Larry Jon Wilson - S/T (Drag City) Eric Nielsen 6.14.9
This sweet, precious, simple, aged voice and guitar simplicity draws you in. The outlaw country mellowed by time in an intimate setting that sounds like it was recorded in his living room with a couple of friends helping on the board. Confident guitar and words worth listening to make this a great listen.

Some simple fiddle is the only other sound on the disc besides the voice and acoustic guitar. If you like the classic Willie and Waylon, you'll get into this. Gently delivered The Whore Trilogy starts with Larry talking about going back to Hazel's, as the guitar hovers within the intro of the song. You get another voice responding about the Hazel comment and the purposeful leaving in of this dialouge is something I love. It's a statement of the moment, a sort of reality proof.

Nothing up any sleeves on this disc, just an old man with his guitar while the wind blows cold. The trilogy shifts between movements of gentle chords touched by simple guitar flourishes grounded in walk-downs on the low strings. Lots of classic references to the old south abound, deserts, hearts, losers, dancers, souls, and saving. This album treads the edges of country in a way that doesn't turn you off, it just sounds genuine.

I guess he learned guitar at age 30 and this is his first CD since the 70's. It's a Johnny Cash voice with a subtle simple song writing style that pulls you in instead of pushing you away. It just starts and warms your heart with a minimal amount of strumming, offering plenty of open spaces for the voice to act like water and run low to the gravity at the bottom of your heart.

Check out this youtube of the Whore Trilogy for a great flavor. This song is on the new album. Kudos to Drag City for this disc.