Willy and the Planks
Lebanon, TN | Established. Jan 01, 2017
Music
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...Mark Noble has a Great Voice and the music is Outstanding!!
...Intense. Could not take my ears off it. Great!!!
...Very Nice! Great tone & playing!!
...Great (Re)interpretations...Love the Slide! -
WILLY AND THE PLANKS â WILLY AND THE PLANKS
BY JER@SBSSEPTEMBER 25, 2017220
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Willy And The Planks â Willy And The Planks â Album Review
Meet Willy And The Planks â these guys know whatâs up with the blues. Bringing out the sound of the deep south, the Tennessee-based three-piece have the right recipe in place for music you can FEEL â and at the heart of it all, thatâs what the blues are all about, ainât it? Formed around the talents of guitarist Willy Gibbs, Willy And The Planks, they get it; solid talent needs solid support â and Willyâs found that through the rhythm section of Mark Noble (Bass, Vocals) and Chris Gibbs (Drums). Together, these guys roam through the blues with confidence, style and ambitious material on their new self-titled album.
Overall, theyâve got a good thing goinâ on here. It becomes apparent just how well this band knows itself early on in the album as they speed-up & slow-down tempos in progressive structures that keep the themes lyrically-rooted in the blues while providing a real contrast through the often lighthearted approach to the sound of the music. What sounds impressive the entire time is their ability to keep their movements so unified and in-step with each otherâŚeach member understands where the other players are headed at all times and when to take a moment in the spotlight or support a wild solo. I mean, yeah, of course when it comes to a recording, you get that time to practice-up and get it right â but whatever, I still think there are audible clues you can hear in a bandâs music that point to whether or not they fully gel as a bandâŚand these guys clearly do. I not only hear a bunch of great blues tunes on the new Willy And The Planks record, but I hear the genuine passion of three guys that really WANT to do this music-thangâŚand quite honestly, that enthusiasm you hear in their music sounds freakinâ great!
Willy And The Planks often keep the vocals simplified, rhythmic and effective. They certainly hold their own in every situation that presents itself along the way with big, bold tones or the perfect matching energy to the music surrounding themâŚtheyâre written somewhat classically, traditionallyâŚnot necessarily so much as âsafeâ as they are completely appropriate for the grooves being supplied. âKeep Your Hands Off That Girlâ is a solid example of what I mean right off the bat in the recordâs opening-tune; theyâre still a main feature of this first song, but you can hear that the instrumentation drives the music of this band. The vocals drift in & out, taking part almost at will on âKeep Your Hands Off That Girlâ and coming into the song at somewhat unpredictable timesâŚand like a great blues-band is inclined to do, theyâre often used as an additional rhythm-line & instrument to add to the ideas we hear in the music. âKeep Your Hands Off That Girlâ eases us into the album with an inviting and smooth roll through the blues, sliding guitar tones from Willy ringing out captivatingly while the rhythm section holds the fort with compelling parts of their own. Just as many hooks in the music or more than the impressively expressive vocals supply, they do a great job of achieving real balance in their writing & performances to put everyone in the spotlight for at least a moment or two to put their chops on the table for all to hear.
As if on cue to support my theories about why I like this crew, âThe Dark Side Of Meâ comes up next on the record. I mentioned that unified-sound of this band and the way their music moves, and this is a highlight example of what I meant by that. The timing is complex, the sound is still massively accessible â and they stay together the entire time as one entity, one vision, one unit. Are they on-time the entire way through? I meanâŚyouâd be looking at a whole host of potential âartistic blues-licenseâ arguments for any slight wandering or be taking part in the musical-equivalent of splitting the atom trying to figure out where any tiny slips in time would exist â but what makes that issue a non-factor completely is the fact that these guys move TOGETHER. Whether speeding-up or slowing-down, Willy And The Planks are there for each other in support musically and always ready to fill in the gaps or take the weight; everything still sounds like itâs right where it should be and belongs as the song flows. âThe Dark Side Of Meâ is a great tune for Mark Noble personally, lots of room for those meaty bass-lines and massive tones in the vocals and he takes on a challenging song with resounding confidence. Excellent solo from Willy just past the two-minute mark, love the tones on the guitar and his approach to the instrument itselfâŚdefinitely a talented man. Quite often, itâs that reliable stability of the rhythm section that allows him to wander and roam through those wild solosâŚand thatâs ultimately what you want when you have a feature skill like this that can pull people right into the band.
