The Ballad of Billy Saigon

Billy Saigon is a rare retro treat!

     

This records harkens back to a different time in music, with its storytelling and lyrical imagery. First of all, the title track is a storytelling song, and the payoff for the title character is a powerful tale of redemption. Which, come to think of it, most all the other songs tread this theme in different ways. There are some great players, I read on this artist's site they have guitar legend Albert Lee on several tracks, and Victoria's harmonica playing is superb. Wes is apparently the songwriter, and the lyrics on this record are exceptional. They posted part of a review on their myspace site from a Belgian roots music mag (Rootstime- I looked it up but can't read flemish or dutch or what ever it is written in) that stated these were "healing songs" and called this record a "small masterpiece" that grows with each listen. I think that pretty well sums it up. These guys look like another one of the thousands of indie acts out there trying to find a toehold for what they do. Here's hoping that they find it. This is good stuff. Peace.