David
Wolfenberger - Album
- “World of the Satisfy’n Place” (Blue
Jordan Records 2001) 
I
have to say that it irks me giving good reviews unless a record is really good,
so it’s been an irksome few weeks, as all I seem to have heard is great new
records. This one is a 100% solid gold classic, and it’s only not getting 5
stars as there are some imperfections, and it may not be everyone’s cup of
tea. David Wolfenberger is clearly a very talented man; he’s a member of the
Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers, and it’s probably fair enough to say that
if you like them or any of Victoria Williams’ solo records, you’ll get on
very well with this indeed. From Ivesdale, Illinois (the Mid West does seem to
be supplying a lot of those great records I was talking about), but living in
Cincinnati, David plays here with musicians he has clearly known for a big chunk
of his life, and the sheer joy and charm of this record is the comfortable, very
appropriate diversity- in subjects and in musicals styles. Take “Paul”- a
gentle, mid tempo mainstream country rock outing about St Paul’s wanderings,
or “From a Field, July 1975”- just David and his piano, a resplendent and
focused song of lonesomeness and the comfort of childhood recollections, which
would put either Liam Hayes (Will Oldham’s pianist) or Elton John (sorry, got
to give the man credit) firmly in the shade. As for “Fairfax Girl (Price of
Life)”- about a child born small and fragile, and her parent’s faith that
she would live (she doesn’t)- this will either make you cry because of the
acuteness of the storytelling, or make you swoon from Margie Landgrave’s
indescribably touching and soothing oboe backing, which is a determined
counter-point throughout, speaking for hope and love. Well, If you’ve got this
far and you’re feeling queasy, I don’t need to point out the drawbacks here!
If you like the sound of it, or think that you can suspend your natural British
reaction to complex, well written, sincere music, then please go and buy this
record now. It won’t change your life forever, but it will surely touch
your life for some time to come. MP
Read the corresponding interview that Americana-UK did with David by clicking Here!
March 2002