Charles Wesley Godwin Readies New Album ‘How the Mighty Fall’
From when we initially heard him though his first band Union Sound Treaty, to his solo album Seneca in 2019 that put his West Virginia experience into song, Charles Wesley Godwin has proved himself to be one of the preeminent members of the new resurgence of authentic voices from the Appalachian region.
Now he’s readying the release of a new album to be called How The Mighty Fall that will hit shelves on November 5th. Produced by Al Torrence who also was behind the mixing board for Seneca, the album is said to expand its scope beyond Godwin’s West Virginia experience in an effort to capture more universal themes.
“I try to write with a sense of place,” says Godwin. “Up until now, that setting has always been my home, but I don’t think this new album is as locally-focused as my previous release. I hope these songs will connect with people wherever they live.”
But the first track from the record called “Lyin’ Low” (listen below) definitely finds Charles Wesley Godwin leaning heavily on his West Virginia roots once again. From there though, the record does expand its perspective, while still containing a personal connection with the material. The album also contains a more stripped-down version of the song “Needle Fall Down,” which was one of numerous songs from his band Union Sound Treaty that put them on the map for many.
“I started a family around the time ‘Seneca’ came out,” Godwin explains. “After my son was born, I remember sitting in the hospital, thinking about how that very experience would eventually become one of those life moments that flash before my eyes when I’m old. I realized that time is passing, and my time will pass, too. Becoming a father made it all sink in.”
Now signed with management company True Grit—which also manages Cody Jinks, Whitey Morgan, Ward Davis, Sunny Sweeney, et al—the hope is How The Mighty Fall will see Godwin rise to the next level.
“There’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears that went into this and I cannot wait to share it with you,” says Godwin. “It’s a long road to get to this point right here as an independent artist. I appreciate y’all so much for your support.”
How The Might Fall is now available for pre-order.
TRACK LIST:
1. Over Yonder
2. Lyin’ Low
3. Jesse
4. Temporary Town
5. Needle Fall Down
6. Strong
7. Bones
8. Gas Well
9. Cranes of Potter
10. Blood Feud
11. Lost Without You
12. How The Mighty Fall
September 10, 2021 @ 6:24 pm
So excited for this. Seneca is my favorite album from the last few years, and Lyin Low is outstanding
September 10, 2021 @ 6:34 pm
Can’t wait for this. CWG is the real deal.
September 10, 2021 @ 7:58 pm
He actually started in a band called Vandalia that had a very Appalachian bluegrass sound with an album in 2014 called Come back with your banjo, or on it. Sounds like it was a college experience kind of bluegrass band with a few really good songs off of the album. But either way, I’m really looking forward to this new album.
September 10, 2021 @ 8:46 pm
exactly what i was gonna say, vandalia was his college band and their album was pretty solid bluegrass with a bit less energy than the style typically has. this man is a legend.
September 10, 2021 @ 9:18 pm
This song is badass.
September 11, 2021 @ 12:41 am
Selling my furnitures to face the cost of all these new realeases.
September 11, 2021 @ 4:12 am
Been looking forward to a new album from him for a while now. Excited to hear it
September 11, 2021 @ 6:02 am
This guy is awesome! Can’t wait to pick up this new album. He and the Moonpies find there way through my speakers regularly.
September 11, 2021 @ 9:19 am
Great news. Both the Union Sound Treaty and his solo album were fantastic. I play both as much as anything that’s came along in the past 5 years.
September 11, 2021 @ 9:50 am
Lyin low is a great song. Make no mistake, Godwin has got something going and it stands out from the pack.
Must say, i have grown a bit annoyed with the seemingly endless variety of songwriters who do the obligatory song or album on the ” terrible hard life in appalachia, coal mining bad, we’re jacked up on meth, we cant make a living, its so awful, etc themes. . Dont get me wrong, i know those are and have been realities, no question about it. But, the theme has become a cliche in songwriting, and it strikes me as ironic that often, those artists and songs end up being trumpeted by the NPR intellectual, with money crowd. (Folks that havent lived such a life, but like to soliliquize about it from afar.)
Whats refreshing about Godwins approach is that many of his songs are from the point of view of someone with optimism that they can and will make it. I identify with the working class folks, and the blue collar , we get it done crowd, much more than the group that revels in assigning classes of people as hapless victims..
My dad grew up in poverty in rural areas of Tennessee and Kentucky, but he often looks back fondly on those hard times. He says he didnt realize how poor his family was until years later. He went into the Marine Corp during Vietnam, came out, got a GI loan, married, bought a house, went to college while working with help from my mom, and pulled himself out of poverty over a period of many years, working in construction. I was raised similarly, not at first realizing we were scrimping by and living hand to mouth. My grandad on moms side, similarly came from humble origins, but didnt sit around hoping for help, instead, got to work and managed to make it through the Great Depression and WW2.
My long-winded point to all this is, its great to see rugged, hard scrabble folks who are willing to do what it takes, to not only survive, but thrive in adverse situations. Atittude determines altitude. For me, Godwins songwriting is realistic, yet inspiring in that it acknowledges such people exist and can make it. A Country Boy Can Survive indeed.
September 11, 2021 @ 9:21 pm
Agreed. In a world of country artists who, for the sake of feigned edginess, peddle the same clichéd mythos of the irredeemable, cynical, downtrodden outlaw, CWG is the rare artist that makes resiliency, dignity, and decency an essential part of his music. It’s refreshing and inspiring.
September 11, 2021 @ 2:09 pm
For those interested, CWG did a live stream gig with full band a few months back that, I think, features a lot of the songs from the upcoming album. Some great stuff. This sophomore album is shaping up to be another classic. Check it out:
https://youtu.be/AbG3mWwj7Vw
September 14, 2021 @ 7:10 am
Update: I just rewatched that live stream and the band indeed plays EVERY song from the new album. Not a single dud in there. All excellent.
October 1, 2021 @ 2:37 pm
I follow him on YouTube and if you’ve seen some of his videos over the past year you’ve really been antsy for this album. I can’t wait.
September 12, 2021 @ 2:48 am
That is some darn good picking and fiddling.
The whole song is great, but its great to hear that bluegrass style of letting talented musicians stand out.
September 13, 2021 @ 6:02 am
first cut of this was great way to start friday when it popped up in my new release playlist.
December 8, 2021 @ 7:55 am
Not sure when the review is coming for this one, but this album is excellent
December 8, 2021 @ 8:19 am
Album review here:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/review-charles-wesley-godwins-how-the-mighty-fall/
Was also just nominated for Album of the Year:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/saving-country-musics-2021-album-of-the-year-nominees/
December 8, 2021 @ 9:01 am
I must have searched incorrectly! Thank you!