Willie Wright
Telling The Truth
Numero Group
3.5 out of 5 stars
I hate to gush over a particular label’s releases over and over, but once again Numero Group has put out a splendid album.
The boutique label that has literally set a new standard for its boxed sets, shows with Willie Wright’s Telling the Truth, that it can easily handle single-disc releases with as much care as they put into their sets.
This particular one is an inspiring collection of music that was recorded more than 35 years ago, by an artist that, if the world were just, we would all know.
In 1976, the Harlem born musician Willie Wright was trapped on Nantucket Island for the winter and during that time he filled a loose leaf notebook with songs, that he tracked, all in one day, the following spring in New York.
Wright sold the folk album out of the trunk of his car and from a handful of stages, and soon the humble piece disappeared into the collections and garages of Nantucket tourists. Numero has not only dusted this off, but released Telling The Truth as an expanded edition. The deluxe LP version also includes a replica 7” of Wright’s cover of Curtis Mayfield’s “Right On For The Darkness.
— Brian F. Johnson
1 Comment
Hi,
You may be interested to know that Willie Wright, whose 1978 classic LP “Telling the Truth” was released by Chicago re-issue label Numero Group last year, http://www.numerogroup.com/catalog_detail.php?uid=01222
has made a completely new album. He got together with some lifelong friends and musical collaborators in Burlington, Vermont and recorded 9 new songs. He is now 73, coping with Parkinson’s, but can still make arrestingly beautiful music with thoughtful lyrics. Willie’s new record (released on Green Coil Records on April 24, 2012) is called
“This is not a Dream” and it’s wonderful – His voice is fragile, but focused and powerful. The material is all new originals penned, arranged and played by Willie, who has switched to keyboard as his main instrument.
Here is a link to his MySpace page where you can hear all the tunes: http://www.myspace.com/willie_wright
Here’s his web site http://www.williewrightmusic.com where you can buy it, (shipping to UK and worldwide at no extra cost).
Given that he is not able to gig or tour in support of the album, we are depending on reviews and word or mouth to promote it – please give a listen and let us know what you think!
Thank you
Bob Green
Green Coil Records http://www.greencoilrecords.com