Wah Wah Willie: Cinema ...CD review by Ann Rein

Wah Wah Willie: Cinema

...by Ann Rein

     Once upon a time there was music here and there, but mostly there. You didn't hear it blaring on street corners resplendant with loud speakers the size of small cars, inside every store you entered, in each nook and every cranny of your journey from job to play to home. With the twenty-first century now upon us, though, you can expect to be either blasted or enchanted at the doctor's office as well as the movie theater. Sometimes that's disconcerting to say the least. My doctor's choice of Led Zeppelin wasn't, well, exactly soothing. Nor was it uplifting, happiness-inducing or even healing. Zeppelin is cool, to be sure, but not in the doctor's office — at least not for me.

      Now we come to Wah Wah Willie. Dennis Nattrass is Wah Wah and he's outstanding. Have to say that right up front, friends, because I'm going to campaign for this guy to hit every street corner I walk on so I can hear his uniquely satisfying sounds regularly. His new CD, Cinema, contains thirteen tracks of some of the most provocatively exceptional music to come in on the sound waves in recent years.

     Opening strongly with the ethereal Islands, Nattrass treats us to an aural image resplendent of tropical birds preening in the trees and native drums keeping cadence to resonant vocals. I could eat, sleep, dream, love to this song and its sensuous – yet relaxing – quality. Indeed, some of the most engaging work by this special artist/composer is in the simplicity and depth of the vocals. Nattrass doesn't need to howl or shock us with lyrics to make a point. Point Panic (track 3) tantalizes from the depths of a fully developed vocal. The lyrics make sense and add to the overall feel in a manner missing far too often from contemporary music.

     There is an abundance of fabulous guitar playing throughout Cinema. Dennis Nattrass is nothing if not a master of his instruments. It's no surprise his work appears in movies. He is as polished as he is inspiring. Currently, he does soundtracks, session work and plays live in addition to composing.

     Although Nattrass did record alone on Cinema, Wah Wah Willie and the Wakahoochie Wanderers play in spots around the world. It would be a special treat to hear the band play live and I certainly look forward to having the chance to sit in the audience some day. Until then, I'll listen to tunes like String of Pearls for its nostalgic beauty and Rise when I need a bit of soul. I'll tune in this native Australian when I want to get down rough and tumble as he does on Howard's Lament. Yes, Nattrass has the chops to become one of the biggest soundmakers out there and I, for one, will be looking forwarding to hearing his searing sounds everywhere.

     Now, I'm not about to tell you that Nattrass' music has healing qualities. Then again, maybe it does. Makes me feel good, that's a given. And, doc? You can put on a Wah Wah Willie CD anytime! Your patients will love you for it! Until I need another visit to the house of medicine, though, I'm putting Cinema in my CD player and driving the windy road to the beach where I plan to sit and watch the sun set over the waves and dunes. I'm taking my faithful dog, my favorite soda and a plastic bag of dried pineapple. If you see me, stop and sit awhile. I promise some of the best music you'll ever hear!

Wah Wah Willie: Cinema
01) Islands	Nattrass	5:21
02) Anvil	Nattrass	5:57
03) Point Panic	Nattrass	5:46
04) Letter from Timor	Nattrass	5:20
05) Breakfast in Baghdad	Nattrass	1:41
06) Test 3	Nattrass	5:16
07) Howard's Lament	Nattrass	0:52
08) Rise	Nattrass	4:17
09) Still Life in Byron	Nattrass	4:29
10) Waiting	Nattrass	5:57
11) Where The Boats Come In	Nattrass	2:17
12) Sunny Side Up	Nattrass	4:56
13) String of Pearls	Nattrass	2:41

Most mixes engineered by Dave Highett, others by Dennis Nattrass

Mastered by Brad Wann

Produced by Wah Wah Willie

Photography by DN

All songs written, arranged and performed by Dennis Nattrass

Additional vocals: Cate McEwan and Lynda Legradi