Review: Anders Osborne “Picasso’s Villa”
By Hal Horowitz
Apparently you can take the man out of New Orleans, but you can’t take New Orleans out of the man. At least that’s the case with award winning singer/songwriter/guitarist Anders Osborne.
On his 17th (!) full-length album Picasso’s Villa, and first in five years, he again joins with longtime producer/drummer/right-hand man Chad Cromwell along with a distinguished group of established sidemen. Fans remember he did this successfully on his previous release, 2019s Buddha and the Blues. The same basic lineup– including such well-respected session ringers as guitarist Waddy Wachtel, Bob Glaub on bass, and Cromwell, along with veteran Nico Bolas at the boards– brings their professionalism and decades of work supporting others to this terrific eight track set.
The decision to mostly forgo New Orleans musicians, although not the city itself (the previous collection was tracked in California, this was done at NOLA’s Esplanade Studios), behind is worth noting. Although Osborne may not be a household name nationally, he’s an established star in his hometown, having won dozens of local music awards there since 1994s debut. The acclaim has allowed him to choose from the finest, most accomplished players in that city, quite an impressive pool of talent, for many of his past recordings. While some guests, such as Johnny Sansone (on harmonica) and keyboardist Ivan Neville, call New Orleans home, the bulk of the playing falls to those California-based notables.
Regardless, Osborne name-checks enough people and places from his adopted home base throughout these thoughtful rockers (the legendary Coco Robichauex and Decatur St. appear in the opening folk rocker “Dark Decatur Love”), to satisfy anyone who thinks he might have gone off-course by employing those West Coast pros.
There isn’t much here musically that shouts New Orleans; no jazz, blues, or funk. However a thick, swampy vibe hovers over these songs. “Le Grand Zombie” (a tribute to Dr. John, another NOLA musician who utilized various sidemen) and the gritty, slow boil rocking of “Returning to My Bones” keeps Osborne’s sound connected to the iconic city just south of Lake Pontchartrain.
A strong whiff of Crazy Horse is evident throughout. It’s especially noticeable on the sprawling, socio-political diatribe “Bewildered,” a trip through four decades of American history as seen through Osborne’s eyes. “Nothing changes yet nothing stays the same” he concludes as the band roils and boils behind him.
Pre-order Picasso’s Villa Here
Anders Osborne website
“Bewildered”
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