[FM] review of Bobby Watt's CD "Watt Next?"

Sat, 15 Jun 2002 22:10:48 -0700

Below is Dai Woosnam's review of Bobby Watt's CD "Watt Next?".

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                             A Review of the CD
                                "Watt Next?"
                               by Bobby Watt
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"Watt Next?"
by Bobby Watt

Copyright: Bobby Watt/SOCAN 2002 (MIN-WATT 0302)

http://www.rjwstonemasons.com
mailto:bobby@rjwstonemasons.com

This review is written by Dai Woosnam, daigress@hotmail.com, 6/02

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 Bogles 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 Dylans less-celebrated songs Tonight Ill Be Staying Here With
You.

But the real moment of magic, is his version of Robert Burnss Westlin
Winds. It alone is worth the price of the CD. It is unforgettable, and
here is for why.

Now, I dont 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 ones potential, and the third go sees one soar
off and defy gravity. Burnss 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.

Dai Woosnam
daigress@hotmail.com

Track List:

   * Factory girl (Ian Bell)  3.59
   * Hold me close (Bobby Watt/Holmes Hooke)  4.12
   * Lads of the fair (Brian McNeil)  3.35
   * Both sides the Tweed (Trad/James Hogg/Dick Gaughan)  4.15
   * Youd never sing the blues (Watt/Hooke)  3.53
   * I once loved a lass (Trad)  4.27
   * A mans a man (Robert Burns)  3.14
   * Desperado (Henley/Frey)  3.14
   * Father Mallory (Jez Lowe)  3.05
   * Westlin winds (Robert Burns)  2.44
   * Tonight Ill be staying here with you (Bob Dylan)  4.40
   * Paddy Donovan/Donald McLeans farewell to Oban (Duthart/Watt/Hooke)
     (Archie MacNeill)  5.37
   * Remembrance Day/Flowers of the forest (Hooke/Watt) (Trad)  6.16
   * The Inverary Inn (Trad) - 1.41

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================================================
Kevin McCarthy
mailto:celtic-folk@surfnetusa.com
Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews
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