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Review: 'STRATTON, WILL'
'Rosewood Almanac'   

-  Label: 'Bella Union'
-  Genre: 'Folk' -  Release Date: '12th May 2017'

Our Rating:
I raved about Will Stratton's last album Gray Lodge Wisdom and my first impression of his follow up on Simon Raymonde's label was it was a weaker offering. After a few listens though I'm now not sure which I prefer.

Rosewood Almanac is less immediate but is another strong set of sensitive and intelligent songs. This is the California-born artist's first record to get both US and European distribution so it's to be hoped that discerning listeners will take the time and trouble he deserves .

Stratton recently had to endure extended treatment for cancer and this was the backdrop to Gray Lodge Wisdom. It's good to report that he has made a successful recovery although his close call with the grim reaper is still evident in the closing song Ribbons in which he asks himself "How does one write about who one used to be before the sterilising rays of the redeemer?"

It's noticeable that the identity of this redeemer is left deliberately vague. On Whatever's Divine he covers all the options by giving thanks to God, Allah and Jah.   

Despite these sobre musings on mortality, Rosewood Almanac is a calm and reflective collection rather than a journey into darkness. It is named after Stratton’s acoustic guitar the crystalline tone of which he says is "almost menacing in its precision.”   

His guitar heroes and key influences are British artists like Nick Drake, Richard Thompson, and Bert Jansch and it shows. This Is What We Do is particularly Drake-like, right down to the melancholy string arrangements.

The subject matter, however, is not Anglocentric as it touches upon the turmoil in America's political scene. Stratton says: “I wrote the record before Trump was elected, but with hindsight, a lot of these songs come from a feeling that something is deeply wrong.”. <

Any feelings of fear and loathing are not immediately evident largely because of the gentle, intimacy of his voice and the gorgeousness of the melodies. For instance, I'd challenge anyone to guess that the beautifully tender Vanishing Class was inspired by "imagining the alienation of people in the run up to the US election.”

In other tunes he reflects on the passing years in philosophical fashion. On Manzanita any existential dread is tempered by a general acceptance of ageing - "I love the way that we grow old"- while Thick Skin equates ageing with growing more resilient.

Will Stratton will not satisfy those whose taste is for superficial feel good music but if you are looking for something deeper and more thoughtful then he's your man.

Will Stratton on Bandcamp
  author: Martin Raybould

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STRATTON, WILL - Rosewood Almanac