Henry Wagons - The Four Seasons (2024) [Official Digital Download 24/48]

Following the success of his ARIA-nominated album 'South of Everywhere' Australia's King of Outlaw Country - Henry Wagons - returns with a brand-new cosmic country masterwork 'The Four Seasons'. Join one of Australian music's finest storytellers and songwriters (and host of Double J's Tower of Song program) for this modern Morricone-esque, outlaw surf trip. One you soon won't forget!

Both on his own and while leading Melbourne ensemble Wagons, veteran baritone Henry Wagons has always playfully expanded the boundaries of outlaw country. He proves just as malleable on his fourth solo album, including on a quartet of instrumentals named after the titular seasons. After the opening “Summer” pays extended homage to Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti western scores—complete with whistling—“Freight Train (Going South)” is an earnest, toe-tapping tune about experiencing a strong pull towards the new, for better or worse. “My Lover My Companion” later evokes the easy-going folk amble of Fred Neil’s “Everybody’s Talkin’”, even as Wagons takes the time to salute his cosmic muse.

The Hawaiian-tinged “What You Need” and more meandering “Park at the Station (Friends of Mine)” both apply simple programmed beats to feel more like outliers than classic country. Many of these songs feature standout contributions from pedal steel guitarist Matt Kelly (City and Colour) and trumpeter Liam McGorry (Ex-Olympian), while rising singer-songwriter Queenie provides a perfect vocal foil on three different occasions. They include the tenderly romantic duet “Surrender” and the much darker “Open the Door”, a Sinatra/Hazlewood-style number culminating in rollicking psych. Both reinforce the sense that Wagons is every bit as sincere as he is unruly.

Tracklist:
1. Summer (2:27)
2. Freight Train (Going South) (3:13)
3. Big City Blues (2:26)
4. My Lover My Companion (3:23)
5. Autumn (1:46)
6. What You Need (3:55)
7. Are You Impressed? (3:07)
8. Surrender (3:23)
9. Winter (0:43)
10. Open the Door (2:43)
11. One More Night in Brooklyn (2:49)
12. Spring (0:39)
13. Park at the Station (Friends of Mine) (2:48)
14. I’m Glad I Fell in Love With You (2:28)


Thanks to the Original customer!