Will Scott: Journal

"Gnawbone" (the title track on my recent album) made semi-finalist at the renowned  International Songwriting Competition. Judges included Tom Waits, James Cotton, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Mayall, Loretta Lynn, and many other legendary artists. The NY Times calls their judges panel "the most impressive group of judges... in any songwriting competition." Quite an honor.

Will Scott's recent album, GNAWBONE, has been nominated for an Independent Music Award. It is one of five finalists for Blues Album of The Year. Judges include Tom Waits, The Black Keys, Charlie Musselwhite and many other greats. In addition to the judges' selection, there will be a Vox Populi award based on fan votes. Please stop by and VOTE HERE.

 

I am pleased to announce that I have just joined the roster of Charisma Artist Agency (www.charismaartist.com). They will now be handling all of my performance booking, and handling some of the promotion for the foreseeable future. They're a great company with a focus on Americana, World, Roots, Bluegrass, Indie, Rockabilly, Swing, Avant Garde and Jazz.

Other Charisma artists include Luminescent Orchestrii, The Asylum Street Spankers, The Wiyos, and Two Man Gentlemen Band. The Wiyos and Two Man Gentlemen Band recently opened a number of dates for Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp.

Will Scott “Gnawbone” (Weather-Tone Records, 2009)

Brooklyn resident Will Scott’s debut studio solo recording draws on southern rock, blues and music akin to Jim Morrison of the Doors even, as he embraces everything that is good in Americana music

Indianapolis and Chicago-raised Scott has previous recording experience having made an album with the Forecasters (1998), and his own self-made Solo Electric Blues (2002). 'Gnawbone' see-saws from one style and tempo to another quicker than a blink of the eye as Scott and producer Christopher ‘Preacher Boy’ Watkins (guitars, keys, piano, mandolin and additional percussion) who between them wrote all the songs but for ‘Louisiana Lullaby’ toss ideas and musical directions around freely.

‘Louisiana Lullaby’ is a heart-tugging affair that underlines his strength as a performer, songwriter and his inbuilt ability to hold the attention of the listener through lyrics that tell a good story. On getting rowdy and funky ‘Paper Match’ gate crashes the party in chaotic fashion, and as for my reference to the Morrison I think if he were alive he would have relished the opportunity to perform the thrilling ballad ‘Jack’s Defeat Creek’ (hints of Harry Chapin’s ‘Cat’s In The Cradle’) and fabulous rock cut ‘Make Her Love Me’. Possessing a hard driven groove supporting his full-bodied bluesy vocals it is arguably Scott’s best entry — that isn’t to rule out the superb, slide-guitar fashioned Mississippi hill country styled ‘Gnawbone’. That just about blows everything else out of the water! Such being the surging groove and powerful rhythm as his songwriting takes the listener on a roller coaster ride through the American south, bouncing along the back roads that stops off at roadside taverns for human refuelling.

After the three five-star opening tracks the competition to match is not of the same strength till ‘Stain Shifter’ and the swirling keyboards aided shuffle ‘Sarah’. That, on possessing a strong gospel harmony chorus Scott regains a strangle hold on things. But, just hold on there a minute because after repeated plays the well titled ‘Lazy Summertime’ is making up lost ground, fast — as his mellow side rears in an impressive manner. ‘Amen Corner’ the closing track leaves the listener on a high and no doubt hankering to sample more of one of the most impressive new act of his kind to come along in quite some time.

Support to Scott and Watkins comes from the fine musicians Joe Magistro (drums), Jim Whitney (drums), Harvey ‘Slippery’ Jenkins (banjo) plus harmony vocalists Jolie Holland, Samantha Parton (Be Good Tanyas) and Jan Bell (The Maybelles).

Date review added: Friday, November 06, 2009
Reviewer: Maurice Hope

Many thanks to Kyle M. Palarino and FolkWax for this lovely review of Gnawbone. I have been an avid reader of FolkWax for years. I'm truly honored.

