Slaw - Here I Come (2024)

At long last a voice with distinction & with a country-noir riveting tone. This is what I find on the first listen to the debut album & opening track “Here I Come” from Macon, Georgia’s Scott Colson (aka Slaw). The countrified music has a slathering of soul spread throughout this man’s voice. Add to that a haunting creepy fiddle saw swooping in like that fly you can’t catch.

I’m not an advocate of vocal treatments especially when the vocalist has the pipes required naturally. So, the ballad “Heavy Load” with its over-abundant echo maintains its power through Slaw’s voice but is a bit contrived with the embellishment. What saves it is the time change that comes – that picks up the interest quotient noticeably. Fortunately, this isn’t an artist who follows the pop song menu. He uses violins, fiddles & cellos on several songs with finesse & they’re value added to this type of music.

Produced by Shawn Byrne (bass/upright bass/guitar/percussion) in Nashville. The 11 personality-rich Scott Colson (vocals/guitars/harmonica/bgv) original tunes of Here I Come have hooks, interesting time signatures & lots of solid vocal inertia. “Baby Don’t Cry” is lifted higher by the addition of Kayley Hill’s voice throughout this LP. Kayley adds even more soulful layers. A good Slaw cast addition. This music doesn’t need any devices it’s gut-wrenchingly strong & gripping.

With “Don’t Go Down That Road” – a gambling addiction narrative. It’s the best Creedence Clearwater Revival track not written or sung by CCR. It’s a wonderful interpretation of both style & verve that Slaw pulls off the way John Fogerty had done. No posturing but dazzling fervent energy. Great country rocker. Nice to know someone knows how to deliver something like this today.

The song “When It’s Done” is about a man who discovers he’s traded his soul for the health of his sick son. Similar to a classic “Twilight Zone” episode where actor Jack Klugman pleads with God to take him as a substitute instead of his dying soldier son. A singer-songwriter who tackles such an intense scene is worthy of a listen. This isn’t your average song lyric by a hack songwriter. This is music as art. Powerful message, vivid scenario, wonderful sentiment & the ultimate sacrifice — wrapped up in one song. Sung with conviction & excellent musical instincts. Not bad for a debut album.