Case in-point, âMiss Maybelleâ â arguably one of the most fun cuts on this entire record, largely due to the absolutely hook-laden guitar-lines laid down by Willy here. Technique and groove combine perfectly hearâŚthose harmonic tones are off-the-charts amazing, the main riff is playful and powerfulâŚthe grinding rip of the slide is as charismatic as music can get â everything about this track beckons you to listen. Crisp & clean hits from Chris on the throne punctuate the rhythm & groove of âMiss Maybelleâ and they take it to the next-level in the vocals as well, sounding more confident than ever in this more lighthearted-side of the blues. Smart tune thoughâŚlove the subtle hats on the way into the song, and the insightful amount of real definition theyâve placed into each part of the music â they sound fully in control and like theyâre having just as much fun playing âMiss Maybelleâ as we do listening to it. An early highlight on the record that I canât imagine anyone not enjoying â this is pure fun & great sound combined through real skill and solid entertainment.
Wild Bill And The Wood continue their new album by heading into the most blues-steeped cut of the set, directly in the middle with âYou Got Me Cryin.â Definitely more on the traditional-side of what you know from the genre here, doesnât mean they sound any less jazzed about the blues theyâre making â âYou Got Me Cryinâ is expertly performed with real feel. LikeâŚif there are blues-fans out there looking for that specific track that they know exists and are just waiting to love on the record, chances are, this is a strong candidate to be that cut. While they might not be reinventing the wheel here, not much of the blues tends to as a genre with such deep roots of respect for the style & sound, the most important thing becomes keeping that roll flowing smoothlyâŚand thatâs where Willy And The Planks are doing things RIGHT on âYou Got Me Cryin.â As a reviewer, Iâve certainly heard many a song that reminds me of this tune along the way in the blues genre â but what gives Willy And The Planks the edge is that degree of purity that you can hear in the way they play that tells your ears they really feel these songs. That passion is contagious in all the right ways when we listen and it plays to their advantage when hearing songs that seem more familiar in style like âYou Got Me Cryin.â Everything is stunningly clear in the music, movement and pace of this cutâŚreal blues hereâŚthese three wear this sound really well.
They haul out an added dose of blues-cool through the slow-burning energy of âLonely Town Lonely Streetsâ â a track I felt like was a real highlight in this set. Something about the commitment to the sound and style of this subtle groove has the band sounding tighter than everâŚnot even sure I can put my finger on what that is. They might just know this one better than the restâŚeven on an album where theyâve sounded in-step with each other the whole time, they really hit the mark here and raise the bar once again with âLonely Town Lonely Streets.â Standout vocals, great rhythmic bass-linesâŚlove the subtle crunch of the gain on the guitar tonesâŚreally impressive drums that keep this cut low-key and still moving expressively and vibrantly throughout. We donât always need to know exactly how to say in words what music makes us feel â sometimes we just feel it when a song really connects to us; âLonely Town Lonely Streetsâ was that track for me. Great atmosphere and depth on this tune.
âI Feel Good Little Girlâ has a jam-style feel to its bluesy-flow, Willy And The Planks are definitely locked-in to their sound at this point on the record and continuing to deliver the good-times. I didnât personally feel strongly one way or the other about âI Feel Good Little Girlâ but certainly can acknowledge that they play this one just as well as any other. I suppose at the end of the day, this tune is a lot more spread-out musicallyâŚkind of moseys alongâŚitâs got energy and it has that lighthearted approach to the blues that worked for Willy And The Planks earlierâŚstill a solid tune. One of the shortest cuts on the record, you can hear the guys are into it just as much as the restâŚthey play it well, just a bit of a sleepier cut by comparison to the rest I guess, thatâs what Iâm saying there. But where thereâs a lull in energy, you can usually best bet that it serves to amplify the track to followâŚespecially at an albumâs endâŚ
Adding in a bit of energy and a lot more soul, Willy And The Planks bring the album home in fine fashion with a smooth stroll through their final cut, âSee That My Grave Is Kept Clean.â Lyrically, this is my favorite of the bunchâŚtheyâre still keeping it simple but executing so well. Mark Noble is letting it RIP on this final track vocallyâŚby far his most engaging performance right here at the end and heâs had a good run the entire record through. Itâs like the singing-equivalent of backing up to take a full sprint towards somethingâŚyou can hear Noble get more and more inspired with each line of each verse and the power of his voice increases right along with it. Guitars have great character and personality to them, drum beats are subtle, on-point & crispâŚthe bass keeps the rhythm rolling right along smoothly in a highly accessible and inviting groove that takes its minimal ingredients for a real ride youâre certain to dig. âSee That My Grave Is Kept Cleanâ closes the record with clarity and rhythm, keeping the most captivating aspects of their music on full display and leaving us with a completely favorable impression of what Willy And The Planks are all about. These guys were into it and having fun â as result, so was I as a listener; they put in the passion in skill and got themselves right into each moment for every song on the record and thatâs pretty much all we can ever ask right? Theyâve got a great grip on their soulful approach to the blues and what appears to be a genuine want to truly entertain you â so letâem!