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Take a Bite on the Gnawbone, (10/21/09)
The Indiana born, Brooklyn, New York-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Will Scott has released a new album produced by musician/ poet Preacher Boy. In fact, the album seems to be quite a collaboration between the two. Preacher Boy also adds guitars, piano, mandolin, and percussion to the project. There are guest appearances by Jolie Holland (Anti-Records), Samantha Parton (The Be Good Tanyas), and Jan Bell (The Maybelles).

There are several influences on the album. You hear the sounds of the Native American singer Bill Miller, Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, George Jones, Charlie Rich, Steve Earle, The Band, and Fats Domino. Gnawbone is a true Americana album with all of the early sounds of country, folk, rock and roll, and then there are modern twists to keep you on your toes.

Roots rock permeates the air on "Jack's Defeat Creek," "Gnawbone," and "Sarah." Bring out an African drum beat for the "Stain Lifter." The finger picking on the guitar is pretty while the lonely vocals sing of the stains of his soul. The laid back "Lazy Summer" sounds like Sid Selvidge's southern sweetness. "Make Her Love Me" and "Paper Match" both have slick production with some studio tricks to start the songs off. Those little touches add a modernism to the album that brings it to a new era. The ghost of Charlie Rich haunts the "Louisiana Lullaby." This song reminds me of Rich's '70s songs. A somber tone closes the album with "Amen Corner." The church organ and Jolie Holland's box fiddle eerily get the song off before Scott's vocals. This song is a great song for that late middle of the night drive. You could almost see the headlights gleam on the painted yellow lines as Will sings about the journey of life.

Gnawbone is a low key album. You really need to put the headphones on to really appreciate the dark and desolate land that Scott paints on his easel. From open to close, this is an experience to take you through many thoughts and reflections you just need to hear at the right time. Some songs are as raucous as teenagers finding themselves, while others are a meditative middle aged man looking back at a broken life. The lyrics are poetically strung together and sung with a sharp passion or soft gentleness, whichever the moment calls for.

The instrumentation keeps each song a little different from the last. An organ might highlight one track, while the mandolin might set a tone on another. The guitar playing is never too loud on any number. Each mix on this album is to emphasize the song, not the individual instruments, making it a gorgeously built album.

This album should get some serious listens. Scott sings with heartfelt and honest emotion. Some songs have a gruff gritty attitude, but I think however Scott does it is his way. Chew on Gnawbone for awhile. It won't go stale.

Kyle M. Palarino is a contributing editor at BluesWax. You may contact Kyle at blueswax@visnat.com.
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http://www.bluesmagazine.nl/will-scott-gnawbone-cd-recensie
(Translation by Google)

Will Scott grew up in Indianapolis, and was always surrounded by the sounds of the Blues, Jazz and traditional Country music, since there are quite a few family lines with something, his first project was listed as "Too Damm Cold" together with the Forecasters , then we go back in 1998 then led to critical acclaim. In 2002 followed the introduction in the New York Scene.

In the summer of 2009 will see this album Gnawbone than the light, which is launched by producer Preacher Boy, who had already produced several things for Blind Pig Records, but also for Eagle Eyed Cherry, so really not a small boy I think.
Furthermore, this man came also with blues legend Sam Myers and Will now lives in Brooklyn at the moment and enter government with a large measure on these days, and provides blazing revieuws as he gives performances.

The man writes his own songs very good, and his voice sounds very strong, with a lot of Soul and Blues there. Think in this context a bit later Johnny Cash, but also Tom Waits while also influences rock ala Tom Petty in it, what ensures that this album is home to much variation. Including special contributions of Jolie Holland and more magistro Joe-Drums, Jim Whitney, bass and piano-guitar-Preacher Boy and more.

Will our course introduces his hefitge guitar picks and bluesey our throats by the Swamps and the Hell of the earth, which makes for a very impressive drive in my opinion. It is not Persee a blues album but very worthwhile. The tracks then: Occasionally Tom Petty things but Daniel Lanois, who also Bluesey many elements in his music mixes.

