He doesn’t care from where it comes from; he only knows he’s got to run. Mason’s slanderously
thickened vocals are as perplexed as ever in ‘Carry On’, the first single release from the self-same
titled album, the first since If The Ocean Gets Rough some five years back.

Mason laments loss by way of nature, “I’ve chased the rain…nothing seems to fill my cup”, somehow
numbed by ugliness which surrounds him. Lyrical pointers, “I do believe I’ve had enough”, reek of a
previously mortared wall, weakened.

Although wizened, Mason finds solace in weaker moonshine, hidden behind a cloud, a less
aggressive unpredictability. His tone remains complimented by a blissful achy-breaky sensation.
Mason, a prized donor to Folk, plunges once more into gutting, charming musical odes to fragility.

With his East Coast upbringing and descent from William and Henry James, Willy
Mason makes a distinctly urbane folk hero. ‘Carry On’, the title track of his new
album, is an appropriately studious, workmanlike effort cast in the mould of pre-

Judas Dylan, and a certain cockle-warmer for the winter.

There are pleasurably coarse textures: Mason’s drawling vocals, distorting the mix
every so often. The slathered reverb and overly careful-sounding guitar work make
for a heavy-handed feel – but more often than not, the beauty available is in this self-
same essence of rough power barely smothered; ready to break loose.

Five years of living like a medieval minstrel and Willy Mason is back with his third studio record Carry
On.

I was lucky enough to catch Willy Mason in the summer where he performed many of the tracks
from this album. With just a guitar, the setting sun and a small but willing crowd, it was a golden
moment for me.

I heard the songs at their most primitive and basic, but on record the tracks are the end product of
being tinkered, tailored, soldered and tied together by big-time producer Daniel Carey.

Carey has added a different element to Willy’s songs. Sometimes it’s only in the subtleties, and other
times it is much more obvious. Is it a success? Yes I think so. For me Willy’s music still seems to hit
me hardest when it’s at its most pure, just his voice and guitar, but at least he is exploring different
ways of recording his songs, and for an artist that can only help them to evolve.

I had a hard time deciding which tracks I would recommend. I decided I wouldn’t recommend any.
Mainly because just like spit down a waterslide it flows along nicely; whizzing by. But also because I
don’t feel there is any particular stand out hit like there has been in previous works.

I urge you to go see Willy Mason live. Go, and as you peer underneath the armpit of the wonderfully
tall human being stationed in front of you, through your triangular viewpoint enjoy Willy Mason
without the shine, at his most basic and most masterful.