Customer Reviews

Available Light

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're a fan of Willy Porter - and who isn't?! - you'll recognize his abilities and soul poured into each track on this album. He's taken a slight departure from his previous releases in that there is an overall sense of melancholy and three instrumentals. The feel of the album is understood, given the loss of his father during the recording and clearly it's Willy's way of expressing his feelings of the situation, notably with "Me and MY Old Man". The last track, "Where are my keys?", is a first for Willy by going a little techno with a drum machine and synth, almost a pop/dance track. The childhood recollection "Loose Gravel" FINALLY makes an appearance on a studio album, and "Sleepy Little" recalls Willy's earlier work with a style reminiscent of one of my first CD's, "Windham Hill Records Guitar Sampler" from the 80's. "Hairball" has a great Leo Kottke feel - the only `bad' part of that song is its less then 2 minutes. I'm sure it could easily become another long jam like "Roadbone" when he's on stage. "One More September" took me a while to realize that it's about 9/11, well after my eyes were welling up. Thanks Willy, you've done it again. See you at the next show!

Willy Porter is best experienced at one of his live performances but, as far as studio recordings go, this a beauty!! I have all of his CD releases to date, and it appears to be a cohesive "band" vibe happening here, just by the sound and production quality alone. But, don't be mistaken, the songs are as usual, first-class!! Bravo, Willy. See ya on stage.

I heard Willie Porter's song, "Available Light" on the tv show Dog, the Bounty Hunter and it immediately caught my attention. He has an unusual voice and writes his own material and has great musicians backing him. His ballads are beautiful but he also knows how to rock.

I'm a big fan of Willy's, but this is not my favorite album. I previously liked live performances of Available Light and Loose Gravel better, before they evolved into their album form. And I reach for fast forward every time Me & My Old Man comes on.

That being said, Willy is an amazing artist, and this is a necessary purchase for fans. He's just so good, and most of this album is quite enjoyable. But if you're looking to buy your first album, I would probably start with the self-titled record or High Wire Live.

Willy Porter, and I've followed him since he first performed "Seagull", is a Wisconsin treasure and one of the most gifted guitarists that I've ever seen live or heard on recorded medium. When people ask me what does he sound like, I always describe him as "not as boring as Hootie and the Blandfish, but not as intricate as Dave Matthews". Just excellent songwriting. Period.

The title track, "Available Light", takes you to a place like a nice morning with the rising sun takes you. You can almost see the imagery in your mind as the opening lyric about the flower "making the most of the available light". Dave Adler adds a funky groove and I do wish that Willy didn't have such tight control over his players and let them out of their shell a little, but hey, it's HIS album, not theirs. On the other hand, I wish he'd be a little more self-indulgent in concert to show off his guitar chops.

"Loose Gravel" - what a ride! "I got a dollar from my Dad..." and I'm going to the Tasty Freeze to get some ice cream... But the loose gravel on the road... watch out. Some songs are like a joke - funny the first time, but not again and again. With Willy's songs, his stories are moving but repetition doesn't kill them or make them unenjoyable.

There are three instrumentals on this song, a slight departure from Willy's past. "Sleepy Little" is a great duet between guitar and piano, "Hairball" is more of a traditional, picking style while "Have you Seen My Key's" took me totally by surprise, but in a good way.

Two other standout tunes are "Me and My Old Man" a somewhat autobiographical tribute to Willy's Father who recently passed away from cancer and "One More September", seemingly the same subject matter, but if you listen closely, you can take away your own meaning.

If he's ever in your town, go see him. Until then, buy his albums, sit back and enjoy. He's the classic example of an artist that is out there, getting lost in a sea of mediocrity.

I've waited a long time to review this album, because it is profound. Yes, it is immediately accessible on many levels, with Willy's typical instrumental virtuosity, sublime lyrics, and beautiful singing. But it has a much deeper level to it, too. I come away from it thinking, as other reviewers have noted, that it is different. I think the difference is primarily Willy's continuing to mature as a man and evolve as a musician. It is a wonderful addition to his canon.

Willy does it again. Once again Willy uses his amazing song writing wit and style and plays great music on another great cd. Anyone who knows Willy knows this will be a good one and if you don't, well give it a listen, you will not be disappointed. In person he is so fun and this cd is a great reflection of his in person performance. Fun and talented to the core, Willy is a great singer-songwriter.