Review – Charles Wesley Godwin’s “How The Mighty Fall”
The words, the sounds alone aren’t enough. To evoke the magic only the best music can attain, you must believe the performer delivering them to you. There has to be conviction behind the words, and soul behind the music. The experiences have to be lived, or at least conceived from the inkwell of the heart, and delivered with such striking honesty, you can’t help but buy in, and believe.
Country music in its earliest iterations sprang from the hills and hollers of Appalachia as the authentic experiences of rural dwellers set to song. It only stands to reason that it’s this same region that is seeding the renewal of this music with its sons and daughters once again since they are so uniquely qualified to re-instill the truth, honesty, and sincerity into this important form of American expression.
It was a song called “Needle Fall Down” that first piqued the keen interest of this particular set of ears in 2016 when it appeared on the debut (and only) album of Charles Wesley Godwin’s band, Union Sound Treaty. It was one of numerous signs that this wasn’t just the frontman of your average local West Virginia bar band. Godwin had the indefinable “it.” Revisiting the now five-year-old track on Godwin’s new album is risky, since the original version of a song almost always is the one that nestles most favorably in your grey matter, and is averted to revision.
But this is Charles Wesley Godwin. It isn’t just that by stripping the composition down from the original that resuscitates “Needle Fall Down.” It’s how the contours of his voice and delivery are so expertly captured in the effort, it stresses how Godwin contains that indefinable something impossible to procure through practice or training. Either you’re born with it, or your not. And Charles Wesley Godwin was.
“Needle Fall Down” is just one of many superlative offerings from Charles Wesley Godwin’s second solo release. How The Mighty Fall refuses to be complacent in its approach. A host of sounds are pulled from to fulfill its dozen tracks, not just Appalachian country. What makes it country and Appalachian is Charles Wesley Godwin, and the stories he tells, which for the first time are not born from his own biography, but still come alive from the intimacy he feels with them as they’re pulled from his immediate surroundings.
How The Mighty Fall is a treatise in storytelling through song. Taking a simple piece of rural graffiti and turning it into a love saga is the magic sowed into “Jesse.” Expressing the palpable struggle of a man trying hold onto his family’s land and legacy in “Gas Well” gives way to imagined landscapes usually resigned to cinema. Filling you in on a century’s worth of history in under 4 1/2 minutes is the wonder behind the murder ballad “Cranes of Potter.”
And the whole time, the music refuses to be confined by conventional ideas of regional genre, bounding to whatever influence best fits the mood of the tale to be told. That may be back porch Appalachia simplicity, starting with a fingerpicked melody, and then finding room for a little fiddle and steel guitar in the opening song “Over Yonder.” Or it could be the unadulterated Blue Ridge rock of “Blood Feud” and “Strong.” When the sentiments turn sharp and the moments tense, so does the music. When it’s time for soft reflection, the music follows suit.
Some of the contemporary guitar tones, like on the song “Strong” or the title track of the album perhaps bound a little too far outside of what you would expect from a roots artist from West Virginia like Charles Wesley Godwin. But these minor sins are easy to forgive since How The Mighty Fall is willing to take chances, doesn’t settle for anything, and shows such spirit and ambition.
As the album continues on, the story craft only continues to grow stronger, to the point where a little universe is formed with intertwined characters and narratives, all encapsulating the epic and poetic rhythms of a rural town.
Charles Wesley Godwin may not find the type of overwhelming reception that Tyler Childers or Chris Stapleton have, which is turning country music upside down and rewriting its conventions. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve to. How The Mighty Fall proves that he does.
Two Guns Up (9/10)
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Purchase from Charles Wesley Godwin
Tex Hex
November 5, 2021 @ 9:26 am
Excellent album. Godwin’s the real deal and, despite being an excellent solo performer, his full live band does a crackerjack performance too. If there’s any justice in this world, Godwin will attain similar levels of success and acclaim as Childers and Simpson. I’d venture to say, just my own opinion here, Godwin is the superior songwriter and singer. None of the edgy outlaw bullshit, just all of the heart and soul.
Jake Cutter
November 5, 2021 @ 9:52 am
I’d have to say I agree with that last sentence. And the maturity, or lack of posturing, is a breath of fresh air.
JD
November 5, 2021 @ 1:10 pm
Just saw him opening for Zach Bryan and the band was great. Crowd was really into them as well.
Tex Hex
November 5, 2021 @ 1:58 pm
Great to hear. A Zach Bryan crowd is a probably a great fit for Godwin. Just saw ’em open for Flatland Cavalry and a lot of the crowd wouldn’t shut the hell up for Godwin’s set. There was this cackling group of idiots near me who wouldn’t keep quiet during “Seneca Creek”, a song that damn near brings me to tears every time.
I haven’t felt rage like that in a minute. Godwin and his band are pros though. Pulled out a great set and definitely piqued a lot of ears and applause, and there was a pretty long line near the merch stand to meet him afterward.
Flatland’s set was admittedly pretty great too. The 700-capacity crowd was going apeshit. As an aside, it made me wonder why a band like Mike and the Moonpies (frequently regarded as the best live band in country on SCM) doesn’t get that kind of reaction or as big a crowd as that.
I saw the Moonpies with about 50-100 people a few years ago, same town, and it was much more tame. Some dancing but mostly people standing around sipping beers and nodding heads quietly. I think Flatland are just a bit more polished, do a lot more call and response interaction, and banter with the crowd. Had ’em in the palms of their hands.
