At The Barrier’s favourite virtuoso violin/guitar duo return with album #4. Working In Wood is another collection of songs rich in harmony and melody and laced with a generous dose of groove.
WELCOME BACK!
Well – they’re back again and all I can say is: “Welcome.”
Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow are a pair of musicians who, whether working individually or collectively, never fail to amaze. Aaron is a master violinist who, when he isn’t working alongside Brooks Williams, might be found plying his trade as one half of Bristol duo Hawes and Catlow. Or, failing that, he might be up there, treading the festival boards with Sheelanagig, Yola, Mad Dog Macree or Afro Celt Sound System.
Originally from Statesboro, Georgia but now long-established as a resident of Cambridge, UK, Brooks Williams is an outstanding songwriter and acoustic guitarist with well over 20 albums to his name. As well as working this fruitful partnership with Aaron Catlow, Brooks is also known for his collaborations with, amongst others, Boo Hewerdine, Rab Noakes and Dan Walsh.
WORKING IN WOOD
Working in Wood is the fourth album that Brooks and Aaron have recorded together and it follows the pair’s excellent 2024 offering, Greens And Blues. Once again, the duo are joined by double bassist, Jon Short and, as always, the ensemble are recorded playing ‘live’ in the studio – a process that captures the energy and excitement of a gig and displays the voices and instrumental virtuosity to best effect.
Working in Wood is a varied collection of songs – a mix of Williams and Catlow original pieces, alongside selections from a range of the duo’s favourite songwriters. And, whether the material is the duo’s own, or whether it’s imported from elsewhere, one thing is for sure: every song gets the ‘Brooks and Aaron treatment.’ In case you’re wondering, that means that they’re infused with melody and harmony and served up with a generous dollop of groove.
WATCH THE SPARKS FLY…
Brooks plays a sleazy, bluesy guitar figure to introduce Watcha Gonna Do About It, the album’s opening track, and the song itself is no less sleazy or bluesy. Aaron’s fiddle licks slip and slide, whilst Brooks is content merely to slide happily along. Sleaze is also the theme to Sleeping With the Dogs Tonight and feet start to tap uncontrollably. It’s a Bonnie Prince Billy song that tells the story of a boozy night out that seems destined to end in trouble. Aaron whistles along to Brooks’ ‘out-on-the-tiles’ guitar riff and the pair harmonise wonderfully as they recount their tale.
Tornado Smith, a tribute to the UK’s first ‘Wall Of Death’ rider is the album’s first Williams/Catlow original. Jon’s here on bowed double bass and the richness quotient is notched up immediately. Brooks’ and Aaron’s vocal harmonies are, once again, spot-on, the country-flavoured tune really lends itself to the song’s storyline and Brooks’ choppy rhythm guitar and Aaron’s flowing melody showcase just what this duo do best. London Road is a Brooks song, but it has a strong traditional feel. Guitar and violin follow each other around the tune and they blend magically. And, when Brooks sings: “You mind how you go down the London Road,” he sounds like he’s issuing a warning that needs to be heeded!
Conceived when Aaron and Brooks visited Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire, The Ballad Of Hendrix The Cat is an Aaron Catlow instrumental. Aaron plucks his fiddle strings and Brooks plays along, whilst Jon lays down a solid-but-understated bass foundation. It’s an interesting and enjoyable tune that builds in intensity and, when Aaron abandons his plucking and reaches for his bow, the sparks fly.
ACOUSTICALLY ELECTRIFYING
The album’s title track is a song by jazz vocalist Buffie Groves that tells of a character who finds a life’s calling as a ship builder. Aaron tells the tale, listing the favourite woodworking media and the tools used to realise the character’s visions, before Brooks delivers a guitar solo that is acoustically electrifying. And it’s Brooks’ bluesy ragtime guitar that drives the excellent Deep River Blues along. The song is a live show favourite and, listening to Aaron’s decorative jazzy fiddle flourishes it’s easy to understand why. And, when the pair let loose together, it’s time to hold on to your headgear…
Rising is another Williams/Catlow original, inspired by the stories of the many people who were affected by the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Helene in the mountains of North Carolina in September 2024. There’s drama in Brooks’ voice as he recollects the storm’s arrival and passage and the instrumentation is, at first, duly restrained. But, once Aaron cuts loose on his fiddle, you can almost picture the storm as it whistles through the hills and the valleys.
Aaron, Brooks and Jon tackle Mockingbird, a delightful country waltz, with palpable enjoyment. Tapping feet are, once again, compulsory on another song that is destined to become another live show mainstay, guaranteed to get audiences up and dancing.
A PAIRING MADE IN HEAVEN
Working In Wood is brought to its finale with Hesitation Blues, the duo’s ‘signature encore.’ The song is a traditional country blues, dressed in a bright jazzy overcoat. Brooks’ vocals are down ‘n’ dirty and laced with humour and Aaron’s fiddle reaches out to explore every corner and crevice. Brooks and Jon keep up a steady rhythm, until Brooks stretches out with a couple of eye-watering bluesy solos.
And I’m reminded, yet again, that Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow is a pairing made in Heaven.
Watch Brooks Williams & Aaron Catlow perform their ‘signature encore,’ Hesitation Blues – Live at AREA 88, Milton Keynes – below:
Brooks Williams: Website
Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow: Website