Find out more about Willy And The Planks at their official homepage at: http://www.willyandtheplanks.com
TAGSALBUMWILLY AND THE PLANKS - sleepingbagstudios.ca
Willy And The Planks Bring That Raw, Organic, Juke Joint Style Blues On Self-Titled Album
by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman September 21, 2017 1:13 pm
Tagged With: Blues, blues rock, delta blues, juke joint blues
Willy and The Planks
Lebanon, Tennessee natives Willy & The Planks have delivered a collection of delicious and tasty blues rockinâ, juke joint infused jams on their self-titled new album.
If you know me, you know how much I love the blues. Willy & The Planks just gained a new fan. This stuff is GOOOOOOOD! To make it even sweeter, this sonic deliciousness has been brewing not far from home!
My favorite thing about the blues is that you receive equal amounts of human emotion from opposite ends of the spectrum. Love and pain collide head on for an aural experience that sounds just as good coming from Willy & The Planks in 2017 as it did waaaaay back when Robert Johnson found himself at the crossroads.
Southern grit, Delta attitude, rock aesthetics and passionate songwriting plus musicianship result in a solid, cohesive blues record which deserves a home in every blues lovers collection. Willy & The Planks is an album you can come back to time and time again without a second thought.
Sweet guitar tones (Willy Gibbs), hypnotic rhythms (Chris Gibbs), and groovinâ bass (Mark Noble, also vocals) unite with that beautiful, down South, Mississippi River runninâ, Memphis spiced, juke joint sound for song after song of consistent listening pleasure.
All seven tracks get two thumbs up from me.
Willy & The Planks (the album) is playing on Soundcloud or you can listen below.
The video for See That My Grave is Kept Clean can be viewed above or on YouTube.
Connect directly with Willy & The Planks (the band) on FB or their official website. - Middle Tennessee Music
Willy and the Planks â the distinctively hard-driving Mississippi sound
Posted By: Jacob AidenPosted date: September 28, 2017in: ReviewsNo Comments
Willy and the Planks seem to have been purveying their brand of Juke Joint Blues for a while, yet their music is fresh and original. Their latest self-titled disc, continues the trend as it delivers seven tracks of lively music that is built around their unique sound. It is arguably one of the best recordings of its kind that has come across my desk this year. The bandâs core includes Willy Gibbs (Guitar), Mark Noble (Vocal/Bass), and Chris Gibbs (Drums) â all of them exposed to the distinctively hard-driving Mississippi sound. Some bands prefer the control of a recording studio to achieve the sound theyâre looking for, while others are all about playing live, feeding off the audience and ratcheting up the intensity.
Willy and the Planks sound clearly the latter type of musicians. Their playing is joyous, high-energy affairs that demonstrate their musicianship â Willyâs guitar is right up there with the very best in the business and Chris is a talented drummer, while Mark brings his distinctive bourbon-tinged vocal cords to the table â as well as their deep knowledge of and respect for American roots blues music.
Still, creating new music in the studio is essential to expanding any bandâs repertoire of material, so the boys take an impressive and important step forward with this recording. The comrades shuffle tried-and-true elements of the blues sound, the fervent vocal intonations combined with gritty guitar, propulsive drums and the earthy tones of bass all imparting a ring of truth to the opening song âKEEP YOUR HANDS OFF HERâ.
Immediately following, the muddy wail of Willyâs electric guitar hearkens to the Mississippi Delta together with the intense intonations of Mark, the combination of which works to render contemporary âTHE DARK SIDE OF MEâ and, by extension, the band itself.
âMISS MAYBELLEâ, a blues standard, is given an intensive and alternative take by the power trio, before the insistent twists and turns of gritty guitar, bass and drums, on âYOU GOT ME CRYINâ, exhibit the lessons absorbed by Willy and the Planks, during an influential blues upbringing. As does the familiar tone and attack of âLONELY TOWN LONELY STREETSâ where roots flavors the mix via the rousing guitar thatâs further uplifted by the urgent drumming.
In contrast, Markâs voice conjures much of the portentous air during âI FEEL GOOD, LITTLE GIRLâ an atmosphere made all the more ominous with a throbbing bass line; like many of the surrounding cuts, this track thrives on its vibrant core sound, and a similar economy permeates the one immediately following, âSEE THAT MY GRAVE IS KEPT CLEANâ, the EPâs selected single. The spontaneity of the performance sinks in, along with the combination of gravitas and glee that permeates the recording as a whole.
Too often bands try to adapt or evolve to conform to the whims of the modern music scene, and in the end, forget who they are and from where they came. Fortunately, Willy and the Planks have mastered the art of blending tradition with contemporary influences; while mature and polished, the band maintains a ruff nâ raw, core rocking blues style and keeps it fresh and exciting. With this self-titled release, Willy and the Planks prove they are stalwarts of the authentic blues realm.
