There’s a pretty compelling argument to be made that music is most compelling when it’s raw: a vocal, perhaps joined by some sparse guitar or piano, sharing emotion and experience with a listener. If you were making this argument, you might point to Will Hoge’s Solo & Live: December 2015, released earlier this year, as an example.
Hoge, who is one of the alt/rock/country/Americana persuasion’s most compelling story sharers, and Solo & Live continues to prove it. “When I Can Afford To Lose,” which appears early in Hoge’s set, finds Hoge lamenting above only piano chords. “Two years, three months, and five days / I’ve been trying to climb this wall / Two years, three months, and five days / please don’t let me fall,” he begins plaintively. “You’d understand, my dear / when you come walking near I want you back again / Cause I know that I can’t win / It’s not for me to choose / I’ll take you back again when I can afford to lose.” It’s a performance of strength in vulnerability, compelling to the point where even on the recording, it feels almost wrong to break the spell to applaud it. “Oh, my love, I’m scared it doesn’t show / But I’m scared to death of drowning in these things that I don’t know,” Hoge sings on “Trying To Be A Man,” “the truth is I’m a boy / just trying to be a man.”
Though the live record is great for contemplative, late night drives, that’s not the only area in which it excels. Hoge is witty, not just between songs but in them; “Jesus Came To Tennessee” provides tongue in cheek commentary on life’s truths and idiosyncrasies; “Til I Do It Again” finds Hoge learning his lessons – almost.
Between, Hoge is anthemic without being bland. “Still A Southern Man” is complexly patriotic, with a rich understanding of the complications of an American heritage. “Little Bitty Dreams” re-writes the American dream, from chasing an evasive one to settling into a homey one. “Even Though It Breaks Your Heart,” which became a hit for the Eli Young Band, encourages the evasive dream chasing despite the inherent challenges.
Sonically, Hoge’s vocal impresses throughout, and his writing draws on varied styles. “Times Are Not Changing” nods to Bob Dylan and tributes Woody Guthrie, while “(Pretty Sure) I’m Over You” is heavily reminiscent of Elvis Costello.
If you’ve never seen Will Hoge perform, Solo & Live: December 2015 will make you want to. Even in the recorded re-living of the evening, there’s a hearty offering that begs repeated listens. Set aside time or backdrop a long drive with this one; you won’t be doing a lot of skipping tracks.
Grab the album on iTunes and preview below: