Review- Scott Ashworth: Ghosts and Broken Men
It is a foregone conclusion that Country, Folk, and Americana music has at least some of its roots in the music of the American South and Appalachian traditional music. In the 1917 publication “English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians,” folklorist Cecil Sharp describes, “The present inhabitants …are the direct descendants of the original settlers who were emigrants from England and, I suspect, the lowlands of Scotland. …I am unable to say; but it is fairly safe, I think, to conclude that the present-day residents of this section of the mountains are the descendants of those who left the shores of Britain some time in the eighteenth century.” It is no surprise then, that Scott Ashworth, hailing from Denny, Falkirk, Scotland makes his way to The Amp’s pages with his debut LP, Ghosts and Broken Men.
Echoing the sentiment held by many other Independent and American artists, Ashworth cites such influences as Townes Van Zandt, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, Jason Isbell, Travis Meadows, and Lori McKenna. Many American fans (and friends) know Scott in relation to the Cody Jinks fandom, and Scott is ok with that. In fact, he says, “If Cody Jinks wants to pick up and record “The Ghost,” which is what I’ve heard in my head since I wrote it, then that would be pretty cool.”
With years of local gigs, digital singles, and a grassroots following bolstered by Facebook Live performances during the Pandemic under his belt, Scott has compiled a musical diary of the human experience in Ghosts and Broken Men. Drawing on his experiences in the Royal Air Force, and those of a civilian husband, father, and son, and nearly 14 years of sobriety, Scott has crafted a collection that truly has something for everyone. Scheduled for independent release on February 15, the track list features 11 original songs as well as friends and frequent collaborators Barry Frame producing and a co-write with Billy Sayle of Greenwood, Mississippi.
In production since pre-COVID, Ashworth says that the hardest part in getting Ghosts and Broken Men off the ground was working part-time on a full-time project: “both myself and Barry the producer have full time jobs so it was all done as and when we could find time. Add in Covid and the whole process took a LONG time!”
“Never See Color Again” is counted among one of Scott’s favorite tracks, and he says “I love how the track has evolved from an acoustic track into the horn-driven bluesy/soul number it is now. I really love the arrangement.” Longtime fans and friends will be both familiar and delightfully surprised with updated recordings of “Never See Colour Again” as well as “Happy Man.” Both songs draw on Ashworth’s personal experiences and struggles with mental health and addiction. These are themes that run throughout the album. Love and loss, and their collective effects on the soul are also heavily featured, particularly in the striking duet with Laura Begley “Sinking Silently.” This track brings new perspective to the dilemma often faced by those suffering from addiction and their loved ones: Begley’s gentle but resigned tone describes making a choice between her lover and her mental health, while Ashworth sings about the realization that she’s not coming back.
“Love Ain’t Around Anymore” is a beautifully rendered ballad that expands on the realization of the loss. With a backing track that’s all Traditional Country, Scott sings,x`2 “I said ‘it’s ok, I know that you don’t feel the way that you did before / and I know you gotta go, ‘cause love ain’t around anymore.’”
“Weight of My Sins” is equal parts light and heavy with a toe-tapping rhythm and a whistle-along melody, but also a message about the choices we make making us part and parcel of who we are.
While I absolutely loved the new incarnation of “Happy Man,” a song that Scott says is “close to [his] heart as it was the first song [he] ever wrote, some 13/14 years ago,” my personal favorite track on this album is “Calling Out Your Name,” the song co-written with Billy Sayle, featuring an ethereal, springtime guitar solo by John Elliott. The lyrics speak to the personal redemption in Love found at last, the endless depth of that feeling, and the pervasive wonder and hope that we have, confident that this Love will transcend Time and the Beyond.
“Sinking Silently,” along with “Running From Tomorrow” and “The Ghost” have heavy modern Country vibes, thanks in large part to the pedal steel mastery provided by Steven Hicken, Jr., while “Never See Colour Again” goes straight for a funky Blues sound with a lead guitar riff and an unexpected but perfectly fitting horn section provided by Andrew Hooley, Damian Cook and Ben Cummings. The album players are rounded out by Dave Cantwell on drums, Iain Donald on bass, and Andrew Alston on piano, organ, and harmonica. Producer Barry Frame also makes significant contributions with instrumental arrangement, composition, and playing lead, rhythm, and bass guitars as well as piano.
I asked Scott if there was anything that he would want a listener to know about this album. He replied “No, I’d rather they just take whatever they take from it. As someone once said ‘once you release an album, the songs and stories are no longer your songs and stories, as each listener makes them their own.’”
After innumerable spins, I find that there is still so much to appreciate (and make my own) on this album, from the slick production to soul-baring lyrics to even the playing itself speaking volumes about the subject of the song they underscore. Albums like this make me wish that liner notes were still a common enclosure in physical CDs; a study of Ashworth’s lyrics could lend an even greater depth to the meaning and feeling behind the songs. This is Americana at its best, proving that Americana doesn’t need to be American to be great.
Ghosts and Broken Men will be available February 15 via
- Spotify
- Pre-save at DistroKid:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/scottashworth/ghosts-and-broken-men-2/?fbclid=IwAR2S4UN2spHvchef3N10wIOs2OiVTBVqW3LNwG2T2XOCLEsKPKvE1hHq-ro
- Physical copies will be available through Scott’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/scott.ashworth.509
- Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/ScottAshworthMusic
