Willy Porter
The Trees Have Soul

(Don't)

The Music Box's #4 album of 1997

First Appeared in The Music Box, November 1997, Volume 4, #12

Also Appeared in The Music Box, February 1998, Volume 5, #2

Written by John Metzger

Though this is a re-release of Willy Porter's debut for Don't Records, this album was not available nationally until early 1997. You still may have to search for it, but it's worth seeking out.

While The Trees Have Soul is not as polished as Dog-Eared Dream, it offers more of an insight to Porter's live performances. Porter is a talented songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist, and this release allows him to fully display all of his abilities.

The two-part Zak's Tale allows Porter's guitar playing to speak for itself. This pair of songs brings to mind the instrumentals of Jorma Kaukonen and Michael Hedges, as does the wonderful title track, which is my favorite on the album. This song combines the best elements of the disc into one fantastic song that will take you on quite a spiritual and emotional journey.

Porter can play in just about any style, and on this album he mixes things up quite well. Fullerton Express and Moonbeam are upbeat, rhythmic grooves, while Reach (which was added to the re-release) features tender vocals. Porter's voice may be the sweetest since David Crosby, and the closing Southwind is the closest I've ever heard anyone come to sounding like Crosby.

Porter has a live album due this Spring that is sure to blow your mind. In addition, Porter has an excellent new batch of songs that will hopefully make their way onto an album in the near future.

The Trees Have Soul is available from Barnes & Noble.
To order, Click Here!

Ratings

1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 1997, 1998 The Music Box