Winter Wilson – The Passing of the Storm
Independent – Out Now
The Passing of the Storm is the tenth studio album from Winter Wilson, a set of twelve all-new songs that stand ready to cement their already enviable reputations both as performers and songwriters. That’s plural now as this album contains the first recorded album song from Kip Winter.
As with the vast majority of artists, the duo of Kip Winter and Dave Wilson were hit hard by the loss of opportunities for live performance during the pandemic. But, in one respect, they shouldered an extra burden. For them, over the last nine years, touring had become something of a lifestyle choice, living in their trusty VW Camper, at least for the duration of their UK and European tours. Being confined to the house wasn’t in their nature, but after a couple of weeks, they found a way to make the best of it. They launched their Live from the Lounge videos. A one-off experiment that turned in a sixty-week epic, each episode around an hour long. They alternated performances that trawled their back catalogue with ones that consisted entirely of covers. As they rose to the challenge of responding to requests, they ended up learning over 500 new songs and all this led to them being able to donate over £4000 to various charities, thanks to their worldwide network of supporters.
But even all this wasn’t sufficient to fill what they’ve termed the void in their lives. So the new songs were written then recorded, mixed and mastered by Dave in their home recording studio and are now ready for release. Even better, gigs are coming back into the diary, so the duo’s lifeblood is once more flowing as they play the new songs to live audiences.
The album opens with The Passing of the Storm, and we can all join with Kip and Dave in hoping the title proves to be an accurate prediction, but, as the last verse reminds us, it isn’t over yet. As we gently ease ourselves back towards leading a full life, the song reflects the mix of optimism and uncertainty felt by so many. There’s a passing, regretful nod to those we won’t see again and encouragement to continue all those instances of mutual support that have helped so many get through these strangest of times. With the song driven along by a simple drum beat, Kip takes the vocal lead but is soon joined by Dave, and the pair’s characteristic well-crafted harmonies kick in. Jangly guitars and Dave’s harmonica form the backbone of a powerful, country-tinged arrangement.
Although all the songs were written during the pandemic, only one other directly references it. The First to Fall is specifically dedicated to Dr Adil El Taya, the first NHS employee to die of Covid and gives thanks to the many others that followed. The lyrics are typical Dave, well-phrased and to the point, never quite tipping over into anger but also not hiding the underlying emotions generated by these tales of personal sacrifice. A simple guitar backing behind lyrics that come from the heart. While not directly linked to the pandemic, a third track, Black Crow, will surely resonate with many who found these last months stressful enough to tip them over into depression. It’s a downbeat song for sure but one that ultimately leaves a positive message, “For the battles we’ve had they have left me ready, they’ve built me up they’ve made me strong”. A beat, a bass and a banjo are all this song needs to help tell its tale.
There’s a lighter, maybe even cheery, side to the album as well. Jennifer’s Story tells a true tale of a woman who perceived a five-year jail sentence as probably the best thing that could have happened to her. Having suffered a life filled with abuse and exploitation, the prison becomes a place of safety. She’s determined to use the respite it gives her to not only build herself up but to convince as many others as she can that it is possible to break out of the cycle of use and abuse. Not entirely a cheery story, I admit, but the feelings of hope and resilience that shine through as Kip’s voice tells the tale, matched with a simple guitar accompaniment, can’t help but leave you feeling uplifted. The Angry Mother is Kip’s song, and she delivers it acapella, making it sound almost traditional, her voice giving it all the emotion the song needs. The story is very personal; the mother is her mother, and the anger is directed at Kip and her life choices. I’ll say no more; Kip needs to tell you her own story.
Families also figure in a couple of other songs. In I’ll Wish You Good Morning; it’s Dave’s turn with a song prompted by his efforts to keep in touch with his children in the UK when Winter Wilson were touring Australia. The peculiarity of the time difference, “you wish me good morning and I’ll be wishing you good night”, sets the lyrics off on a path that weighs the joys of travel against the pains of separation. There’s a bouncy, picked guitar behind the melody that tips the balance towards the positive. A second song originating from an Australian tour, My Dear Alexandra, dwells more sombrely on the pains of a somewhat more fundamental separation. While on tour, Kip and Dave met with Georgia Rose Lucas, the daughter of Sandy Denny and Trevor Lucas. Georgia never knew her mother, who died only months after Georgia was born, by which time she was in Australia with her father. Dave’s song recreates Georgia’s side of an imagined, present-day conversation between mother and daughter. The lyrics are packed with understated emotions that Kip’s voice teases out, helped by the ethereal quality of her flute and occasional swelling chords from Dave on keyboard. It’s a song to pluck anyone’s heartstrings, but it carries a heavy punch for those who hold memories of the actual events.
Winter Wilson’s reputation has been built on a bedrock of fine songs built up album after album. They’ve never shied away from tackling controversial topics, their songs often providing a social commentary for our times. Dave’s way with words and flair for melody easing the listener into considering problems all too easily dismissed as “other people’s”. The quality of these new songs is unquestionable, and paired with their ever-developing maturity as musicians; they make for an unmissable album. For existing fans, this will come as no surprise; it is more of the quality they’ve come to expect. For new ones, it’s a great introduction to just how good a song writing and performing duo they are.
Order via Bandcamp: https://winterwilson.bandcamp.com/album/the-passing-of-the-storm
More: https://winterwilson.com/