Josh Bray - Whisky and Wool

  by Lisa Torem

published: 19 / 2 / 2011

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Review

'Whisky and Wool' is British singer-songwriter Josh Bray’s remarkable debut album. Bray’s original plan was to be a human rights attorney in the US after finishing up law school, but, fortunately, friends encouraged him to remain in music. That said, his lyrics stand up as earnestly as any legal document meant to sway minds, ever could. Bray lists many influences; Nick Drake, Alice in Chains and Bob Dylan and, like those mentioned, he’s obsessed with crafting the perfect narrative. His guitar playing is gritty and deep and his voice gets more dedicated to his themes as the album progresses. ‘The River Song’ is a rich start and is followed by ‘Rise’ where Bray chants, “From your knees, do exactly what you please, turn on your heels/ Let your fate be revealed.” He reminds us that “there are days that roll on by” and this smattering of philosophy is just enough to satisfy us until another riff woos us further into his unpretentious world. Bray’s voice is earnest, honest and unfailing in spirit. ‘Bigger Than Both of Us’ is meditative and yearning. “Ain’t no water to wine,” he bruises. He magnifies our normal anxieties in a truthful way using that supple voice and crusty guitar to guide us. ‘This is Life’ is also full of matter-of-fact configurations: “You don’t need no sun ‘cause the days go whipping by.” This is stated after we hear, “You’re never going to get it if you keep on asking why.” ‘Hard Living’ continues his torrents: “Hard living takes a heavy toll.” Guy Prall, on electric guitar, Si Robinson, on bass and Ed Broad, on percussion, do a fine job of embellishing these distinctive lyrics. ‘The Finest Chance’ is choice. It is a whispered recollection of hurt made deeper by a searing harmonica interlude. When he sings, “finest chance of love isn’t coming home to them,” after detailing a doomed romance, we bask in his compassion. ‘Draw in the Lines’ finds Bray’s voice weaving in and out of violin lines as he adds ethereal blues-hinged phrases. “Love quickens up the heart and feeds the soul,” he surmises. In another love song, ‘The Sea and The Inbetween’ Bray states: “I was lost in your gaze, I came back to you for many days.” Indian Gin’ is a dirge of chords, rough as a sawed-off shotgun. “I’ve been down 21 years,” he cries. “You’ve never wondered, babe, why it is I’m here.” The embittered ‘Testify’ is cathartic icing on the bitterest of cakes. “It don’t mean a thing ‘cause I don’t need nothing. I felt love. I sure felt love’s pain.” “Whisky and Wool” is an intrepid slice of life.

Track Listing:-

1 The River Song
2 Rise
3 Bigger Than The Both Of Us
4 This Is The Life
5 Hard Living
6 The Finest Chance
7 Draw In The Lines
8 Living Free
9 The Sea And The Inbetween
10 Indian Gin
11 Testify