title track.
Will Hoge Official Site
Will Hoge MySpace
Buy @ Amazon
1 comments:
I saw Will Hoge open for Marc Broussard about three years ago (the other opening act, incidentally, was Sara Bareilles). It was right around the time "Blackbird on a Lonely Wire" came out. He puts on an excellent show and has a great sound. Good pickup!
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