David Wilcox displays a new simplicity
THE GASTON GAZETTE
Monday, January 01, 2001
by Jason Hartsoe
Last year David Wilcox's Maryland home was converted into a makeshift lelee of duct tape and mic stands, mingling extension cords and the vocal chords of friends and folksingers.
His kitchen and den provided the off-the-cuff recording studio for the neo-folk veteran's eighth album, "What you Whispered," This new album is an attempt to bring his often philosophicaly inquisitive music into a more sincere, simplistic folk medium.
The recording was spontaneous, creating a playful, conversational feel to the album.
"I used to be satisfied with an intricate song that took a lot of listenings to understand, now I like the challenge of refining that difficult lyric until it becomes deeply clear," said Wilcox, who performs in Charlote this weekend.
The result is a batch of a dozen delicate, seasoned songs that stand in confidence.
The implicit, inner strength of the album's lyrics may be most realized in the opening track, "What You Whispered," with the words "In the tears you gave to me/I found a river to an ocean."
And "This Tattoo" is an anthem to that indelible declration that time cannot eerase with lyrics like, "Make your clear and solmen vow before the age of compromise." This song is highlighted by a buoyant tenor banjo that found its way onto the album as did many other instruments that happened to be lying around the house.
The "try this at home" recording of this album allowed for a broad range of production."
"The result was not only great performances it captured like wildlife photography, but also for the playful attitude with overdub ideas," Wilcox said.
In fact, a kalimba shows up as well as an antique telephone in "Whisper of teh Wheels," he places a vocal mic inside an upright bass for a vocal."
The Christian rock band Jars of Clay and labelmate Ellis Paul also lend background vocals.
Wilcox attended Warren Wilson College in the early 1980s where he intended to receive a degree in music, but fell in love with a religion concentrated humanities program, consquently graduating with a wealth of poetry, theater, and history.
While in Asheville, Wilcox played a club and instead of getting paid, he got passes to other upcoming shows. He said that he would go regardless of whether or not he liked the act and that the immersion of this wide selection helped to develop his music.
"I could never get up to sing unless Ih ad a song that I felt deserved to be heard, and I could never have the discipline to write unless I knew I was going to go out and sing for people. I love performing live. I think that recordings are just an invitation to a concert."
Wilcox plays The Great Aunt Stella Theater on Elizabeth Avenue in Charlotte on Friday and Saturday nights and promises to give the most honest peformance possible.
While the Saturday night performance is sold out, tickets $25 are still available for the Friday inght show. Show time is 8 p.m., with an opening performance by Chris Rosser.
His kitchen and den provided the off-the-cuff recording studio for the neo-folk veteran's eighth album, "What you Whispered," This new album is an attempt to bring his often philosophicaly inquisitive music into a more sincere, simplistic folk medium.
The recording was spontaneous, creating a playful, conversational feel to the album.
"I used to be satisfied with an intricate song that took a lot of listenings to understand, now I like the challenge of refining that difficult lyric until it becomes deeply clear," said Wilcox, who performs in Charlote this weekend.
The result is a batch of a dozen delicate, seasoned songs that stand in confidence.
The implicit, inner strength of the album's lyrics may be most realized in the opening track, "What You Whispered," with the words "In the tears you gave to me/I found a river to an ocean."
And "This Tattoo" is an anthem to that indelible declration that time cannot eerase with lyrics like, "Make your clear and solmen vow before the age of compromise." This song is highlighted by a buoyant tenor banjo that found its way onto the album as did many other instruments that happened to be lying around the house.
The "try this at home" recording of this album allowed for a broad range of production."
"The result was not only great performances it captured like wildlife photography, but also for the playful attitude with overdub ideas," Wilcox said.
In fact, a kalimba shows up as well as an antique telephone in "Whisper of teh Wheels," he places a vocal mic inside an upright bass for a vocal."
The Christian rock band Jars of Clay and labelmate Ellis Paul also lend background vocals.
Wilcox attended Warren Wilson College in the early 1980s where he intended to receive a degree in music, but fell in love with a religion concentrated humanities program, consquently graduating with a wealth of poetry, theater, and history.
While in Asheville, Wilcox played a club and instead of getting paid, he got passes to other upcoming shows. He said that he would go regardless of whether or not he liked the act and that the immersion of this wide selection helped to develop his music.
"I could never get up to sing unless Ih ad a song that I felt deserved to be heard, and I could never have the discipline to write unless I knew I was going to go out and sing for people. I love performing live. I think that recordings are just an invitation to a concert."
Wilcox plays The Great Aunt Stella Theater on Elizabeth Avenue in Charlotte on Friday and Saturday nights and promises to give the most honest peformance possible.
While the Saturday night performance is sold out, tickets $25 are still available for the Friday inght show. Show time is 8 p.m., with an opening performance by Chris Rosser.
