Willy Porter's strengths as a songwriter and acoustic guitarist are showcased in his new CD, Willy Porter has come full circle. It's been a few miles across the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe since the singer and songwriter released his independent debut CD, "The Trees Have Soul," in 1990.
Back then, Porter traveled in his Volkswagen, selling CDs out of the trunk and garnering fans with his original folk tunes.
Porter will perform solo at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at The Mobius, 281 Fourth St., Ashland.
Porter released his second independent CD, "Dog Eared Dream," in 1994. The CD marked his artistic growth as an acoustic guitarist and his developed songwriting perspective. His song "Angry Words" became a staple on adult alternative radio stations across the country.
The success established Porter as a nationally recognized artist, and he signed with Private Music/BMG in 1995. European and American tours with Rickie Lee Jones, Tori Amos and The Cranberries followed over the next year and a half. Changes with the record label in 1997 left Porter's contract in limbo. He regained momentum in 1999 when he signed with the San Francisco-based Six Degrees Records and released his folk-pop hit "Falling Forward." More national tours ensued with legendary artists such as Paul Simon, Sting, Jeff Beck and Jethro Tull.
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Porter's experience with both major and independent record labels led him to start his own, Weasel Records, in 2005.
His latest release, "Available Light," features Porter at the peak of his game as a guitarist, singer, songwriter and recording artist.
Porter comes full circle with "Available Light." Like his debut, "The Trees Have Soul," the new CD is self-produced and issued on his own label. But in the 16 years and the four CDs that separate the two releases, Porter has built on his strengths as an artist.
The songs were not arranged primarily for himself, but for the talents of his touring band. The result is a fuller palette that reflects influences of great bands from the '60s and '70s and the roots of America.
Most of the songs on "Available Light" were written and recorded during a time when terminal illness overtook Porter's father. The work is not dominated by an air of sadness, however, but by hope and redemption. Give the CD a listen at willyporter.com.
Porter will present a solo show at The Mobius. Admission is $12; $10 for students. Call 488-8894.