OFFICIAL LINKS: Facebook â Website â SoundCloud â YouTube - JamSphere
WILLY AND THE PLANKS HAVE GOT SERIOUS JUKE JOINT BLUES PEDIGREE!
Willy and the Planks. Remember that name, that odd in a way sounding name for a bluesy-bunch-of-back-woods-front-porch Juke Joint Blues geniuses. This was the first time I ever laid...
by Staff September 28, 2017
Willy and the Planks. Remember that name, that odd in a way sounding name for a bluesy-bunch-of-back-woods-front-porch Juke Joint Blues geniuses. This was the first time I ever laid ears on them, and I was sprung wide open to more of their bust down the doors, now get-real and rowdy music. Their self-titled album is blood boiling music, if you havenât felt your toes in a while, well- theyâll start tapping, your knees will get in on it too and before long, youâll be jiving; kind of naughty and nice like. There is nothing like risking life and limb driving the Mass turn pike, but with Willy and the Planks blaring, raw and electrifying- before you know it youâll be cruising and brother.
Willy Gibbs (Guitar), Mark Noble (Vocal/Bass), and Chris Gibbs (Drums) are the fresh air that the blues has been needing â well thought out lyrics, refreshing energy. The amount of music coming out of only 3 instruments is quite amazing, and I was quite impressed that their energy shone through on a studio album. If you like your blues delivered with swampy blues-rock sweat, Mississippi roots and music that rolls in like the Appalachian Mountains, you are going to embrace Willy and the Planks with open arms.
Right from the beginning, as the album opens up with âKEEP YOUR HANDS OFF HERâ, you know you are getting the real deal here. Cacophonous, moody, soulful and compelling. One of the yearâs best, straight from the roots of the blues to your ears. The quality of the songs is subordinate to the desire to whip it up, because blues and boogie is mostly about atmosphere.
Hence, special praise for the sound, which seems to have bypassed all the desire of engineers and producers to âclean things upâ. I became a convert literally upon hearing the first two cuts of this album. Itâs powerful, raw, with attitude and deep, deep groove.
By the time you hit the third track, âMISS MAYBELLEâ, itâs obvious that Willy and the Planks have got serious pedigree but that only gets you so far; you still have to prove youâve got something to say, and it needs to be said well. âYOU GOT ME CRYINâ does just that, both vocally and musically. Markâs vocals, Willyâs brilliant guitar and Chrisâ drum groove may cause you to keep hitting the ârepeatâ button.
But, actually, the same can be said about the entire album. I was instantly struck by their authenticity and how they yank that soulful blues vibe kicking and screaming into the 21st century. âLONELY TOWN LONELY STREETSâ and âI FEEL GOOD, LITTLE GIRLâ is the perfect medium for the talents of Willy and the Planks as the songs provides an opportunity for each of the band members to do what they do best â inject energy and mood into their music with as much passion as they can deliver.
Most significant is their ability to project live sound groove and energy into their studio recordings, as can be heard on âSEE THAT MY GRAVE IS KEPT CLEANâ, with complete mastery of their instruments and vocals. Like the old blues-men who preceded them, Willy and the Planks never forget where they come from. They walk the blues road holding their roots firmly in hand while following their art and passion into new, uncharted territory.
OFFICIAL LINKS: Facebook â Website â SoundCloud â YouTube
TAGSJUKE JOINT BLUESSEE THAT MY GRAVE IS KEPT CLEANWILLY AND THE PLANKSCATEGORIESFEATURES SHARE THIS ARTICLE OLDER ARTICLE WILL DIEHL: âGIVE IT TIMEâ LYRICALLY EMPOWERS MANY OTHERS TOO! by Staff - Sep 27, 2017 NEXT ARTICLE
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Willy & The Planks Play Juke Joint Blues With Spunk & Hypnotic Blues
1
OCT
With their newest album, entitled Willy & The Planks, the overall sound of this band is nothing short of Mississippi and Tennessee influenced bluesy sound. The musical talents of Willy Gibbs on the guitar, Mark Noble on the bass, and Chris Gibbs on the drums, reflect the genuine love of music and affinity for the craft of blues music all in one. The song lyrics of the track below describe the novelty in the south and the environment, feel good feelings, and overall nostalgia wrapped around the music itself. If listening to the track is not enough, viewing the music video for this track will have you feeling in a whole different blues world and takes you along the fun feeling fueled journey. - The Music Court
Willy And The Planks â Self-Titled Review
September 21, 2017 Ryan Donnelly CD Reviews
Make way for the smoky smooth Juke Joint Blues style of the talented Willy and the Planks!
