When we were in the 2020 depths of the COVID crisis, cultural pundits were imagining/predicting a ‘new Roaring Twenties’ when it was over, as if the Spanish Flu and WWI had given birth to the wild times a century ago that only a few rich people really experienced (while most Americans were enduring Prohibition). Instead, it’s been a slow, halting new day, even with vaccines and boosters, two steps forward, one step back – the perfect setting for Patrick Watson’s intimate return, Better In the Shade.
At only seven songs, including two instrumentals (“Ode to Vivian” and the “la la la” of “La La La La La”), and only 22 minutes, Better is really more of a big EP than a small LP, a sweet reminder of a sweet musician. And it is a very intimate piece, all whispered and up-close with songs like the titular opener or the wonderful following “Height of the Feeling”, written & sung with Ariel Engle (QRO interview), who always makes things better.
We’re not out partying, and COVID certainly ain’t over, despite our best efforts (or perhaps because of worst efforts), and weed might be legal, but war certainly hasn’t ended. So, just relax in the Shade with a reminder from an old friend.
