Wilson, Jonathan: Fanfare

Jonathan Wilson's last album, Gentle Spirit was released in September of 2011, and it quickly became my second favorite album of that year. That debut album was full of massive hits like, the title track "Gentle Spirit", "Desert Raven", "Waters Down", "Valley of the Silver Moon", and my favorite song of the year, "Natural Rhapsody". So now the eternal question, with the release of Fanfare, how do you follow up such a strong debut? Sophomore albums rarely are able to sustain the momentum created by their debuts.

There are many exceptions to the rule, and now Fanfare can be added to the list.

Fanfare opens like a Pink Floyd interstellar ride within the melody of CSN's "Cathedral". Run all the sound possibilities of that over in your mind for a minute. Later they conjure ELO's deep bass and orchestrated string themes within classic Beatles sounds. Yah, just about everything you could want…including sharp piano. Wilson's vocals take you back to early George Harrison or John Lennon. Not the powerhouse of inspiration that "Natural Rhapsody" or the track "Gentle Spirit" were, but full of dynamic melody and original inspiration. The sax solo will remind you of Pink Floyd.

"Dear Friend" sounds like something that might have made it onto Gentle Spirit. It has the similar friendly sound and soft vocals that were all over Wilson's debut. However, after the soft opening Wilson packs more of that Pink Floyd/Beatles sound mixed well within his own Laurel Canyon sensibilities. There are some great lead guitar solos that conjure David Gilmour without sounding lifted from any albums of the past. The jam/instrumental session is wonderful and will take you away from any troubles you face in the day. This jam session is one of the album's bets highlights. The organ matched with the keys and that deep bass had me going back over Pink Floyd. The guitar riff near the end of the instrumental is a great Pink Floyd/Beatles "Come Together" sound that is simply superb. Not as powerful as the debut, but definitely helping to build a very memorable discography. This will be a great song to watch live.

"Her Hair Is Growing Long" opens with big bold acoustic guitar sounds. This track has the powerful lyrics I remember from Gentle Spirit. Wilson is by far one of my favorite new singers and this track truly highlights his range and capacity to sing dynamically. The America – like acoustic guitar that picks up with "And we dance…and the day goes on", is a fantastic day dream escape. Sit back and enjoy the sound of that acoustic guitar soak through the soundscape.

"Love To Love" sounds like it was heavily influenced by Bob Dylan. In fact, it maybe even sounds like some of Jakob Dylan's work. A fun dancing or travelling song, full of warm Hammond, piano, lead electric and a fun beat.

"Future Vision" opens with sweeping steel guitar, piano and drums. Then they add the backing vocal harmony and you feel like you may be in the middle of a Fleet Foxes track. Only there is still that strong hint of Lennon. One of the strongest songs on the album. Wilson's vocals sound like Tom Petty and it adds magic to the mix. There is a heavy Beatles influence on this track to be sure. Especially that stomping instrumental section. The Hammond and piano add such a great flavor. The deep bass fuels emotion.

"Moses Pain" brings back that great Laurel Canyon sound. This track was definitely inspired by both Bob Dylan and Jackson Browne. The piano and organ will take you back to Runnin' on Empty.

"Cecil Taylor" opens with some excellent and intricate acoustic guitar. "Heaven and Earth collide". "I'm just another heart and a set of eyes looking for a miracle". Another of the best tracks on this album.

"Illumination" opens with heavy lead electric guitar and plenty of reverb. The keyboard work is amazing. The lead electric guitar buzzes and rips at the soundscape to create the heaviest track on the album. Wilson almost raps the lyrics. Again Wilson brings some great Tom Petty sounding vocals.

With a title like "Desert Trip", I had a feeling this would be another trip back to the power and inspiration of Gentle Spirit, and I was not disappointed. The piano and soft acoustic guitar makes this another one of the best album tracks.

"Fazon" is a Sopwith Camel cover song that opens with loud clarinet. It sounds very jazzy. "Who's going to live in all those cities underground? If they move there will they ever come out, of the ground?" This 1973 song is one that I do remember enjoying and Wilson helps bring it back to life full of emotion.

"New Mexico" also sounded like it would be a weighty song. This one definitely has the influence of Graham Nash and David Crosby. It opens with echoing and harmonizing vocals from Nash and Crosby that sound like they sang it from within the Laurel Canyon. The music and vocals are met with bright acoustic guitar and flute. Yes…excellent. The flute solo and all that comes before it makes this another of the best tracks on the album. The Hammond organ shines. Nothing's missing.

That opening piano on "Lovestrong" will take your breath away. Finally…a track that rises to the level of the "Big 5" on Gentle Spirit. "Mystic music almost saved me from my memories". That big bold grand piano, the deep, earth moving lyrics, the power electric chords. That Pink Floyd backbeat mixed well with Abbey Road Beatles reminders makes this my favorite track on the album. Unlike some of the rest of the album this was an immediate hit. The Dark Side of the Moon feeling that is all over this track is simply wonderful. Piano, Hammond…it's all here. Close your eyes and dream. Just like it used to be.

Jonathan knows how to close an album and bring you back for more. "All The Way Down" is the big album closer. "I need to speak with the mystic". A strong closer full of life and emotion.

"Fanfare features vocal and instrumental contributions from Graham Nash, David Crosby, Jackson Browne, Josh Tillman (aka Father John Misty), Wilco's Patrick Sansone, and Dawes' Taylor Goldsmith, as well as Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Wilson recorded Fanfare with engineer Bryce Gonzales over a nine-month period at his own Fivestar Studios in Echo Park. British folk legend Roy Harper co-wrote several of the songs on the album, which also features Wilson's regular band members, Richard Gowen (drums), Dan Horne (bass), Omar Velasco (guitar) and Jason Borger (piano/organ)" (http://www.musicdirect.com/p-153326-jonathan-wilson-fanfare-lp.aspx, 2013).

This is a fantastic continuation of the music Jonathan Wilson offered with his debut album. It does not reach the level of his debut, but it does not disappoint either. It proves Wilson's consistency as a major singer/songwriter for our time, who offers a new voice to the sounds of the past blended well with his own personal touch. I recommend Fanfare for all fans of Wilson and the American folk music tradition.

Track Listing:

1. Fanfare
2. Dear Friend
3. Her Hair Is Growing Long
4. Love To Love
5. Future Vision
6. Moses Pain
7. Cecil Taylor
8. Illumination
9. Desert Trip
10. Fazon
11. New Mexico
12. Lovestrong
13. All The Way Down

Added: October 16th 2013
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: songsofjonathanwilson.com/
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Language: english

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