In the days of streaming and having thousands of songs on your cell phone, I still cling to two hard copy CDs that I keep in my car and spin constantly when on a drive around the hillsides and valleys here in my home town. One of those is Joe K. Walsh’s “Borderlands”. Joe returns with a brand new record of original tunes called “If Not Now, Who?” (released on January 6th).

We are inundated on a daily basis with messages of “buy this” and “listen to this”. There is an unending swamp of content to wade through to find a sturdy rock to support you and hold you up. In the murky mess of this modern age bog of bombardment, this record shines.

Walsh’s latest is a radiant reprieve of light and melancholia and beautifully engaging moments that wash over you in a warm cascade. Simply put, he is one of the most brilliant instrumentalists and musicians of our time. Understated in the moments where needed, tasteful, refined, but a virtuoso who few others equal.

What is perhaps the most striking about the collection is how well it runs the gamut of emotion. Kicking off with the curious, yet buoyant tune “Madison”. There is the build of anticipation between the banjo, light bow of the fiddle and entrance of the mandolin. It puts the heart of what I have come to love about Joe. The purpose and safety of a solid melody, but the allowance of space and improvisation and exploration. Walsh continuously allowing the players around him to shine and find their own groove, while maintaining a coherence that is exciting and elicits fluttering hearts when a fiddle line soars into the landscape or a particular Grant Gordy guitar run develops an image of smiling faces in the studio in your mind.

The record then meanders into slightly more subdued territory with “When It’s Over”. With the slower pace and even keeled nature that never gets ahead of itself, but still manages to maintain this overwhelming sense of intensity. The resolution of each refrain exemplifying this indescribable feeling of comfort and nostaglia for me. The kind of arrangement that elicits both tears and wide smiles. It is uncanny.

Delving into a more experimental bluesy jazz influence in “The Bills”…something that one may call “getting weird and out there”, a cowrite with Andrew Marlin, there is a feeling of “what’s around the next corner” painted over the skeleton of a familiar waltz. A prime example of Walsh paying homage to his roots and heroes while imparting his own special imprint on the tune.

 

“Tom” is a beautiful and heartfelt composition that resolves in a melody that, even after one listen, feels like a classic. Perhaps that in some way is the true mark of a brilliant composer, their innate ability to create something new that feels comfortable and familiar. Allowing you to sink deeper and deeper into the music and get lost in it.

The record ventures into all aspects of Joe’s career and path as a musician. There is a true experience and exploration here and as the first recorded collection of all original compositions it radiates. The type of album that can be listened to in any context, but truly deserves a sit down with the lights low and full attention. 

The whole of this record’s parts very much feeling like a maturing and sought after pinnacle for a musician and songwriter. Creation and forming into an amalgam of an artist’s journey over time. One concrete, but sonically diverse experience. A pure musical triumph.

 

 “If Not Now, Who?” was just released on Jan 6th on Adhyaropa Records. Head to http://joekwalsh.com/ for more info or  https://joewalsh.bandcamp.com/album/if-not-now-who to buy it today.