Redtree Times

“Guitars pine for the fingers of Bill Mize, who makes them weep, sing and roll around like a cat at his feet.  Thumpin’ good acoustic majesty.”

– WDVX , Knoxville. TN

This is one of those fortunate and rare Sunday mornings when I get to share some great music that has a little bit of my own work connected with it. The other day I received a box in the mail with a bunch of CDs from guitarist Bill Mize, who had contacted me months ago about the possibility of using one of my paintings for his newest album. It didn’t take long, after listening to his music and seeing all he’s accomplished, for me to agree to his request. I loved his music and was highly impressed by his resume.

From Bill’s website (billmize.com):

Bill is a past winner of the National Fingerstyle Guitar Competition at The Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas.  Guitar Player Magazine has labeled this event the “U.S. Open of guitar competitions.” Bill received a GRAMMY Award for his collaboration with musician and storyteller David Holt on the recording Stellaluna and has been featured on the popular guitar compilations “Windham Hill Guitar Sampler” by Windham Hill Records and “Masters of the Acoustic Guitar” by Narada Records. In 2009, Bill’s music appeared in the Ken Burns documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” Mel Bay Productions transcribed Mize’s second CD, “Tender Explorations,” into a songbook, and his original compositions have been transcribed for Fingerstyle Guitar and Acoustic Guitar magazines. 

His new album is titled The Southwind and features a balance of Bill’s own compositions and his arrangements of tunes from others, which is a mix of traditional songs and the work of well-known songwriters. For example, there are Bill’s reworkings of old favorites such as Shenandoah and Lonesome Valley (a favorite of mine) as well as Dolly Parton’s Light of the Clear Blue Morning and Dan Fogelberg’s Old Tennessee.

It’s a really satisfying group of work, showing off Bill’s considerable talents as both a player and composer. Just plain good stuff, which if you read this blog on a regular basis, is the highest praise for me. The album also plays into my own mindset for my work.  I painted with it playing yesterday and found that it was the perfect accompaniment. It was like riding on a light breeze. I guess The Southwind is an appropriate title.

I should also note that Beth Bramhall, Bill’s wife, played on this album and arranged the song He’s Gone Away. Beth is a pianist/accordionist and an Emmy Award winning composer. Lots of talent in that family. There’s a good interview with both of them online that gives you a lot more insight.

The painting that was used for the album cover is from 2008 and my Archaeology series. It is titled Archaeology: A New Wind. I am really pleased at how it works for the cover.

So, for this week’s Sunday Morning Music here’s a track from the album, written and performed by Bill Mize. This is Advize the Wize.