49 Winchester has been on a remarkable journey these past three years, recently supporting Luke Combs’ European tour and selling out iconic venues across America. That momentum continued with a successful Canadian run alongside Corb Lund. “We were on a slow simmer for a lot of years before things really started to pick up with our last record ‘Fortune Favors the Bold',” says lead vocalist Isaac Gibson. “And this new album is going to do it even bigger.” The album, their fifth studio effort entitled ‘Leavin This Holler,' features collaborations with Virginia-native producer Stewart Myers, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, singer-songwriter Maggie Antone, fiddler Philip Bowen, and guitarist Cole Chafin, who is also the younger brother of founding member and bassist Chase Chafin.
Originating from Castlewood, Virginia, in the heart of Southern Appalachia, 49 Winchester was formed by Gibson, his childhood best friend Chafin, and guitarist Bus Shelton. From their humble beginnings on Winchester Street, the band has always viewed each other as family rather than mere friends, a sentiment Gibson believes contributes to their longevity. Their raucous, live wire shows and the unrelenting determination that brought them to their current level of notoriety have garnered widespread acclaim in the country, Americana, and rock realms. “We’re happy to be doing what we’re doing and never could have imagined doing it on this scale,” says Gibson. “Everyday we’re out there is a blessing for us.”
If you thought that ‘Fortune Favors the Bold' captured a band at the pinnacle of their creative powers than you would be wildly wrong because Gibson and co have taken everything that was great about that album and expanded on it with ambitious verve and passion, refusing to be confined by the genre rules of whatever genre 49 Winchester actually are!
The album opens with the compelling track ‘Favor.' This song, with its upbeat drum rhythm and fiddles, sets an inspiring tone, emphasising resilience and hope. Lead singer Isaac Gibson’s powerful vocals celebrate the enduring spirit of the people of West Virginia and Appalachia. The lyrics, “Tough times don’t last, tough people do,” coupled with the superb production values, create an uplifting and Western-tinged song that resonates deeply with pride for their home state.
Following this, ‘Hillbilly Happy' keeps the momentum going with its lively, bar-room romp feel, reminiscent of a song from the ‘Smokey and the Bandit' soundtrack. Gibson’s lyrics, “It don’t take much to make a hillbilly happy,” continue the theme of hometown pride. The song's rock n’ roll guitars and honky-tonk pianos promise it will become a live classic, with an explosive guitar solo that merges rock n’ roll, country, and rockabilly, culminating in a raucous jam session in the final third that leaves you almost breathless. Similarly, sister song ‘Travelling Band' keeps the energy and the feels right at the forefront of proceedings. Another song about life out on the road, Gibson states ‘We're just a bunch of honky tonking fools,’ on this bar room, live classic song that barrels along at some pace and is a whole bunch of fun too. We find Gibson enjoying long life out on the road but yearning for home, ‘that’s life in travelling band,’ he sings on top of the Jerry Reed-esque instrumentation.
Eslewhere, in songs like ‘Yearning for You,' Gibson shifts focus to his love for his wife, weaving a heartfelt narrative about longing and dedication. Clearly written whilst out on the road, this uptempo tribute combines bar room country and rock n’ roll. Gibson’s touching lyrics, “Keep those home fires burning ‘cause I’m yearning for you,” and the cohesive efforts of the band, highlight the song's personal significance and emotional depth. ‘Rest of My Days,' treads a similar path. It's a classic 49 Winchester song that references life out on the road in which Gibson thanks his wife for staying loyal to him. ‘I’m gonna love you for the rest of my days,’ he sings on this slick, bluesy biographical song about his life, his career and his wife. ‘You took a gamble on a man that was born to ramble,’ he apologises on top of plaintive pedal steel, guitars, keys, horns and 70s Skynyrd vibes that weave together to create a slick, heartwarming and personal song.
The trilogy of songs about Isaac Gibson's love for his wife that can be found on ‘Leavin This Holler' is completed by the anthemic ‘Fast Asleep.' Here we find him watching her as she sleeps, thinking about what a lucky man he is. The verses are melodic, restrained and largely acoustic before a time change and the electric guitars provide a much louder and rockier chorus. It's a cleverly written and uniquely structured song that makes for an intriguing and fascinating listen.
Another song that walks that fine line between meaning and melody is the fabulous ‘Make It Count' which sees Gibson in a reflective mode, pondering on ageing, friendships, and seizing the moment. This track features a slower pace initially, building to an anthemic chorus that inspires listeners to take risks and live life fully. The rich instrumentation, reminiscent of an artist like Bruce Springsteen, provides a lush backdrop for Gibson’s wisdom-filled lyrics, demonstrating his ability to balance meaningful messages with joyous entertainment.
Where 49 Winchester have really pushed the boundaries of their art and creativity, however, is on the two behemoth, 6 minute long tracks ‘Leavin' This Holler' and album closer, ‘Anchor.' The former, featuring Maggie Antone, is a six-minute epic that captures the album’s essence. This song is 49 Winchester’s magnum opus, their ‘Freebird,' their ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.' Blending haunting backing vocals from Antone, searing guitars, and powerful lyrics about a man escaping his small town fate and destiny, ‘Leavin' This Holler' creates a hypnotic, mazy listen reminiscent of an Appalachian ‘Hotel California.' The track's emotional depth and ambitious structure elevate it beyond the confines of country and Americana, showcasing a band at the peak of their creative powers. Antone’s vocals complement Gibson’s raw emotion, culminating in a modern genre classic with a powerful, climactic finish.
Similarly, album closer ‘Anchor' provides the listener with another 6 minute epic that rides the waves of sonic ambition and lyrical prowess, mirroring the turbulent lives of the fishing folk who are the subject of the song. Quieter, sort of folky ‘Stairway to Heaven’ vibes open the song until Gibson screams ‘she’s under the water now’ and the lush guitars and pianos elevate the second verse before things return to just strings and acoustic guitar. ‘Anchor' is an incredibly well structured, clever song that pushes itself beyond the confines of the Country and Americana genre in a way that only the great songs and great songwriters are able to do. This is a band not confined by genre rules or expectations. Think U2 as a touchstone example of a band that is able to produce meaningful yet enjoyable music that pays no heed at all to what the industry or any given genre dictates.
‘Leavin’ This Holler' interweaves three central themes: life on the road, pride in Virginia and Appalachian life, and Gibson’s love for his wife and family. The album builds on the success of ‘Fortune Favors the Bold,' pushing boundaries with its lush instrumentation and ambitious songwriting. Songs like ‘Anchor' and ‘Leavin’ This Holler' highlight the band's growth, presenting a deeply personal and musically rich album that solidifies 49 Winchester’s ever-growing reputation in the genre. This is the sound of a band growing and evolving before your very eyes, folks.
Tracklist: 1. Favor 2. Hillbilly Happy 3. Yearnin' For You 4. Make It Count 5. Leavin' This Holler 6. Fast Asleep 7. Tulsa 8. Rest of My Days 9. Travelling Band 10. Anchor Record Label: New West Records Release Date: August 2nd Buy ‘Leavin' This Holler' right here.
