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Artist: Darrell Scott
Label: Full Light Records
Length; 12 tracks – 50:17
This recording serves as a testament to the varied talents and vision of Darrell Scott. He is a multi-instrumentalist who manages to play the following array of musical devices throughout this disc – acoustic & electric guitars, accordion, mandolin, weissenborn slide, keyboard, bass, lap steel guitar, banjolin, pedal steel guitar, organ and bouzouki. On top of that, he wrote ten of the songs and co-wrote another, sings all of the lead vocals and produced the recording that is on a label Scott formed for the expressed purpose of releasing his material. With so many fingers in the pie, this could easily be nothing more than a Darrell Scott vanity product.
One listen to these tracks quickly confirms that Scott has plenty on his mind and is eager to share his questions about life and faith through his music. His lyrics show him to be keen observer mysteries of existence. On “I’m Nobody” Scott proudly proclaims “ … Got a head full of nothing, I’m as wishy-washy as the deep blue sea…” but goes on to add that we’re all nobodies with no way of knowing we are “. nobodies just like me.” He starts “Goodle, USA” by stating several thought-provoking questions - “What if no one would kill for their religion? What if armies had a bake sale for their war?”
Scott repeatedly uses humor to deflect some of weight of his musings that dissect the human experience, laying out a litany of tales of troubled souls ill-prepared to deal with monumental task of surviving. He sums it up stating that living is a lot like flying, you either ”Do It Or Die Trying”. One theme that appears throughout the disc is that of man as a Dreamer, which is the title of a track that updates the English folk tradition while spinning a modern tale of true love unable to hold up under the pressure of separation. The title song reflects on the plight of a man who has seemingly lived his life without making a mark of his own.
Scott proves to be adept at weaving a musical tapestry that draws your attention to his lyrics with first-rate arrangements. Most tracks would be considered Rock. Scott the Producer keeps your interest with deft use the varied instrumental array at his disposal. Help comes from the likes of Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, John Cowan and Andrea Zonn. Even Scott, as good as he is, resists the temptation to showcase his instrumental prowess with lengthy solos. Instead, he sprinkles touches of country and gospel throughout the selections in unexpected ways to maintain your interest.
The closing track, “In My Final Hour”, finds Scott reflecting on what it will be like when his time comes to pass from this life. He is still expressing misgivings about what is important, commenting “… I really thought I’d need to be forgiven. Now I find there’s really no such thing.” But in the end, Scott imagines that his eyes will be filled with joy. It is a fine summation for this disc, which offers a challenging and often witty examination of human frailty through the probing vision of Darrell Scott.
Mark Thompson 9/7/2006