Wellington's Darren Watson has unplugged for his sixth solo album after a barnstorming career with Chicago Smokeshop.
And the approach delivers, creating an inspired opportunity for subtle inter-plays, notably between Darren Watson's guitar and Terry Casey's brilliance on the harmonica. Watson varies his approach from a swagger to Robert-Johnsonesque slide.
The record is lyrically strong, Darren Watson displaying a philosophical bent on Hallelujah (Rich Man's War) and Past Tense.
Watson penned all the tracks except for Bill Lake's Too Many Millionaires.
There are no weak songs and my own favourite is Pilgrim, with its note perfect slide playing. Watson apparently rates it as his best album. He is touring in May.
- Tony Nielsen
