Hayward Williams
Another Sailor's Dream
Machine Records

Hayward Williams' new album in the Americana genre is competent and promises much for his future. He writes wise songs and offers some fresh sounds.

"Redwoods" is bouncy with its harmonica and upbeat melody, but Williams sings in a voice that betrays some regret. "Doctors" is a bluesy song with a neat bar-room piano that subtly evokes certain parts of Dr John's later sound. "Problems with Hemingway" focuses on a woman meeting a man who shares her pain. They disagree about Hemingway's literary merit and split up. It's a good little character study, nicely drawn.

Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road" closes the album and gets a good if not overtly original reading. Williams has already left enough evidence of his talent for that to be any real criticism. It's a solid record in all.

Copyright © 2008 Anna Maria Stjärnell