Will Kimbrough (from the album For the Life of Me

Will Kimbrough (from the album For the Life of Me

Will Kimbrough (from the album For the Life of Me on Daphne Records) (by Lee Zimmerman)
 
Will Kimbrough may be best known as a sideman to the stars. While his talents were given opportunity to shine courtesy of his efforts with Emmylou Harris, Shemekia Copeland, Rodney Crowell, Gretchen Peters, Kate Campbell, Todd Snider, Kim Richey, Steve Forbert, and the late Jimmy Buffett, he somehow avoided the spotlight and pursued a quiet solo career that all but his most ardent admirers seemed to notice.
 
For the Life of Me, his eighth solo album, gives him the opportunity to remedy that, although here again, Kimbrough opts for subtlety over amplified indulgence. Deeply introspective but always retaining an emotive impact, the songs are stirring and yet tasteful, resonant and resolute with distinct intent and his own passionate perspective. Kimbrough himself takes charge of the vocals, guitars, and keyboards, with bassist Chris Donohue and drummer/percussionist Bryan Owings providing the sole accompaniment. The songs are both intimate and expressive, rolling out like pages of a diary filled with daily revelation. They offer honest insight while commenting on the tragedies and travesties that have seemingly become a constant part of today’s news cycles, be it the issues surrounding immigration, school shootings, and those who are left to grieve in their wake.
 
‘How long must I wander’ Kimbrough asks on the somber album opener, “Walking in the Valley of the Shadow”. ‘How long must I roam?’
 
While “Southern Wind” and “I Don’t Want to Start a War” come across as decidedly more assertive, the sentiments are similar, each keyed to the need for understanding in a quest for survival. The latter tells the fictional tale of a college kid who becomes enamored with the Grateful Dead in the mid-‘80s, only to abruptly change course and become an insurrectionist in D.C, on January 6. Even then, he insists ‘I don’t want to start a war, not another civil war, can’t take the hate no more’.
 
Other tracks — “Rivers of Roses”, “Every Day”, and the title tune — address today’s divide and disfunction as well, each a haunting and ominous commentary on the state of a world torn asunder by darkness and distrust. And while some songs are obviously intimidating in terms of messaging and the shared circumstance, there is a glimmer of hope found in the upbeat “Every Day” and the ultimate resolve of the jaunty “When This Is All Over”, each indicative of Kimbrough’s determination and desire to make it through the malaise and emerge with his faith fulfilled.
 
Ultimately, For the Life of Me offers another example of Kimbrough’s abilities at their most effective and expressive. It’s an impressive musical encounter and one which affirms the fact Kimbrough remains at the peak of his prowess. (by Lee Zimmerman)
 
Listen and buy the music of Will Kimbrough from AMAZON
 
For more information head over to the Will Kimbrough website