Anthony Wilson - Frogtown (2016)

“Frogtown,” a new album of original instrumental and vocal songs, is guitarist Anthony Wilson’s widest-ranging work to date, and his debut as a vocalist.

Wilson enlisted Grammy-winning producer/bassist Mike Elizondo (Gary Clark Jr., Kimbra, Ry Cooder), a longtime friend and musical colleague, to help him realize this collection of layered and personal sonic stories.

Featuring a cast of renowned musicians — drummers Jim Keltner and Matt Chamberlain, violinist Petra Haden, and keyboardists Patrick Warren and Josh Nelson — each song on “Frogtown” evokes a distinct feeling and landscape, and takes the listener someplace new.
Virtuosic guitar and ensemble work, well-made songs and detailed arrangements, and intimate vocals are the driving forces of the album.

An album highlight is the song “Your Footprints” — written by Wilson with songwriter Dan Wilson (Adele, Taylor Swift, Semisonic) — featuring a special guest appearance from iconic jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd.
The collaboration with Lloyd alludes to Wilson’s deep jazz roots, and evokes memories of his father, the late, great composer/bandleader Gerald Wilson.

Other songs summon varied musical influences — FM radio of the 1970’s, Ry Cooder’s diverse body of work, children’s rhymes, guitar styles from the 1920’s to the present day.

“Frogtown” travels into, through, and beyond genres; the album's melodies and lyrics guide the listener through tender and complex emotional landscapes.

Anthony Wilson steps confidently into the center of the frame for this musical and personal portrait.

Tracklist:

01. She Won't Look Back (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren & Jim Keltner)
02. Frogtown (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Jim Keltner, Daniel Rosenboom, Bob Reynolds & Adam Schroeder)
03. Your Footprints (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Matt Chamberlain, Charles Lloyd & Petra Haden)
04. Occhi Di Bambola (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Matt Chamberlain & Petra Haden)
05. Silver and Flint (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Jim Keltner, Matt Chamberlain & Josh Nelson)
06. Our Affair (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Matt Chamberlain & Petra Haden)
07. The Cares of a Family Man (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Matt Chamberlain & Petra Haden)
08. Mopeds (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Matt Chamberlain & Petra Haden)
09. Arcadia (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Jim Keltner, Petra Haden & Jesse Harris)
10. The Geranium (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Jim Keltner & Josh Nelson)
11. Shabby Bird (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Matt Chamberlain & Petra Haden)
12. I Saw It Through the Skylight (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Jim Keltner, Daniel Rosenboom, Bob Reynolds & Adam Schroeder)
13. Downtown Abbey (feat. Mike Elizondo & Patrick Warren)