a r t i s t : Bobby Watt
t i t l e : Watt Next?
d a t e : 2002
l a b e l : Glenashdale
g e n r e : Folk
r l s. d a t e : May/2006
t r a c k s : 14
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 72,3 MB
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I write this review from my home here in Grimsby, England. I
tell you this because after three full plays, the first thing
I now think of when I listen to this album is a curious
behavioural trait exhibited by some of my fellow-British
countrymen, who visit France for a short holiday, and "go
native" with a vengeance. They come back writing "continental
sevens"!
This guy Watt must be the absolute antithesis of such
characters. For here is a fellow who emigrated from Scotland
to Canada in 1975, but who, now over a quarter of a century
later, still sings in a spectacularly unadulterated Scots
accent. More power to his elbow (or should that be his "vocal
chords"?) I reckon.
This is his fourth CD, and good enough to make me rather wish
I had come across his previous three. Clearly, if they are
anything like this one, that was my loss. His warm voice and
capable backing musicians engage you from the start.
The voice is quite similar to another Scot who, shortly before
Watt, also left his native land in search of the New World.
Eric Bogle. But the difference is that the Aussie vowel sounds
have manifestly made inroads into Bogle's diction, whereas
Watt sounds like he has never been to London ENGLAND, let
alone London ONTARIO.
The album is largely a mixture of his interpretations of the
contemporary and the traditional, with a few self-penned songs
thrown in. It is fair to say that here, unlike with many CDs
one reviews, no single track strikes one as being an obvious
error of judgement. Yes it is true that I do not share his
clear passion for that mildly pretentious Eagles' favourite
"Desperado", but by golly, he really delivers it in fine
style. As he does one of Dylan's less-celebrated songs
"Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You".
But the real moment of magic, is his version of Robert Burns's
"Westlin' Winds". It alone is worth the price of the CD. It is
unforgettable, and here is for why.
Now, I don't know: maybe I have led a sheltered life. Perhaps
Watt is tapping-into an ancient vocal tradition: but I promise
you, I have never encountered it before. This is what he does
with this most famous of Scottish songs: he slowly speaks the
immortal words, and then maybe thirty seconds in, he SINGS a
line-ending. Then he recites more of the words, and then again
sings, but this time, a longer bit. And then it becomes ALL
song.
It is a truly PROFOUND experience for the listener. First, it
is as if he is slowly reciting the words to let you examine
the goods. He knows that these are majestic words, and I guess
he ALSO knows that were he to sing them from the "top of the
page", many listeners new to Burns would sort of switch off,
despite the fine melody. So what better, than to sedately roll
them off his tongue?
And then when the melodic bit is added (as I say, GRADUALLY,
like a swimmer dipping first toe, then foot, into the Sea of
Melody on a cold day) it is as if the WORDS TAKE FLIGHT!)
And just like with a young bird leaving the nest, the first
couple of attempts help one to see one's potential, and the
third go sees one soar off and defy gravity. Burns's words
genuinely SOAR towards the heavens.
Whether Bobby Watt hit upon this idea himself, or he borrowed
the technique from a favourite source singer, I know not. All
I do know is that it is something that he would do well to
incorporate into some more of his repertoire. And other
singers too.
Of course it does not work with anything less than sublimely
good lyrics. With so much of what one hears today, this
technique would fail dismally, since the words would not
survive close inspection.
But I close in thanking Bobby Watt for a very respectable
album, and a genuine moment of epiphany. (livingtradition.com)
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01-factory girl [03:59]
02-hold me close [04:12]
03-lads of the fair [03:34]
04-both sides the tweed [04:15]
05-you'd never sing the blues [03:53]
06-i once loved a lass [04:27]
07-a man's a man [03:13]
08-desperado [03:14]
09-father mallory [03:06]
10-westlin' winds [02:46]
11-tonight i'll be staying here with you [04:39]
12-paddy donovan - donald mclean's farewell to oban [05:37]
13-remembrance day - flowers of the forest [06:25]
14-the inverary inn [01:40]
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55:00 min