Wood, Steel, Dust & Dreams
Welding Rod, 2021
8/10
Listen to Wood, Steel, Dust & Dreams
The always impressive Rod Picott has been writing songs with Slaid Cleave, his childhood friend and esteemed singer-songwriter, for over 30 years now, and here he’s assembled 2 discs full of them. A collector’s items of sorts, there’s only a handful made, and they’re numbered, signed and even come with a 28 page booklet with in depth explanations of the songs.
Primarily a stripped back affair where the songs are reflective, even melancholic at times, selections like “Double Crossed Heart” and “Sinner’s Prayer” tug on the heartstrings with much warmth. Elsewhere, there’s grit and more firm singing on twang friendly tunes like “Bring It On”.
Picott occasionally seems on the cusp of a catharsis, such as “Fire Inside”, whereas “Beyond Love” is a vocally strong and emotively aware moment of bare beauty. A brand new song, “The Ballad Of The Magic Rats”, exits the listen, and brings a bluesy, talking strategy and comparisons to Lou Reed to go along with his parallels to Dylan and Springsteen.
Musicians like Will Kimbrough (guitar), Lex Price (mandolin, bass), Matt Mauch (acoustic slide guitar) , Neilson Hubbard (percussion) and even Cleaves making an appearance are greatly appreciated, and while Cleaves has recorded many of these songs, too, it’s nice to hear Picott’s cautious versions. Probably aimed at the diehard fan, it works for the first time listener as well, as familiarizing yourself with one of Nashville’s finest is absolutely necessary if you haven’t already.
Travels well with: Matt Eckstine- Lil’ Blue; Last Year’s Man- Brave The Storm