WPA (Works Progress Administration) consists of some of the most accomplished and legendary musicians in today s American music scene. Founding members Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek), an... more »d Luke Bulla (Jerry Douglas Band, Ricky Skaggs, Lyle Lovett) have teamed up with Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Beck), Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Randy Newman), and Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Cracker), and long-time acclaimed producer Jim Scott (Wilco, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Rolling Stones). Once they entered Scott s studio, the group was able to collaborate and record 17 songs live in only five days.
In an era where the expectation of a supergroup is something conceived by business executives, this band came out of an authentic and vibrant musical community, and the result is a beautiful reflection of its origins. WPA was born out of the musical community surrounding the legendary LA club, Largo. The eight members of the band had known and admired each other for years, and found themselves with a strong batch of unrecorded songs, a little down time, and a collective feeling that it might be a good idea to put something on tape.
The instant classic Always Have My Love , penned and sung by Glen Phillips, starts the album with a powerful dose of dual fiddles, pedal steel and piano, revealing the band s palette from the first bar. The album continues with five more Phillips songs, plaintive and introspective tunes from Sean Watkins ( Not Sure , Paralyzed and You re Already Gone ), commanding vocals performed by Luke Bulla on Who s Gonna Cry For You and Remember Well , and the haunting voice of Sara Watkins on Benmont Tench s The Price and the Ray Davies classic I Go To Sleep . Despite having four lead singers and a high level of instrumental prowess the band keeps its focus in service to the song, and creates a sound that is both timeless and unique.« less
WPA (Works Progress Administration) consists of some of the most accomplished and legendary musicians in today s American music scene. Founding members Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek), and Luke Bulla (Jerry Douglas Band, Ricky Skaggs, Lyle Lovett) have teamed up with Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Beck), Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Randy Newman), and Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Cracker), and long-time acclaimed producer Jim Scott (Wilco, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Rolling Stones). Once they entered Scott s studio, the group was able to collaborate and record 17 songs live in only five days.
In an era where the expectation of a supergroup is something conceived by business executives, this band came out of an authentic and vibrant musical community, and the result is a beautiful reflection of its origins. WPA was born out of the musical community surrounding the legendary LA club, Largo. The eight members of the band had known and admired each other for years, and found themselves with a strong batch of unrecorded songs, a little down time, and a collective feeling that it might be a good idea to put something on tape.
The instant classic Always Have My Love , penned and sung by Glen Phillips, starts the album with a powerful dose of dual fiddles, pedal steel and piano, revealing the band s palette from the first bar. The album continues with five more Phillips songs, plaintive and introspective tunes from Sean Watkins ( Not Sure , Paralyzed and You re Already Gone ), commanding vocals performed by Luke Bulla on Who s Gonna Cry For You and Remember Well , and the haunting voice of Sara Watkins on Benmont Tench s The Price and the Ray Davies classic I Go To Sleep . Despite having four lead singers and a high level of instrumental prowess the band keeps its focus in service to the song, and creates a sound that is both timeless and unique.
"The songwriting and musicianship alone puts this up there as one of the best albums of 2009. And the fact that this group was able to get together and put this ablum out deserves many accolades. Maybe I'm biased, but this collection of 12 masterful songs is Grammy-worthy. I've been a fan of Glen Phillips for over 15 years and his songwriting has only gotten better.
This album can not be classified as pop, rock, country, bluegrass, or folk because it's all of these. I would just call it great American music! I will warn you that this is a rather "dark" album - many songs about love and loss (and one about slavery). "Remember Well" and "Cry for You" are haunting while one song, "A Wedding or a Wake" is lighthearted and fun, but still potentally depressing - I love that about this album. You HAVE to pay attention to the lyrics on this record!
I am surprised that I don't find Glen's vocals on some of my favorite songs, but "Not Sure" (my favorite) would not work without Sean's vocals. Sean has another moment of greatness with the upbeat "Already Gone". Sara's closing number "The Price" is breathtaking, and on the other end, "Always Have My Love", starts the album off with a bang. I am not dissapointed with any song on this record."
How an old Rocker keeps an open mind...
James B. Connors | 11/09/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have been buying music back to the days when Keith Moon was alive. I have heard so many trends in music that things are beginning to return. Now having said that I know that becoming jaded is an easy thing. So when I heard that Glen Phillips was teaming up with the members of Nickle Creek I was going to hear a Bluegrass kind of thing. Was I ready for this now in an age of American Idol mediocrity? It turns out I was starved for it. Give this cd a listen. With the help of some muscian's musicains the Watkins Phillips and co have turned out a fine album of genuine music that Taylor Swift and rest of the country pop idols would do well to listen to. And go see them live I was fortunate to see them live and they were inspiring."
One of the best of the year
J. Jacobs | Jacksonville, FL USA | 11/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Very glad to see this beautiful album on the Best of the Year list! It is a remarkable collection of music. The songwriting is consistently meaningful and touching. I especially enjoyed the two vocals by Luke Bulla. Everything, the instruments, harmonies, lyrics, all work so well together. Hope there are more like this on the way. Great packaging too!!!"
Trust Me
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 12/22/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Works Progress Administration is an excellent project. As one of the fans of Glen Phillips' solo career, this is a must-have disc. Glen's front and center on "Always My Love," a sentimental melody with a lyrical edge, "I've no interest in perfection, just want some honesty; Our little indiscretions just spill in the sea, I would think we were different when everybody knows it's nothing new; so someone might have spent the night beside you, but he can't love you like I do.*" Phillips follows with "Good As Ever," a strong midtempo track, "Razor blades & tiny cuts & milk of kindness..." "Rise Up" has Phillips on lead vocals again with a haunting soft melody. Sean Watkins takes the lead on "Paralyzed" that sounds like an amusement park calliope song for country punks. "End This Now" burns in a slow groove of romantic regret with Glen's vocals passionate and aching, "I could end this now; I could leave you cold; I could break your heart with a single blow; I know your softest part; You shouldn't trust me so." Sean takes the lead on the chugging rhythm & catchy melody of "Already Gone" with Benmont Tench's tasty piano flavoring the mix. WPA has Sara Watkins on lead vocals on "I Go to Sleep" that the Kinks did in 1965 on Kinda Kinks and has covers by artists as diverse as Cher, Peggy Lee & The Pretenders. WPA works a hoedown arrangement on "A Wedding or a Wake." The CD concludes with a Benmont Tench-penned tune with Sara on lead vocals on the weeper "The Price." "Works Progress Administration" is an excellent disc. Enjoy!
[*Note: Lyrics according to my ear!]"
Great live band; great recording!
D. Guinther | Madison, WI | 12/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just saw WPA play in Madison, WI, on December 3rd. They are an absolutely great live band. A talented, cohesive, good-natured group of musicians enjoying the opportunity to hit the road and share their music. I was unsure how well such a great live act would translate to a studio recording, but I am very happy with this CD. I highly recommend picking it up, and if they are playing at a venue close to you: check them out. You will be glad you did."