This new musical act from the deep south of Lebanon Tennessee has just released their first self-titled album on September 5th, and it is guaranteed to sink its groovy teeth right into your music loving heart. Fronted by the emotion-soaked vocals of Mark Noble, this foot stomping trio has succeeded in making sure that their listeners are focused on the depth of the lyrics, as much as the heart and soul found in each track on this inspired album.
Currently promoting their brand new single See That My Grave Is Kept Clean, Willy and the Planks are making sure that new listeners know exactly what Juke Junk Blues is all about.
The band has been heard saying âJuke Joint Blues; its real, its life, and it is like a bite of BBQ thatâs both hot & sweet, itâs both love & pain in every taste!â This is a great way to explain their sound, and See That My Grave Is Kept Clean is the sum of those two polarizing opposites; love and pain. On the first listen, it is hard to choose whether the song is fun or a bit gloomy, or something else entirely, and on the second and third listen, you realize that it is all those things.
Willy Gibbs adds a fresh live sounding slide guitar, while Chris Gibbs on drums makes sure that the song drips with a smoky and brooding atmosphere.
Recently, the band released a brand-new music video for their single, and it doesnât disappoint. Given an effective black and white wash, this video embraces the raw honesty of the band and their intended image, and it pairs well with your favorite whiskey.
Another star player on the album is the opening track Keep Your Hands Off Her. One thing I must give Willy and the Planks credit for, their song titles are great! If you close your eyes while listening to it, I swear, you can see the smoky club you are in, the wood panel walls and dart boards, the pool tables and questionable patrons, and you can see the band having a killer time playing for them all. That is the heart of this band, their ability to create music that feels like it has a real spatial air to it.
I could go on about how much I dig this album, but I will leave the rest up to you, just do me favor, when you do listen to this awesome album, turn it up; loud! - SoundScape
Artist Spotlight: INTRODUCING WILLY AND THE PLANKS
on SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
Willy and the Planks
Introducing Willy and the Planks
From the deep south of Lebanon Tennessee comes the smoky and whiskey stained Juke Joint Blues sound of Willy and the Planks. This groovy trio of heartfelt musicianâs march to the beat of their own drummer on their new self-titled album, and they successfully draw their listeners in with every single inspired track that makes up this new record.
Willy and the Planks is the sum of its talented parts, and those parts can be found in Willy Gibbs on Guitars, Mark Noble on the vocals and bass, and Chris Gibbs on the drums. Together they make no attempts at rushing through to the end of any song they play, it is easy to see that they all care about the methodical journey that playing true Blues music requires to do successfully.
Currently promoting their new single âSee that my grave is kept cleanâ, Willy and the Planks have been busy putting together the finishing touches on its accompanying music video, which can now be viewed on multiple social media platforms, including their website.
This is one of those tracks that sinks its teeth right in, and it pairs well with having a great time!
The name itself offers some introspection, but when you hear the slide guitar riffs, the tactful drumming and the smooth and smoky vocals, you are drawn straight into the importance of the lyrics being sung.
The video itself is as authentic and honest as this bands approach to making music. Choosing to shoot in black and white, this raw and real video is everything it needs to be to make sure that the song doesnât get lost in translation.
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO HERE!
Willy and the Planks
From Willy and the Planks
âThere are a thousand things that distract us every day. Sometimes, when it all gets to be too much, we try to escape into our musicâ
âEven that can run aground quickly. Now & then, we find ourselves looking for that Special ThangâŚitâs a feeling more than anything; itâs the BLUES! Not that fast lane stuff that blows right by you, this can only be cooked up in the Deep South, this brand of Juke Joint Blues; its real, its life, and it is like a bite of BBQ thatâs both hot & sweet, itâs both love & pain in every taste!â
This is one of those exciting hypnotic blues albums that dares to say, âIf you donât dance, if you donât sing along, and if you donât play air slide guitarâŚYOU AINT LISTENING!â
With killer influences ranging from RL Burnside to Muddy Waters to David Kimrough Jr, one thing is guaranteed; Willy and the PlanksâŚâŚTheyâre gonna wake up your Soul!
Willy and the Planks
Track Listing
1. Keep your Hands off her
2. Darkness inside of Me
3. Miss Maybelle
4. You got me Crying
5. Lonely Town, Lonely Street
6. I Feel Good, Little girl
7. See that my grave is kept clean
You can find Willy and the Planks on Facebook, Soundcloud, YouTube and their official website,
Do you need music promotion? Empire Music Promotions (www.empiremusicpromotions.com) offers result based campaigns aimed at helping you build your own musical empire. Submit your music today!
Purchase our powerful new Music Marketing Book âFrom Indie To Empireâ today on Amazon! BUY IT HERE!
