Reviews
Artist:Ward Richmond Album: Spaciousness
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 9
Website: https://www.truckinon.com/
Ward Richmond is certainly not your average singer-songwriter. As well as fronting bands and putting out music for many years, Dallas based Ward is also a renown Podcaster and real estate entrepreneur. His Podcast traverses many themes, often including the personal whereby he discusses his addictions and ideas around growth and spiritual awakenings. Indeed, this current album release, the 9 track 'Spaciousness', is loosely based around a series of spiritual awakenings and insights he has experienced over the past 4 years, beginning with the onset of the pandemic.
Ward Richmond is also musically well connected. Jason Burt contributed to the arrangements, plays multiple instruments and produced the album, while lead guitar was supplied by Charlie Wiles (Paul Cauthen) and Ryan Ake (Texas Gentlemen/Ryan Bingham). Scott Lee (Texas Gentlemen/Ryan Bingham) added bass, Jordache Grant (Abraham Alexander) Keys, Philip Bowen fiddle and Ward Williams (Randy Houser) steel - a fine line up indeed.
On to the music, opening and title track 'Spaciousness' barges in on thumping bass, drums and guitar riff before the arrival of Ward's laconic vocal. Think part Tom Petty, part Jonathan Richmond and a small side of Lou Reed, as the song fairly rattles through in immediate earworm fashion.
'Tulum' follows in a similar beat heavy mode, 'Boom Boom' rides across an acoustic strum and lead riffing, before track four 'Pay For The Bills' slows things just slightly without losing any of the previous songs rhythmic emphasis.
And so it goes for the rest of the album. At one level deceptively simple both lyrically and musically, but be prepared for unexpected twists, turns and developments along the way.
Other stand out tracks for me are the pounding 'Truckin' On' which boasts the fine opening couplet that probably stands as a universal wish for most of us, "I need someone to help me find a brand new attitude, I need someone to lend me a little bit of latitude", and then album closer 'The Good Things', bows out on a defiantly optimistic note, dressed again by someone wonderful guitar lines and fills.
I really like this record. Truth be told, Ward Richmond doesn't have the greatest vocal range, but he uses his voice very cleverly, writes smart, sassy songs and is wise enough to call in the services of some truly exceptional musicians. Add in some great recording values and 'Spaciousness' delivers a sound to be reckoned with.
Paul Jackson
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