Today we’re featuring Alex Woodard, as this is the release date of his new album, Alex Woodard. The song for download, “Reno”, features Sara Watkins, who is most known for her work in Nickel Creek. Longtime readers know how much we dig Nickel Creek in these parts, so check this one out.
Here’s the press release:
Singer/songwriter Alex Woodard will release his new, self-titled album tomorrow, August 19, on Woodshack Music/Adrenaline Music Group. With his undeniable, story-driven songwriting, Woodard tackles universal themes like love, loss, hope, and struggle, tapping into a rich vein of country-rock that George Varga, Music Editor of the San Diego Union Tribune, calls, “An accomplished collection that suggests broader success is close at hand…Woodard’s well-crafted songs are cut from the same cloth as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and John Mellencamp, whose music eloquently captures earthy truths about living, loving and growing older without losing the dreams of youth. His words and music are right on target.” Allmusic.com also raves, “Woodard pens tales instantly recognizable, for they’re American stories we’ve all lived and shared, with the album holding a mirror to us all.”
Joining Woodard on the new album is Nickel Creek’s singer/fiddler and fellow San Diego surfer Sara Watkins, who duets with him on “Reno,” a song about letting go of dreams that don’t fit anymore. Pulled from the popular Blog Spot, Wildy’s World, “The absolute highlight of this album is Reno, the duet with Nickel Creek’s Sara Watkins. This is one of the most traditional country sounding songs on the album, and Woodard’s voice works with Watkins’ so well you’d think they’ve been singing together for years.” Grammy-winner Watkins, whose fiddle appears on several tracks, also lends her voice to the ballad, while Fountains of Wayne’s Brian Young mans the drums.
Download.com observes that Alex’s “cool folk melancholy sounds especially fine next to gleaming country-pop guitars,” and Today’s Country Magazine says: “Woodard crafts [his lyrics] in a way that delivers the stories perfectly.”
Look for Woodard to appear in your town on his popular “House Concert Tour” where he is playing in local fans homes.
Listen & Download: Reno
Official Site: Alex Woodard
MySpace Page: Alex Woodard
I really like Woodard’s voice. It has a warmth to it. And of course, just about anything that Sara Watkins does is going to work for me. I’d probably give the song a B if I were to review it.
Her voice gets better and better! I hope she keeps doing stuff, because she sounds better on this track then she ever has.
How exactly do we download on the link?
Right-click, and choose “Save link as” (or Save Target as, depending on your browser.)
Sara Watkins is in the same league as Alison Krauss when it comes to vocal tone, harmony and inflection…she can sing to me anytime. I saw her live with Nickel Creek and needless to say, I haven’t been the same since. Pure rapture!
Haven’t heard of him before. His voice is a bit like Gary Allan’s. I think he overflutters the ends of each line a bit here and there, but good lord does Watkins hit this one out. I’m not sure she compliments his voice quite right, but it’s still a very good combo. Good song, B+.