DAVID BELDOCK: A View From There

David Beldock is an Americana singer/songwriter who has been appearing with musical partner Peggy Watson in a live trio and on the album Just Like You and Me. He also has co-written many songs with Watson and placed his compositions on her recordings, like her superb A Good Life. As a solo artist, he has released A View from Here, and his latest offering is A View from There.

The new album is a tasty menu of various roots styles with the eleven songs touching many bases; Beldock is a strong singer and excellent guitarist who plays guitar and keyboards while surrounding himself with Watson and other strong local musicians in support.

“Going Down in Roses” gets the set off to a smooth start with its relaxed groove, and Beldock makes the song more special by laying down bluesy acoustic guitar lines in the break. The mood is sustained by the laid-back feel permeating “Crooked Girl,” which was sung by Watson on her last disc and here presents the first-person account of a woman whose life choices and male companions all worked out badly: “When they’re done above you and gone, you know it was only lies.” Another plus on this project is the complete lyrics included with the artwork.

“Gone Just Like a Train” is a ballad that looks back on a life and experiences of wandering in youth, related to the whistling of departing trains, the singer eventually realizing that perhaps he has found his place. The tune is catchy and endearing, given extra amps by nice dobro touches and lifted by strings. In some ways, the next tune, “Other River Song,” is a companion piece to “Gone Just LIke a Train”; it seems to inhabit the same universe, following the wanderings by a river instead of train tracks, but finding a resting place: “Here is my home, and I’m home and I’m home.” It is delivered in an envelope of finely picked acoustic guitar that fits the introspective vibe perfectly.

Beldock quiets things down with “Still Belong to You,” a soft, wistful folk song that laments the loss in the past of a special lover, yearning for yesterday and a do-over to rekindle the flame of their relationship, as cello joins his guitar to echo the sadness. Most of those who drive long distance can relate to Beldock’s next traveling road tune, “Jesus on the Radio.” This highlight relates the solitude of the lone driver, injecting daydreams about visiting kings and queens, as well as “I keep dreaming of Muhammed in a boat upon the sea/ Sitting side by side with Jesus, looking just like you and me.” Watson joins for a duet on “Fall” and it clicks, snagging that moment when two lovers encounter the give and take of their relationship.

Other moments include Beldock’s jazzy tribute to New Orleans, a slick guitar instrumental, and even more music about his sort of “travel vs home” theme. It all adds up to a super listen and a wonderful glimpse of David Beldock’s talents.