Search - William Elliott Whitmore :: Song of the Blackbird (Dig)

Song of the Blackbird (Dig)
William Elliott Whitmore
Song of the Blackbird (Dig)
Genres: Country, Blues, Folk, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (9) - Disc #1

The organic musical progression of this young, rural Iowan continues to impress. Though he has yet to reach 30, his gravelly voice; themes of mortality, loss, and redemption; and spare accompaniment on banjo and guitar ev...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: William Elliott Whitmore
Title: Song of the Blackbird (Dig)
Members Wishing: 4
Total Copies: 0
Label: Southern Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2006
Re-Release Date: 8/29/2006
Genres: Country, Blues, Folk, Pop, Rock
Styles: Americana, Outlaw Country, Classic Country, Traditional Blues, Traditional Folk, Singer-Songwriters
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 718752813020, 718752813013

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The organic musical progression of this young, rural Iowan continues to impress. Though he has yet to reach 30, his gravelly voice; themes of mortality, loss, and redemption; and spare accompaniment on banjo and guitar evoke an era before electricity and indoor plumbing. Yet there's a melodic warmth and spirit of renewal here that was nowhere to be heard on Whitmore's two previous albums. As the song cycle proceeds from drought to flood, the musical narrator even proclaims himself a "happy feller" at one point, though happiness remains barely a glimmer throughout much of his music. Both the stunning "The Chariot" (which puts a darker spin on "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken") and "Red Buds" benefit from the backing of keyboardist Dave Zollo and drummer John Crawford, while the thematically pivotal instrumental, "And Then the Rains Came," adds electronic atmospherics and sound effects over a repetitive guitar drone. From the elegy for a dying breed of "Rest His Soul" to the closing meditation on loss and memory in "Everyday," Whitmore continues to craft a remarkable body of work. --Don McLeese
 

CD Reviews

Best Release Yet
S. Stone | Denver, CO | 09/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"On his third release, William Elliott Whitmore continues to earn his reputation as one of the best voices in American music. This album expands his sound, adding more instrumentation, and at the same time sticks to its roots. Even "And Then The Rains Came", on which Will decides to rest his voice, evokes a feeling that makes it clear the song belongs on the record. The optimism seen in small doses on previous records shines through in songs like "Dry", "Take It On The Chin", and "Lee County Flood"; while Will's bluesy roots are evident in "One Man's Shame".



This is, overall, a mighty fine record. Buy it. And if you have the opportunity, see him perform these songs live. His shows are even better."
Buy his record and watch him live!
Hyrum Thompson | SLC, UT | 10/20/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This guy has a wonderful voice. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend watching him live!"
Our best selling record of 2006!!!
Record Collector | Iowa City, Iowa | 04/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whitmore released 2 records this year, "Song of the Blackbird" and "Hallways of Always". They are were our top 2 sellers of 2006, for a reason."