Search - David Wilcox :: Open Hand

He still writes great songs but the production on this one l

Steven I. Ramm | Phila, PA USA | 04/16/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"He still writes great songs but the production on this one let me down.



I've always enjoyed Wilcox's music and recordings and when this CD arrived for review I anxiously put it on. But first I had to open the oddly formed packaging that encased the CD. (Environmentally friendly cardboard to be sure but it's like a Rubik's cube to open and close. )



So I put the Cd in my player and the first track - "Dream Again" came on. Perfect music, great vocals and what sounded like Wilcox's heartfelt lyrics. I though he had another winner here. I looked in the packaging to find the lyrics to re-read. Nope, none there. There is a line that sends you to a website where you can download them and print out. (with Wilcox, it's always been the "words" so it's a hassle to have to do this - and where do you store them with the CD?). There is lots of text inside the CD packaging but it is in a difficult to read font and type style so I never got through that.



But back to that track; it's GREAT! The disc came with a list of "Featured Tracks" noted. This wasn't one of them. Why? Cut 2, "Red Eye" which is one of the three "featured tracks" may get some radio play but it's not unique. Then we come to the title track, "Open Hand". It's a song Wilcox wrote for a friend. In this case the lyrics ARE printed on the package but Wilcox, who obviously wrote the song, sings very different lyrics than those printed. Why? The production notes explain that the album was recorded via analog tape in California's Sonic Temple. I didn't notice this until I got to track 6 - "Modern World" (the third "featured track". The sound is so sparse that the drums sound like that are way in the back of a garage. Many of the subsequent tracks have this sound, which had me concentrating more on the sound than Wilcox's words, voice or guitar. Track 9 - "Captain Wanker" must be here to be "fun" but it really doesn't serve any purpose.



Finally we get to track 12 - "River Run Dry" - and we are back to another winning song with great lyrics- the kind Wilcox writes best.



Unless it is hidden under a label on the back of the package, I could not find a list of the accompanying musicians so I could single them out.



In summary, this album has one SUPER track - the first one - and one very good one (the last one). In between is an "experiment" that, in my opinion, was not needed. Too bad, as Wilcox can produce great music. Maybe next time, he'll go back to what he has done in the recent past. And... also include his well crafted lyrics in the package - in print we all can read.



Meanwhile buy the track "Dream Again" and consider it a David Wilcox "single".



Steve Ramm

"Anything Phonographic"

"

DW in top form

Eric A. Politzer | San Francisco | 07/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard most of these songs first in concert right about the time the CD came out. I think it helped to have DW's affectionate narration of the songs' origins and import ease me and others into the wonderful world of reflection, longing, and exploration that he unveils of this superbly crafted project. Every track harkens back to other songs that DW has written, but his voice has such relaxed confidence and effortless fullness that it is clear that he is at the top of his game. Highlights include Dream Again, Open Hand, Winter at the Shore, Beyond Belief, and the hysterically cheeky Captain Wanker. DW's wit, genius and warm heart fill this CD from beginning to end."