Music
Press
"One of the great songwriters that not many people know about…He's my own personal Dylan…" - This Week In Americana
Veteran Nashville-based songwriter/ poet Will Webb releases his first album here and, as the title suggests, trains are a recurring theme. Stylistically, this collection blends folky songwriting and country instrumentation, with Webb's Dylan-esque vocals driving the train, so to speak. "Gospel Train Blues" is a lonesome hard-charger, and "War Zone" owns a dark tone and affecting militaristic feel. The introspective "Wicked Wind" and pining "Bonnie June" possess a timeless feel, while the hangdog "Wheels Up" is a testament to those things that have run their course. Later, "Pastures of Plenty" melds a stone country vibe with clever lyrics and a unique worldview. Indeed, Webb is a superb songwriter and a compelling storyteller on cuts like the cajun-inflected "Little Miss Born to Lose" and "Drivin' Willie." Better yet, Webb benefits from the presentation; the production is evocative and often risk-taking, with spirited guitars and the odd funky piano turn parlayed against subtle acoustics. A mighty fine, if long-delayed, debut.—RW - Billboard Magazine
…Will Webb sounds like an "Americana" version of the man who, when he was 14, inspired him to take up poetry and songwriting: Bob Dylan. The similarity between their voices is incredible. And that makes this record for Webb somehow a little bit tricky, because many will listen to this as a record by the great master (Dylan)
himself. And in that situation you have to be very good to live up to expectations. But that is exactly what Webb has succeeded in doing. He captivates us from the opening number of "Gospel Train Blues" all the way till the end of the CD with the acoustic folk song "Goodnight Annie Hall"…It is clear that this album is an absolute must-have, and not just for Dylan fans…
- ctrlaltcountry.be
Will Webb “Name of the Train” (Bonnie June 2004) When you get to the age of 51, what do you do? Do you rage against the starting to fade gently at the edges, light and release your first record? And if you do, do you make it sound like you’ve been listening to Dylan for 40 years? If you’re Will you do - not that the time is wasted; these aren’t pastiches or cheap facsimiles of Dylan; tracks like ‘Drivin’ Willie’ have a poetry all of their own. There are worse things to be doing at 51 - you could be doing nothing or writing reviews of people actually doing something with their life. If you want some old-fashioned folky country in your life that’s as solid as the trains it depicts, then hop on board - this’ll take you where you want to go. See www.willwebb.com for a timetable. DC - americana-uk.com
Discography
"Name Of The Train" - Debut Album - 2004
"Room To Room"-2005
wvud-Newark De.
Radio BluePrint-Holland
and various European stations.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
I was born on September 23, 1953 in Chester, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Being the youngest of nine children, I was fortunate to be exposed to all kinds of music. My parents, both of whom were born and raised in the knob country of South Central Kentucky, introduced me to the Carter Family, Jimmy Rodgers, Hank Williams and so much more. From my brothers and sisters I heard the Platters, Elvis, Johnny Mathis, and Motown. Johnny Horton and the Four Tops were early favorites of mine. Our family attended the Chester Mennonite Church, and it was there that I heard all those great old gospel songs. "Rock Of Ages," my mother's favorite, "Power In The Blood," "Higher Ground," and "Open The Wells Of Salvation," songs I love to this day.
When I was around fourteen, my older brother played Bob Dylan’s "Highway 61 Revisited" for me and everything changed. Although it was three or four years before hearing Dylan that I began writing poetry, I suddenly got very serious about it. From the mid 70’s through the late 80’s I began reading my poetry in various clubs around the Philadelphia area, including the Painted Bride, as well as at the Walt Whitman International Poetry Center in Camden, New Jersey. Both of these recitals were by "invitation only," and therefore my first tastes of success. To this day I am honored and proud to have been chosen.
In 1990, I moved to Nashville to pursue a songwriting career. I was thrilled to have George Jones record a song of mine called “Angel’s Don’t Fly” which was included on his album entitled "Along Came Jones." The song was later recorded and released as a single by Country artist James Prosser. I also Co-wrote “Disappointed” with Alt-Rocker, Matthew Ryan, which appeared on Ryan’s A & M Records debut Album, “Mayday.”
My debut album, "Name of the Train" released in 2003, received great reviews across the board, including Billboard Magazine. My second CD, "Room to Room", was released in November of 2005, one reviewer placed "Rom to Room" in his top 10 albums of 2005.
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