Dog Eared Dream

Willy Porter Willy Porter's guitar playing is so expressive and such an integral part of his performances that he is perhaps best described as a guitarist-songwriter rather than a mere singer-songwriter. On "Breathe," the opening track of his self-titled fourth CD, Porter's intricate solo ...	Falling Forward Voted musician of the year in his native Wisconsin, Willy Porter combines stellar guitar skills with a gruff sincerity to create convincing songs about love, loss, and mystery. Not easy to pigeonhole, Porter has the talent that fits Six Degrees Records' stated goal of "breakin...	High Wire Live With High Wire Live, his first live album, listeners who have never experienced Willy Porter on stage can hear his quietly spellbinding majesty and improvisation in his natural milieu, performing his most requested songs and featuring the blinding 6 & 12-string guitar playing tha...	Available Light With an accomplished touring history working with artists as diverse as Paul Simon, Jethro Tull, Sting, Jeff Beck and Tori Amos, Willy Porter's latest CD finds him at home in his own musical world. Equal parts muscle, intimacy and atmosphere, it's the guitarist/ singer/ songwr...	Worrisome Heart ". . . in a place where Billie Holiday meets Tom Waits . . . has moments that recall pieces of Nina Simone, early Rickie Lee Jones, and even the sophistication of Cole Porter. " - Business Week Although there are elements of jazz, blues and folk in her music, it is simultan...
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Willy Porter is Amazing!
You should get this album just for "Watercolor." And right now with some of the used prices at under a dollar there is no reason you shouldn't give this a try. I'll agree that I like some of his other CDs better. But start here, buy the rest, and see him live if you can. You won't regret it.

Willy's 1st major label effort
"Dog Eared Dream" is Willy Porter's 2nd album, the follow-up to his first record, "The Trees Have Soul." I believe it was his first album released by a major record label, however. It is a mixed bag of brilliant songs and forgettable duds. This CD has quite a different feel from his first album. The all-out guitar virtuosity has been toned down significantly, only present in parts of a few songs. It is more produced and of a much higher recording quality, and it seems that Willy is turning more into a pop singer/songwriter than a fingerstylist with vocals, a shift that is sure to please some while irking others. The first song on the CD, "Angry Words," is easily the best, and is perhaps the defining song of Willy's career. If that song had been what I like to call "Vertical Horizoned" (if you listen to the evolution of Vertical Horizon from their acoustic-based "Running On Ice" to their later albums, you'll understand what I mean), it would have easily been on the radio. Still, in its current state, it's a great song for the background of a party or while driving. It's also pretty cool that he uses two capos to play that song, but I digress. The next two songs, "Rita" and "Jesus on the Grille" show off Willy's country side. The former is a stronger song, driven by a sing-along-able chorus. The latter might be more fun live; it doesn't seem to be a very good studio track. "Boab Tree" is pleasant enough if played in the background, but another standout track, "Watercolor," follows it and is one of Willy's best (certainly his best love song). "Cool Water," which appeared on his first album, comes next. It is a bit more upbeat (has real drums) and sounds like it could have been pulled off of a Dave Matthews Band album, but it still sounds a bit empty in spots and could have used more production assistance (not likely, since that would mean it would have to make a third appearance on a subsequent album). The next song is definitely the album's weakest: "Be Here Now." Willy's spoken word vocals don't come across as musical. He also tried spoken word on the previous album with the song "Lines of Age," but that song was saved by a soaring chorus that this song lacks. The four tracks that round out the CD are nice but forgettable, though "Flying" would satisfy the guitar jocks looking for some of the fingerstyle playing of the first album. Overall, "Dog Eared Dream" is a decent album with a few great tracks and a few others that could have used more work. I've given it 4 stars because most of the tracks are at least listenable ("Be Here Now" being the exception), there are a few outstanding songs, and Willy took some chances and tried to evolve from his first album. Fans of light acoustic rock and adult contemporary would enjoy this CD.

The true mark of quality
So many albums catch you and then fade into the back of your CD collection. Willy Porter's songs initially generate a less passionate response, but, they grow and grow on you to the point where you are hooked forever. In other words, they don't fade and instead blossom! I read the couple negative reviews and can only conclude in this day of the need for immediacy, the negatives are too impatient to experience the long term magic of Willy P! They have my sympathy. For the rest, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Watercolor
I fell in love with a woman listening to watercolor. She sang it as it played. Everytime I listen to the lyrics: "together we'll wake up to the watercolor sunrise" it brings back so many memories of her and what we had. If you are in love or need a special couples song, get this cd and play this love song and enjoy a romantic evening with that special lover in your life. (t.a. I miss you sooooo much, j.y.)

Great album
While his style is not as eclectic as some of the above fans expect, his musician ship is hard to match. Many listeners may not respect the sound and execution in this man's guitar playing. He is a phenomenal guitar player and a sound songwriter, I hope to see him live soon. This album may be a bit on the soft side for those folks who only like the catchy funk style of a Jack Johnson----but his tone and execution on the guitar blow catchy chord players out of the water....If you have an appreciation for the guitar, ignore some of these other reviews and pick up this album.