Opener "Jack's Defeat Creek" is reminiscent of Nick Cave, Johnny Cash, but also the style of Tom Petty and Patti Smith, The title track "Gnawbone" is a gritty Delta song, which you the voice of our friend at best one can hear , "Make her Love me" a pop song with a decent feel Jazzy Blues, a wonderful song in the form of a "ballad ala Jim Crocey," a sort of Country Blues "Country Soil, Louisiana Lullaby, a beauty with lines that do Again think of Johnny Cash but also The Band, beautiful vocals and a simple accompaniment, Blues again in "Mother may I?", with a touch Randy Newman, Dan "Dark and ominous," "Long Time Since" just wonderful, and let the accents of the keys and bass, and voice Oei so beautiful.

Thus do many styles with each other in a very surprising variable drive, which is a nice ballad keystone late flourish "Amen Corner". The total does not surprise me that this man is now quite familiar, and I am glad that I also belong to that group and now I can verrrijken with a remarkable drive of a remarkable artist, who knows what good writing in songs like, and she gives great shape, Just Class!
(Frank van Engelen)

Just found out that my new album, GNAWBONE, is the #1 top-selling album on CDBaby in the Juke Joint Blues genre and #2 on their Americana chart. It's sweeping the charts for all of the genres in which it is listed.

GNAWBONE also received an Editors Pick from CDBaby under Juke Joint Blues and is the #1 seller in its "Mood" category.

http://www.cdbaby.com/Style/283
http://www.cdbaby.com/Top/106
http://www.cdbaby.com/willscott2 (for the album)

http://www.americanaroots.com/2009/07/29/reviews/music/one-you-need-to-check-outwill-scott-gnawbone/
ONE YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT…WILL SCOTT - GNAWBONE

July 29, 2009 by John Walker

One of the many reasons I wanted to write for Americana Roots was to spread the word on music I thought deserved more praise and recognition. There is so much great music out there that many of us unfortunately never get a chance to hear and enjoy. I recently received one of these true gems, and felt compelled to tell others right away.

Will Scott’s debut release titled “Gnawbone” will catch your attention immediately with its hard driving soulful depth. The mixture of classic rock, blues, and even folk, permeate through to deliver a tantalizing CD. Drawing from a variety of musical influences such as Junior Kimbrough, Tony Joe White, Townes Van Zandt, and Tom Petty among others, Scott has the unique ability to deliver a song vocally with the soul and passion that drives a song home. His vocal presence is astounding.will-scott

Scott additionally writes or co-writes all 12 songs on the CD along with producer Christopher “Preacher Boy” Watkins, with the exception of “Amen Corner,” which was also co-written by Christian Gibbs. Preacher Boy also fills in admirably on several other instruments throughout the record. There is a great supporting cast here as well including background vocals by Jan Bell (The Maybelles), Jolie Holland, and Samantha Parton (The Be Good Tanyas), Joe Magistro does a great job on drums, Jim Whitney provides a thundering rhythm on bass, and Harvey “Slippery” Jenkins on banjo.

The CD opens with two songs that display his close ties to the state of Indiana, where he spent his youth growing up. “Jack’s Defeat Creek” has almost a Doors feel to it, with the supporting mesmerizing keyboard of Preacher Boy. I defy you to not begin tapping your toes in rhythm immediately…and when Scott’s deep vocals kick in it truly hits you squarely. The title cut, “Gnawbone,” opens with a primal drum beat and bass, which cascades into a driving song that will keep you moving.

“Jack’s Defeat Creek takes its name from a very small town in southern Indiana,” states Scott. “It is based loosely on one of the folk legends of how the town got its name. As the story goes, the two lovers get separated by the flooded creek. I always liked old stories such as that, and decided to write a song about it.”

Scott continued to tell me about the title cut. “Gnawbone was inspired by a dream I had of my paternal grandfather in a pumpkin patch in a small town called Normal, Indiana. As the song came together, Preacher Boy and I changed the route a bit to Gnawbone. You have got to love the grit of a town called that.”

Additional highlights here include the funky “Make Her Love Me,” the melodic “Lazy Summertime” and “Louisiana Lullaby,” which allow Scott’s vocals to roll freely, “Mother May I,” where Scott conjures great memories of Stevie Ray Vaughn, and “Stain Lifter,” that certainly has the feel of Townes and Junior Kimbrough.

