Rod Picott – Starlight Tour (Welding Rod Records, 2023)
Rod Picott’s latest album, Starlight Tour, produced by musician and filmmaker Neilson Hubbard (known for collaborations with John Prine and Lucinda Williams), presents some of Picott’s most incisive songwriting to date. The album delves into the songwriter’s own tumultuous past while casting a gaze into an uncertain future. With a noir cinema ambiance, Starlight Tour encapsulates a blend of darkness and uncertainty, interwoven with threads of hope and grace.
On the music side, Picott incorporates engaging country rock and blues influences, as well as intimate folk music. He skillfully captures the essence of lives teetering on the edge, grappling with economic hardships or succumbing to exhaustion. Drawing from personal experiences, Picott’s narratives resonate with authenticity, often portraying characters navigating through bleak landscapes. However, Starlight Tour introduces a shift in perspective.
While Picott maintains his trademark melancholy, the album reflects a contemplation of both experiences and foreboding futures. With an emotional poignant awareness of mortality, amplified by personal losses and aging parents, Picott confronts themes of reckoning, defiance, and dignity throughout the album.
The album opens with “Next Man in Line,” painting a vivid portrait of familial vulnerability and resilience. Backed by a talented ensemble including Lex Price, Juan Solorzano, and Neilson Hubbard, Picott’s raw vocals find resonance amidst bluesy backdrops and expressive storytelling.
Autobiographical tracks like “Digging Ditches” and collaborations such as “A Punchers Chance” and “Combine” offer glimpses into Picott’s life and cooperations. From the struggles of manual labor to the disillusionment with societal constructs, Picott navigates themes of inevitability and vulnerability with authenticity and empathy.
Closing with “Time to Let Go of Your Dreams,” Picott confronts profound existential questions with haunting introspection. Despite the somber tone, he concludes with a note of resilience, signaling a willingness to embrace new dreams and possibilities.
With a prolific career spanning over two decades and thirteen albums, Picott’s artistic engine shows no signs of slowing down at fifty-seven. From his humble beginnings as a construction worker to his evolution as a revered songwriter, Picott’s journey reflects resilience and creative evolution. With a notable presence in television and film projects, his music continues to resonate across various mediums, further solidifying his impact on contemporary storytelling.
Musicians: Rod Picott on vocals, guitar; Juan Solorzano on acoustic, pedal steel guitars, piano, glockenspiel, and trumpet; Lex Price on bass and mandolin; Neilson Hubbard on drums and percussion.
Author: Ryan Emmert
