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Larry Jon Wilson returns after a mere 29-year absence

Just got word from an unlikely source -- renowned indie label Drag City -- that they're issuing a new album from Larry Jon Wilson, who made a modest name for himself in the 1970s on Monument Records and was featured in the opening scene of the now-legendary documentary film Heartworn Highways. I happened to catch Wilson about a decade ago at a little gathering across the street from the late great FloraBama lounge in Perdido Key, Florida; as it happens, this album was apparently recorded in Perdido Key. Release date is June 23.

No idea what to expect with this one, but the short set I saw back in '99 left me thinking this was someone I hoped to have the chance to hear more from someday. Kudos to the folks at Drag City for apparently concurring.

Here's the official press-release briefing:

In the 1970s, Larry Jon Wilson released four acclaimed albums and garnered a reputation as one of the best new “outlaw country” songwriters around alongside such hallowed names as Mickey Newbury, Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. Starting his career late (learning guitar in 1970, at the age of 30) and leaving it early (ten years later), he walked way from the business, but not the music. Signed to Monument Records by Fred Foster on the strength of a letter and a demo cassette, his legacy has been the four albums of deep country soul released between 1975 and 1979 – but none of them came as close to the bone as this new, appropriately self-titled album.

Larry Jon Wilson has been quietly playing shows on and off in the southern states over the last two decades – but it wasn’t until some new friends twisted his arm with recording gear in tow on the 15th floor of a Perdido Key condominium that a new album became a reality. This album stands apart from his 70s recordings. On Larry Jon Wilson, he stands mostly alone, with songs of his friends and his own, occasionally accompanied by a single violin.

With the release of Larry Jon Wilson, the world is privy to the Larry Jon Wilson sound, clear and worn, deep and resonant.

Comment by Rick Saunders on March 30, 2009 at 5:01pm: Good post Peter. I was wondering when he'd get a U.S. release. I could not get a reply from his UK label. I did a post on Larry Jon Wilson just last. His old stuff is brilliant but the new one is album of the year so far in my world. http://ricksaunders.blogspot.com/2009/03/larry-jon-wilson.html

Comment by Kevin Oliver on March 30, 2009 at 6:29pm: I've had the pleasure of running into Larry Jon Wilson a couple times in the past decade, though I haven't seen him in a while--he lives in or near Augusta, Georgia, about an hour or so from me. Jack Williams had him as a guest at one of his summertime retreats on the Edisto river, where I not only met him for the first time but heard him play a few songs, this was probably around the same time you last say you heard him, Peter. He plays the occasional show in Augusta, though I can't remember the last time I heard about one--a few years ago at least.

I have an old Larry Jon Wilson 45, "The Truth Ain't In Me" was one side of it, can't remember the other, had to have been from one of those late seventies albums. That's fabulous news about him putting out new music, can't wait to hear it.

Comment by J.Scott Brandon on March 30, 2009 at 7:26pm: Long live the FloraBama.

Comment by Martha Ann Brooks on March 31, 2009 at 5:24pm: I was lucky enough to see Larry Jon Wilson on a Georgia Public TV program and to hear a "bootleg" of him playing at Augusta's " Red Lion Inn". I fell in love with his wonderful songs and voice and although I was raised in Augusta, I have never gotten the chance to see him live. Can't wait to get the new CD and really hope I get the opportunity to catch a live performance.

Comment by Hillbilly Haiku on April 1, 2009 at 1:33pm: Great to hear it will be released in the States. I ordered this CD from Caiman.com last August and it is a jewel!

What you can expect is Larry Jon and his guitar, a few violin touches, just the man and his magic mainlining to your heart.

I got to see Larry Jon live last June at the Mickey Newbury Gathering and he is without a doubt an overlooked treasure. Despite some health issues, he is an amazing performer. Genius, and I don't use that lightly. Love LOVE him.

He usually participates in the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival in November in the Gulf Shores area.

Comment by Rein van den Berg on June 8, 2009 at 1:34am: It's a delight to here that all these old - but brilliant - artists such as Larry Jon Wilson (but also for example Bob Martin and Rex Foster just to add some names) finally are being recolgnized for their contributions to the music. Music for the heart!