As We Go Wandering
Self-Released, 2020
10/10
The moniker of Konrad Wert, as Possessed By Paul James the veteran songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has been creating folk music that’s also blues and punk influenced since 2005. Coming off a Billboard charting album in 2013, with As We Go Wandering the troubadour injects themes of justice, peace and unity into his always relevant song craft.
“Come Back In My Mind” starts the album with playful bluegrass ideas, marching band style drumming and a raw delivery of folk prowess, and “In The Dark Of Morning” follows with a soulful angle and more calm setting of rugged Americana with incredible fiddle work.
In the middle, “I Come From SW Florida” flows with agile picking in the hushed atmosphere where Wert’s voice moves smoothly and with an alluring quality, while “Be At Rest” offers a more country influenced moment of rural beauty. “When It Breaks”, one of the album’s best, then glows amid a timeless folk quality where brushed percussion and Kert’s expressive vocals are front and center.
Near the end, “I Didn’t Know You When” keeps the songwriting proficient with a swift rootsy feeling, and the title track ends the listen vocally strong where female pipes complement the bare and memorable exit.
Wert has recently undergone a pair of vocal surgeries, and even though this is his first album in 7 years, his art sounds better than ever, more eloquent, more meticulous and with an incredible execution. There just isn’t a flaw anywhere to be found on As We Go Wandering.
Travels well with: The Devil Makes Three- Chains Are Broken; Sara Watkins- Young In All The Wrong Ways