Scott is already busy working on a follow up to his initial release. “I just returned from a 3 week tour of the UK, including a great gig at The Glastonbury Festival. I am getting ready to leave for the west coast for a short 2 week tour, and then head back home to New York for a release event hopefully in August. I have been busy continuing to write as well as promote this release. So, all is going very well.”

It is music such as this that I truly enjoy. You can instantly hear the depth and passion within the music, plus the amazing vocals don’t hurt either. Do yourself a favor, and check Will out….and then let me know what you think. You can thank me later.

(http://southernbrand.com/music/)

Music: Will Scott - Gnawbone

Solid, heavy, trance-like rhythms bubblin' up from a cool Mississippi hill country spring with just a sweet bit of twang. A timeless, layered voice somewhere between our patron saint, The Swamp Fox, Tony Joe White and the great Gordon Lightfoot after a three-day whiskey bender. He's a soulful and gifted songwriter with a sound thick as Tupelo honey. This album knocked us out. We got the title track on eleven here at Southern Brand, shakin' the shingles. Check him out here. Buy this man's music. Catch him live.

Gnawbone Reviewed in Lucid Culture
The new album, Gnawbone, receives its first full review from the mighty Alan Young in Lucid Culture. Thanks, Lucid Culture!

http://lucidculture.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/cd-review-will-scott-gnawbone/
CD Review: Will Scott – Gnawbone
July 7, 2009 · Leave a Comment
This is a roughhewn, somewhat menacing album. Vocally, Will Scott is a casual, soulful presence. He’s got a big voice that fills the space here comfortably – he knows he doesn’t have to work too hard to make his point, and he doesn’t. Likewise, his guitar playing is terse, with a bite. Scott comes out of the Mississippi hill country school of blues playing, continuing the tradition that Junior Kimbrough, T-Model Ford and R.L. Burnside kept alive for so long. It’s a literally mesmerizing style, with long, improvisational songs that go on for minutes on end, frequently without a single chord change. Scott puts his own individual stamp on it, along with several considerably successful ventures into country. Christopher “Preacher Boy” Watkins’ production is marvelously oldschool, vocals up front, guitars and then the rest of the band a little further back in the mix like an old vinyl record. With sparse, tasteful cameos from the Be Good Tanyas’ Samantha Parton, Jolie Holland and Jan Bell along with Preacher Boy on a multitude of instruments, this was made for late-night listening.

The cd opens with the growling psychedelic Americana of Jack’s Defeat Creek, a murky, genre-blending success. The title track, a sarcastic chronicle about several big bullshitters bears Scott’s signature hill country stamp: it could go on for twice as long as it does and that wouldn’t hurt a bit. Make Her Love Me layers acoustic and electric guitars eerily in the background, with a wild, noisy, all-too-brief noise guitar solo making a particularly imaginative crescendo.

Lazy Summertime blends slow swinging 70s style outlaw country with a more rustic Tom Waits vibe. Country Soil reverts to hypnotic blues, like Wayfaring Stranger as Country Joe & the Fish might have done it if they’d been able to handle their drugs a little better With its subtle gospel inflections, Louisiana Lullaby would be perfectly at home on a vintage Waylon Jennings lp.The defiant Paper Match has some neatly intricate bluegrass-inflected twelve string work coming out of the chorus along with some fluidly potent upright bass from Jim Whitney. Of the rest of the tracks, there’s a swing blues, a fast Waits-ish number, a dark, rustic spiritual and the absolutely fascinating Long Time Since, almost a dub reggae production with its haunting and hypnotic repeater-box guitar popping in and out of the mix as the rhythm section careens along. If there’s anything to criticize here, it’s that like so many other studio albums by bluesmen, it would be awfully nice to hear [fill in the blank: B.B. King, Albert Collins...Will Scott] get a chance to cut loose more here – Scott plays a mean solo. Maybe next time. In the meantime, this will help put him on the map. He just got back from UK tour, back to his more-or-less weekly Wednesday 8:30 PM gig at 68 Jay St. Bar, something you ought to see if Americana is your thing.