It’s been a few years since I first heard Billy Ashe’s unheralded 1971 debut “You in You” (Thanks, JC!) but the album has only grown for me as a wonderful piece of warm and talented local folk music. It’s the kind of LP private press hounds crave, a very homemade unassuming atmosphere that is both low-key and sincere at the same time. The catch here for me, is that unlike 4 million other guys with guitars, Billy wrote some excellent songs and captured a really unique vibe that I just can’t quite tie to any other major musician of the era. Sure, you
can pick up a piece of Dylan here or there - without the sarcasm though, and maybe a sliver of Buckley in the lilt, but for the most part Billy really shoots from his own rustic hip - and it’s great (I will say, something about the title track distinctly reminds me of the Mayo Thompson sound on
Corky's Debt to his Father!). Hailing from Salado, TX, Ashe made the LP just for the sake of putting a few songs out there, though according to a friend who spoke with him, most copies didn’t make it much further than Billy’s dry and dusty neck of the woods. There’s a wonderful late-afternoon feel to the proceedings, very mellow thoughtful stuff that moves from verdant finger-picked guitar passages to lyrical soliloquies verging on the dream-like and nocturnal, reflections on life in the setting sun. The bottom line, like so many works, is love. It’s everywhere here, in all of its shades. Complex, mature stuff that definitely deserves some more listeners - so here‘s hoping you
enjoy it. I’ve included some scans from the lengthy mimeographed booklet with illustrations and lyrics that came with the LP. Beautiful work!
It’s been a few years since I first heard Billy Ashe’s unheralded 1971 debut “You in You” (Thanks, JC!) but the album has only grown for me as a wonderful piece of warm and talented local folk music. It’s the kind of LP private press hounds crave, a very homemade unassuming atmosphere that is both low-key and sincere at the same time. The catch here for me, is that unlike 4 million other guys with guitars, Billy wrote some excellent songs and captured a really unique vibe that I just can’t quite tie to any other major musician of the era. Sure, you 
can pick up a piece of Dylan here or there - without the sarcasm though, and maybe a sliver of Buckley in the lilt, but for the most part Billy really shoots from his own rustic hip - and it’s great (I will say, something about the title track distinctly reminds me of the Mayo Thompson sound on Corky's Debt to his Father!). Hailing from Salado, TX, Ashe made the LP just for the sake of putting a few songs out there, though according to a friend who spoke with him, most copies didn’t make it much further than Billy’s dry and dusty neck of the woods. There’s a wonderful late-afternoon feel to the proceedings, very mellow thoughtful stuff that moves from verdant finger-picked guitar passages to lyrical soliloquies verging on the dream-like and nocturnal, reflections on life in the setting sun. The bottom line, like so many works, is love. It’s everywhere here, in all of its shades. Complex, mature stuff that definitely deserves some more listeners - so here‘s hoping you enjoy it. I’ve included some scans from the lengthy mimeographed booklet with illustrations and lyrics that came with the LP. Beautiful work!
Nice indeed, thank you J.
ReplyDeleteGreat album, thank you very much
ReplyDeleteThis is no longer available. Could it be uploaded again? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteyes, a re-up would be great if you could?! thanks...
ReplyDeleteThis is such a rare album to find and hear. Could you please re-upload this wonderful Lp. Thanks.
ReplyDelete