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WILLY AND THE PLANKS OFFER UP SOME HOMECOOKED MUSICAL GOODNESS
RJ Frometa 2 days ago News Leave a comment 6 Views
Have you ever heard of the music style Juke Joint Blues? If not, you can thank Willy and the Planks for inviting you to the party. With the release of their brand new self-titled album, they are making sure that listeners remember just how much fun music can be, while still embracing some serious content.
This hot new musical act from Lebanon, Tennessee, is capturing the hearts of many listeners for the sheer integrity they bring to their songwriting. Every track on this groovy, and grungy, sounding album is both heartfelt and poetic. It is the sort of music that is easily absorbed, and doesnât hang out in the obscure, it is straight to the point, and just a whole lotta fun!
It doesnât take long to see that Willy and the Planks are obviously huge fans of live music, as the album itself effortlessly transports listeners to the late-night hours of a local bar, and not one of those soulless corporate machines either, Iâm talking the sort of bar that the likes of Jim Morrison, Muddy Waters, and David Kimbrough Jr, would appreciate. There is a lot of soul to these tracks, and right now the band is shining a light on their new single titledKeep Your Hands Off Her. Right from the get-go this track hooks you in with a simple, yet effective, guitar riff, courtesy of Willy Gibbs, and the accompanying methodical drum style of Chris Gibbs. When you add on the smoky and instantly classic sound of Mark Noble, what you end up with is a real treat of a fresh sounding new song.
Capturing the raw heart and soul of the band is their new music video for the song titled See That My Grave Is Kept Clean. This black and white beauty is exactly what I would want to see from a band with this very unique sound. Dressed in suits and walking the city streets, this cinematic piece adds to the very song itself. I found myself watching it multiple times just to let it all sink in, and when turned up, it is just a solid track to groove to.
With the popular opinion that music is in decline, and that corporate musicians are in control, it is unique bands like Willy and the Planks that strive to prove that theory wrong. These are the important musicians who create story-driven songs that help you forget about the cynical outlook, and remind you that music should always help you feel more alive.
Willy and the Planks can be found on Facebook, Soundcloud, YouTube and their official website.
by Ryan Donnelly
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Willy and the Planks â S/T
Willy and the Planks - S/T
Keep your Hands off her is the first track on the new self-titled release by Willy and the Planks. This is a powerful blues-rock track that takes up hints of soul and funk. Fans of the style from the 1960s and 1970s will hear newer hints here, as there is a subtle nod to performers like Chris Cornell and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
The Dark Side of Me calls back to the guitar work of performers like Jimi Hendrix and the psychedelic rock of The Doors. Sizzling guitar work, ropy bass lines, and splashy drums unite to make for a track that will stick with listeners long after the last note ceases. You got me Cryinâ is another richly emotive track that tells as much with its instrumentation as it does with the sultry, impassioned vocals. The back and forth between these two elements is a trend that continues along with Lonely Town, Lonely Street.
I Feel Good, Little girl is a track that touches upon a wide swath of artists from as far back as Ray Charles to Stevie Ray Vaughan; the more free-form sound of the bass, guitars, and drums has a fun style to it that is reminiscent of modern jazz.
See that my grave is kept clean is the final statement on this release, and it ties together all the different styles and approaches that Willy and the Plarks showcased previously. Furthermore, it is an integral track for fans to understand where the act may go on follow up recordings. Simply a must-listen, Willy and the Planksâ self-titled release hits hard from the first note to the last.
Top Tracks: Keep your Hands off her, See that my grave is kept clean
Rating: 8.5/10
Willy and the Planks â S/T Album Review / 2017 Self Released / 7 Tracks / http://www.willyandtheplanks.com/ / https://www.facebook.com/willyandtheplanks/
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Author: James McQuiston
Ph.D. in Political Science, Kent State University. I have been the editor at NeuFutur / neufutur.com since I was 15. Looking for new staff members all the time; email me if you are interested. Thanks! View all posts by James McQuiston
Author James McQuiston
Posted on October 8, 2017
Categories Features, Music Reviews
Tags Willy and the Planks, Willy and the Planks self-titled
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WILLY AND THE PLANKS â âWilly and the Planksâ
by Skope ⢠October 21, 2017
Willy and the Planks plays with a psychedelic bluesy grit with their heartfelt self-titled effort. Sung with such fury, the songs work as meditations on a life lived most fully. Neatly referencing the blues greats while still incorporating their own style, Willy and the Planks crafts carefully laid out stories, mere snapshots of what it means to truly be one with the world. Guitar work has a rustic quality, with the right level of energy and twang to it, revealing a great flexibility. Adding to this fervent spirit the percussion has a powerful presence, working on a time-keeping mission as well as an emotional one, incorporating wonderful flourishes into the mix. Further emphasizing this the long-extended cuts further explore more hypnotic pastures.
