Anthony Wilson: Frogtown

Anthony Wilson is surely one of today’s most versatile, creative, and chameleonic guitarists. A longtime member of Diana Krall’s band, he’s played with the likes of Paul McCartney and Willie Nelson and worked with some of Brazil’s finest; he’s also led a nonet, guitar quartet, and a trio with a Hammond organ and drums. On Frogtown Wilson moves into singer-songwriter territory, adding his voice to six of the record’s 13 tracks. With a stellar group beside him, including drummer Jim Keltner on several tunes and Charles Lloyd’s sax on “Your Footprints,” Wilson weaves a coherent, personal, and jazz-inflected album. Starting with “She Won’t Look Back,” he shows his imagery as lyricist (“Leave your burden/Set down your pack/And don’t look back”) before moving to the jaunty wit of the title track. On the turbocharged “Silver and Flint” he struts his considerable guitar ability, and the ballad “Our Affair” showcases his easy, redwood-toned voice. Wilson has recorded for the audiophile label Groove Note, and his records are generally excellent sounding. Frogtown is open and airy, with a relaxed, warm clarity that suits the music. Instruments are beautifully captured tonally and texturally, and Wilson’s voice is nicely integrated with the unfussy mix.