In loving memory of our co-founder, Darren Beech (4/08/1967 to 25/03/2021)

BROOKS WILLIAMS & AARON CATLOW – Working In Wood (Red Guitar Blue Music RGBM 2601)

Working In WoodWorking In Wood is the fourth duo recording by Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow and finds them deeply immersed in the modern sound of Americana. Brooks plays acoustic guitar and Aaron plays fiddle; both sing and are supported by Jon Short on double bass. It sounds simple enough but this mixture of original songs and covers is anything but.

The opener, ‘Whatcha Gonna Do About It’, (neither the Small Faces nor the Sex Pistols’ song) sounds old but is modern and Brooks and Aaron give it that timeless feel that they bring to all their music. Similarly, they make Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s ‘Sleeping With The Dogs Tonight’ sound like a song from the depths of time – a brilliant song by the way – with Aaron’s loping fiddle providing decoration. Next is the first of the original compositions, ‘Tornado Smith’, telling the story of the first wall of death rider who rode Southend’s Kursaal attraction beginning back in 1929. How Brooks and Aaron found the story and turned it into a song isn’t explained here.

My favourite track is probably ‘London Road’, which originally appeared on a Brooks Williams solo album a couple of years ago. It’s the kind of song that takes you to a place and leaves you there to explore. ‘The Ballad Of Hendrix The Cat’ is the record’s only instrumental, giving Aaron the opportunity to show off.

I really don’t want to over-analyse Working In Wood. It’s a record I just want to play and enjoy. I can appreciate the musical energy and skill that Brooks and Aaron bring to the album; admire their original compositions and applaud their choice of covers right down to the closing traditional ‘Hesitation Blues’. “How long do I have to wait?” they sing. Not long, chaps.

Dai Jeffries

Artists’ website: www.brookswilliams.com

‘Deep River Blues’ – live:

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