David Wilson

FIG Voices, a partnership between WXPN and FIG Magazine, continues its spotlight of Central PA artists this week with David Wilson. Based in Lancaster, the country-tinged singer-songwriter caught the ear of XPN’s Helen Leicht when he released his sophomore EP Black Top Road earlier this summer.


About album’s opening track, Helen writes:

“David’s song “Simple Mind (The Student Loan Song)” caught my attention. His voice is warm and he shares the message of the stress that the college graduates are dealing with today. Listening to his music, I hear influences from James Taylor and Jason Isbell!” - The Key - WXPN

Full-length from the local singer-songwriter. Simple arrangements, mostly just guitar and Wilson's voice, both of which shine — his vocals at times recall James Taylor. While the minimal arrangement works, it also brings to mind the question of what these songs would sound like with a full band — after a few songs, solo acoustic guitar can start to beg for accompaniment. Wilson's folky writing often feels like it's on the verge of greatness: He's got clear talent, but often on this album, he falls back on folk-rock tropes and generalities. What would really put his writing over the edge is going more specific and emotional, or else more abstract — either would be good, it's trying to stay in between that can make music, especially in the crowded singer-songwriter field, fall flat. All that having been said — a really good effort, from a promising young musician who we'll be hearing plenty more from. - Pittsburgh City Paper

Last year Wordkrapht featured Pennsylvanian-born singer/songwriter, David Wilson, when we reviewed his album, Songs from Wood Street, and we’re delighted to bring you his latest EP, Black Top Road one year later. Those smooth, calming vocals return on this four track EP with songs that are written in Wilson’s trademark style painting pictures for his listeners and providing a romantic undertone in a world where it’s sometimes hard to see the light through dark times.2637089

Black Top Road kicks off with the quick paced, catchy, country with a dash of rock style “Simple Mind (The Student Loan Song).” The title of this track is enough to interest most people because student loans are a very familiar topic to most of us. With a hint of Paul Simon and Tom Petty in his vocals, Wilson will have listeners chuckling as they listen to the way he describes this harsh reality in a fun, lighthearted way with lyrics like “Lord please help my simple mind, it’s worth a hundred grand.” The local Philadelphia music scene even took notice to this standout track when it got airplay on WXPN, a radio station known for showcasing local and national artists.

On “River Town,” Wilson’s vocals take on a familiar tone very similar to James Taylor, enough to have listeners double checking the name of the artist on the song that’s currently playing through their speakers. Wilson creates a mental picture of a rundown town where the people have left one by one over the years, and he has been left behind. Before you can feel bad for this poor soul, Wilson puts a romantic twist to this story with poetic lyrics like, “My love wells up and floods the banks, and my heart makes me forget the pain, of everything that’s left behind and this river town that’s running dry.”

Wilson continues to put an idyllic spin on unpleasant tasks like driving home after a long day in the office on the Americana style song, “PA 41.” When he sings, “the road that’s leading to the one I love, down on 41,” it’s clear that not only is Wilson’s wife a lucky lady to have this charming voice singing to her, but there’s no doubt that he is quite smitten with the love of his life and he proves it with his songwriting.

The last track of Black Top Road, “Philadelphia,” has also been featured on WXPN. With a much slower vibe, and Wilson taking a moment to showcase his skills in an impressive guitar solo midway through the song, it’s apparent that he is expressing his love and appreciation to an area he has settled in.

The Philadelphia area is clearly where David Wilson is meant to be and by the looks of his touring schedule, he is making a name for himself as a respected singer/songwriter with many years ahead of him. Black Top Road is another reminder of how gifted and well rounded of a musician Wilson is as he produces an EP with a variety of styles that will have his fans waiting patiently for the next album to be released. - Wordkrapht

Sometimes all you need in life is a man with his guitar. The simplistic beauty of those two factors is something we take for granted at times. The idea that these two can create something so pure and enjoyable is mind-blowing if you really think about it. Pennsylvanian-born singer/songwriter, David Wilson, is one person who does not take his voice and musical talents on the guitar for granted.

His latest album, Songs from Wood Street, presents a man with soothing vocals that will ease the soul and who also has an undeniable trace of James Taylor in his voice. Not only does Wilson have a voice you can listen to for days, but he has the gift of writing lyrics that create a mental imagery that will have you easily painting a picture in your mind of the story he is telling through music.

A highlight on Songs from Wood Street is by far, the ballad, “Ghost.” Peaceful strums from the guitar go along with Wilson’s quiet, calming voice that will have the listener drifting away. The best line on the entire album would have to be “the fire of love grew dark because our tears fell on the flames.” These poetic lyrics follow the theme to this sad love story Wilson is sharing about the ghost of a love that still lingers long after it’s gone, but you can’t help but focus more on the beauty of the song. He chooses the words to this song with such delicacy making sure that every word brings his story to life.

Wilson shows another side to his music on “Be My Darlin’,” with more of a country influence. His vocals even take on a country vibe adding a hint of twang into his voice. The track is fast paced with quick strumming on that acoustic guitar. He adds in some harmonies during the chorus which give you another reason to fall in love with his music.

Songs from Wood Street is the perfect album to press play while sitting around that campfire on a cool summer’s night. David Wilson has proved that all you need are a voice and an acoustic guitar to bring to life an album worth listening to over and over again. We can bet that his guitar playing alone will lure the listener to his next live show just to have the opportunity to be mesmerized by his talent. - Wordkrapht