âKeep Your Hands Off Herâ introduces the album with such style, taking its time in unfurling slowly. Featuring a driving rhythm, the track has a slow-burn quality to it. Even more atmospheric âThe Dark Side Of Meâ goes for a late-night vibe to it at times even veering into a late 60s spirit to it. Hyperactivity pours out of the adventurous âMiss Maybelleâ. Right in the very heart of the album is the true highlight the incredible fire of âYou Got Me Cryinâ. A delicate sly touch drives âLonely Town Lonely Streetsâ forward. Nicely wrapping everything up the humor of âSee That My Grave Is Kept Cleanâ brings the album to a close.
On their self-titled effort, Willy and the Planks sing with such assured experience, resulting in a timeless classic.
http://www.willyandtheplanks.com/
By Michelle Rivera - Skope
Review: Willy and the Planks âWilly and the Planksâ
Willy and the Planks self-titled album âWilly and the Planksâ is truly fantastic - one for the collections.
In their new seven-song album, the band takes on the raw sound of the blues with their uplifting, unique and simply splendid sound. The album begins with the song âKeep Your Hands Off Herâ, which is a terrific romantic-like song that has pure energy, just what we would expect from a Blues-type album. To add to this, the vocalist Mark Nobles has a great energy that is showcased well through his dynamic and simply stunning singing that will keep you on the grounds of this album.
On the other hand, our favourite song of this album would have to be âLonely Town, Lonely Streetsâ, which is a song of place. This song has a great emotional throwback feel, which what this makes this song alongside the rest of the album so connected to the listener. Further on, this song has great production just like the album itself.
Overall, the album is terrific with a great range of songs and a well-developed signature sound. Thus, Willy and the Planks, mark themselves as the band to follow in the world of Blues. They have achieved a great goal with this album, which is to develop a journey with their album. A truly remarkable piece of work by a trio that is very talented. One for the playlists for sure.
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Share - Sound of Now
Willy and the Planks self-titled album âWilly and the Planksâ is truly fantastic - one for the collections.
In their new seven-song album, the band takes on the raw sound of the blues with their uplifting, unique and simply splendid sound. The album begins with the song âKeep Your Hands Off Herâ, which is a terrific romantic-like song that has pure energy, just what we would expect from a Blues-type album. To add to this, the vocalist Mark Nobles has a great energy that is showcased well through his dynamic and simply stunning singing that will keep you on the grounds of this album.
On the other hand, our favourite song of this album would have to be âLonely Town, Lonely Streetsâ, which is a song of place. This song has a great emotional throwback feel, which what this makes this song alongside the rest of the album so connected to the listener. Further on, this song has great production just like the album itself.
Overall, the album is terrific with a great range of songs and a well-developed signature sound. Thus, Willy and the Planks, mark themselves as the band to follow in the world of Blues. They have achieved a great goal with this album, which is to develop a journey with their album. A truly remarkable piece of work by a trio that is very talented. One for the playlists for sure. - Sound of Now
WILLY AND THE PLANKS BRINGING BLUES BACK
Keith ProReview and Video3d agobluesGrave kept CleanPlanksWilly
Willy and The Planks
We are all well aware of the everyday distractions and stresses that get in the way of our forward progress. Music has always been a great way to refocus and let the business of everyday life fade into the background. Sometimes even an escape. Our recent find Willy and The Planks are experts in providing a sound that makes all the problems just seem to fade away.
The three-piece band is based in Lebanon, Tennessee. Together as Willy and The Planks, Willy Gibbs (Guitar), Mark Noble (Vocal/Bass), and Chris Gibbs (Drums) have created their own unique Juke Joint Blues sound that is as catchy as it is chill. It is easy to hear the Mississippi talent and Tennessee traditions melding together into something fresh. The band claims influence from Muddy Waters, RL Burnside, and David Kimbrough Jr.
Willy And The Planks May Save The Blues
Remaining independent, Willy and The Planks are out there working hard to get their new self titled album into as many ears as possible. The hypnotic blues is ready to make you say âIâm alive, and I feel goodâ.
The lead single âSee That My Grave Is Kept Cleanâ is Willyâs take on the much re-recorded song originally recorded in 1928 by Blind Lemon Jefferson. Other versions through the years have been created by The Grateful Dead and BB King.
On Willy and The Planks version there is a modern energy added that draws the listener into the party, even with such a dark subject. The vocals are right there in your face while the bass keeps the track moving forward. An impressive guitar solo punctuates the song with even more amazing talent.
