Artist: Will Kimbrough
Album: Spring Break
Label: Daphne Records
Release Date: 10.23.2020
If only this interminable pause the world has been subjected to since March were really a spring break. Rather than falling into despair, many artists have turned inward, using the hiatus to create powerful new work. Expect a rush of output—music, poetry, novels and art of all kind—in the months ahead as a result of the Covid crisis.
Alabama-born songwriter Will Kimbrough has been especially productive since, in his words, “the world broke, and we all took a break.” Spring Break features 14 new compositions, performed solo on acoustic guitar and harmonica. It’s a wide-ranging set inspired, in part, by the passing of John Prine due to Covid earlier this year. “The Late Great John Prine” is Kimbrough’s straightforward tribute to one of America’s giants.
Prine’s influence is evident on several tracks while other songs sound more Dylanesque with shades of Woody and Arlo Guthrie for good measure. The opening cut, “My Sin Is Pride,” and “All Fall Down” are among the album’s standouts. It’s impossible these days to avoid politics, but Kimbrough offers his hand in peace on “My Right Wing Friend.”
In addition to nine previous solo albums, Kimbrough’s compositions have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, Todd Snider, Little Feat and many others. Among the co-written tunes on the album (although all songs are performed solo) are “Rocket Fuel” and “Cape Henry” with Todd Snider and “Home Remedy” and “Plow to the End of the Road” with Adrienne Young.
While we take comfort in the resiliency of the human spirit, we’re now heading toward winter. This spring break should have been long over. Let’s hope the upcoming election begins to lift the clouds on the nightmare we’ve been living through.
—Lou Montesano
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