Whispers From The Woods
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Listen to Whispers From The Woods
The inimitable songwriter Gordon Thomas Ward returns with a 4th album, where he enlists an all star cast of players to help soundtrack his honest and sincere storytelling.
The title track starts the listen with much gentle atmosphere, where whispers from Jud Caswell and Robby Coffin’s gentle electric guitar help make for a very intimate climate, and “The Gift” follows with Abbie Gardner’s resonator guitar helping the poetic demeanor unfold with grace.
In the middle, William J. Hall’s well timed harmony vocals and Andy Happel’s elegant strings give the cautious Americana a bit of an orchestral feel, while “Fly” emits a stirring quality amid Scott Elliott’s electric bass and Ronnie Bouffard’s strategic drums.
Closer to the end, the album highlight, “The 2nd Floor”, lands in timeless folk territory with bouncy acoustic strumming and Ward’s expressive singing populating the gospel angle, and “Evening Bell” exits with April Reed-Cox’s absorbing cello and Ben Hunsberger’s elegant piano helping make for a sophisticated and very mature finish.
Somewhere between folk, Americana, country and adult alternative, Ward and company make for a very unique listen that matches his vivid imagery with colorful musicianship.
Travels well with: Jackson Browne- Downhill From Everywhere; Jim Stanard- Color Outside The Lines