As Blues music has its resurgence throughout the South and now heading North, I think we will be hearing a lot more from Willy and The Planks. Keep up with the band on their WEBSITE. - Indie Band Guru
Willy and the Planks â Willy and the Planks
Oct 21, 2017 | Music | 0 comments
Willy and the Planks plays with a psychedelic bluesy grit with their heartfelt self-titled effort. Sung with such fury, the songs work as meditations on a life lived most fully. Neatly referencing the blues greats while still incorporating their own style, Willy and the Planks crafts carefully laid out stories, mere snapshots of what it means to truly be one with the world. Guitar work has a rustic quality, with the right level of energy and twang to it, revealing a great flexibility. Adding to this fervent spirit the percussion has a powerful presence, working on a time-keeping mission as well as an emotional one, incorporating wonderful flourishes into the mix. Further emphasizing this the long-extended cuts further explore more hypnotic pastures.
âKeep Your Hands Off Herâ introduces the album with such style, taking its time in unfurling slowly. Featuring a driving rhythm, the track has a slow-burn quality to it. Even more atmospheric âThe Dark Side Of Meâ goes for a late-night vibe to it at times even veering into a late 60s spirit to it. Hyperactivity pours out of the adventurous âMiss Maybelleâ. Right in the very heart of the album is the true highlight the incredible fire of âYou Got Me Cryinâ. A delicate sly touch drives âLonely Town Lonely Streetsâ forward. Nicely wrapping everything up the humor of âSee That My Grave Is Kept Cleanâ brings the album to a close.
On their self-titled effort, Willy and the Planks sing with such assured experience, resulting in a timeless classic. - Beach Sloth
Willy and the Planks â See That My Grave Is Kept Clean (single)
OCTOBER 31, 2017 BY THE ARK OF MUSIC 0 COMMENTS
Each member of the Lebanon, Tennessee juke-joint blues trio, Willy and the Planks, has been brought up under careful tutelage; slow-aged in the southern blues traditions like a fine BBQ marinade.
âSchooled by the Masters of North Mississippi and Polished in the Tennessee TraditionâŚ
Willy and the Planks were born in such a placeâŚâ
Consisting of Willy Gibbs (guitar), Mark Noble (vocals, bass), and Chris Gibbs (drums), the members of this outfit have had the privilege of playing with, and learning from, the likes of Little Joe Ayers, David Kimbrough Jr., Artemus Leseur, and many others.
As a trio, theyâve recently done their fans a favor by releasing their debut, self-titled, full-length album, Willy and the Planks, for which, the lead off single is, See That My Grave Is Kept Clean.
Willyâs vintage, pickless finger-style, Markâs smokey vocals, and Chrisâs sharp minimalist rhythm, create that classic juke-joint bluesâfrom bar one. The trackâs deep and historic southern-blues roots echo a defiantly respectful nod to their predecessors; the likes of Junior Kimbrough, ZZ Top, Muddy Waters, and others. Be sure to check out the rest of the album if you get a chance. It only gets better from hereâŚ
âThereâs one kind favor Iâll ask of you
See that my grave is kept cleanâŚâ
Whose lovechild�
Junior Kimbrough meets ZZ TopâŚ
BELOW, you can listen to Willy and the Planksâ single, See That My Grave Is Kept Clean, and connect with their website and social media platforms. Please support Willy and the Planks by visiting them online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music! - The Ark of Music
Discography
Willy and the Planks Debut E.P to be released August 2017...
Photos
Bio
Schooled by the Masters of the Blues and Polished in the Tennessee Tradition...
Willy and the Planks were born in such a place....
Willy and Chris Gibbs, have been privileged in recent years to learn from and play with the offspring of Junior Kimbrough, most notably, David Kimbrough Jr.. Mark Noble, a long time collaborator, with great Hypnotic Blues sensibilities, compliments & completes their overall sound. Willy and the Planks can't help but have the sounds of the Blues all over them. They have soaked in much, and in the process, have come up with a sound both reverent and quite original....Now with the recent release of their critically acclaimed debut EP, Willy and the Planks are poised to bring their particular brand of blues to your town and the world!!
Their flavor of Hypnotic Blues will put you in a trance...Blues that takes you from all that
crazy stuff in the world, to...I'm ALIVE... I FEEL GOOD!!! This band is my new little secret... to be shared with only my closest friends.
There are a thousand things that distract us every day. Sometimes, When it all gets to be too much, we try to escape into our music. Even that can run aground quickly. Now & then, we find ourselves looking for that special Thang... It's a feeling more than anything... it's the Blues...
Not that fast lane stuff that blows right by. This can only be cooked up in the Deep South...Juke Joint Blues... it's Real... It's Life... Like a bite of BBQ that's both Hot & Sweet...it's love & pain in every taste!!
After 10 minutes of listening.... I was dancing like I was in a delta dream... Free from all that ails.
If you don't Dance...If you don't Sing Along... Or play Air Slide Guitar... YOU AIN'T LISTENING!!!
Willy and the Planks........ They're gonna wake up your Soul..........
Band Members
Links