Augustus
November 5, 2021 @ 9:10 pm
People are unfortunately like that all throughout concerts. Just saw Zach Bryan in STL and while it was a great concert, I had to struggle to hear him play Godspeed and I was in the front row. People are shitty
Waymore
November 5, 2021 @ 9:26 am
My most anticipated release of the year – been jamming it nonstop all day. Tremendous from start to finish… I still maintain that Sorry For the Wait is still his best song overall and maybe one of the best of the past decade, but several tracks on the new album get real close to it. Two albums in, and he’s established himself as one of the very best artists working today, full stop. Plus he’s tremendous in concert.
Adam
November 5, 2021 @ 7:45 pm
Sorry For the Wait is as moving to me now as it was 3 years ago when I first heard it. It’s damn near perfect.
thegentile
November 5, 2021 @ 9:35 am
i think it’s a solid effort. although nothing grabbed me as much as the seneca story on my first few listens. the pre fontaine song is killer.
Tex Hex
November 5, 2021 @ 10:15 am
Very tough to beat songs like “Coal Country” and “Seneca Creek” two absolute A+ songs that helped propel and sustain that album overall.
A lot of Seneca dealt with personal subject matter (his family and wife etc.) but this one seems to feature more impersonal (however still universal) subject matter, written, performed, and produced with more efficiency. I think Seneca felt a bit more epic and sprawling in scope, while this one feels more concise – though the runtimes and number of tracks included are identical, so it’s a matter of perception.
Nate
November 5, 2021 @ 9:57 am
Sophomore albums are always a challenge as folks seem to typically favor the music that got them hooked on the artist in the first place. However, this was everything I wanted it to be and more. There are plenty of songs here that are easily digestible for those without the tolerance or patience for deep, intricate, storytelling. There are also songs that scratch that storytelling itch for those who preferred those elements of Seneca best. Chuck seems to be on a hot streak and seeing those crowds come alive during his opening slots for Zach Bryan tell me that HTMF is the boost he needs to get to that next level.
Luckyoldsun
November 5, 2021 @ 10:02 am
I had the TV on for the memorial service for Colin Powell that’s being held in D.C. today and I heard one of the network commentators who had traveled with Powell–I don’t know who– when Powell was Secretary of State, say that General Powell was known to break into Marty Robbins’ El Paso on occasion.
That seemed interesting, so I Googled it. I found that there’s a Colin Powell elementary school in El Paso, and more about his connection to the song.
Colin Powell visits El Paso, explains importance of Marty …https://kvia.com › news › 2014/01/16 › colin-powell-vi…
Jan 16, 2014 — Colin Powell visits El Paso, explains importance of Marty Robbins song to him. El Paso has been on Colin Powell’s mind for decades.
Releirenus
November 5, 2021 @ 10:10 am
To add to previous comments, it’s the way he presents himself on top of the absolutely unmatched storytelling delivery that does it for me. No airs, just an Appalachian guy bearing his soul. After his set, when we saw him, he hung around and chatted with people, enjoying the other acts like the rest of us. Stellar album.
ChrisP
November 5, 2021 @ 11:23 am
Fantastic sophomore album, on top of what is still one of my favorite albums in recent years, Coal Country. I love listening to albums like this one, and I look forward to putting this on the long-term rotation.
In contrast to your take, Trigger, I found that I liked the use of contemporary guitar on the few tracks where it was included. The music still felt authentic and real, which to me is an important thing. More importantly, my wife – who doesn’t share my love of country music – has slowly come to appreciate country through those songs, so I view them as a sort of gateway.
As always, thanks for the review and highlighting great country music.
JW
November 5, 2021 @ 11:30 am
My wife, like yours, isnt a big country music fan. But she heard Hardwood Floors and Windmill (Keep on Turning) from Seneca, and said for the first time ever about a country artist, that she would like to go see CWG in concert. He has such a genuine feel for his music that not many people have. We saw him a few months ago, and she loved it with his full band.
JF
November 5, 2021 @ 11:43 am
This album is one of the year’s best. Love “Strong” — “Like Prefontaine from an outside lane.” So good.
Tex Hex
November 5, 2021 @ 12:05 pm
I’m a total sucker for this song. The “carlton-dance” 80’s beat, the pounding piano, the wailing guitars, the inspirational lyrics. The sincerity of it all. I get so hyped listening to it. It’s like the kind of song that’d play during a movie montage where the skinny high school nerd, wearing a sweatband, is curling 10lb dumbbells in his bedroom, running laps around the neighborhood, doing sit-ups and eking out single pull-up, determined to show ’em what he’s got. Ha! No joke, I love this song.
LukeBryanBurner
November 5, 2021 @ 11:50 am
I’m a fan so far. Hopefully it’ll grow on me even more. My only gripe is that “Gas Well” is essentially the same story as the movie Hell or Highwater. Obviously not a huge complaint but a complaint nonetheless.
Tex Hex
November 5, 2021 @ 12:29 pm
Hell or High Water is a great movie, with a great soundtrack, so I’ll allow it.
glendel
November 5, 2021 @ 12:32 pm
his voice isn’t like Hal’s, but I get a real Hal Ketchum vibe from Godwin and his music (that’s an excellent vibe to have).
Barlos
November 5, 2021 @ 12:32 pm
Like everyone else said, amazing song writer and an even better guy. Talked to every single person in the merch line for at least 5 minutes. The new band also fucks.
On an unrelated note, any idea why this album hasn’t dropped on Tidal? I’m probably the only nerd who cares, but this is the first time i’ve ever went to pull up a new record available on spotify/apple music/amazon and it hasn’t been on Tidal. Old releases maybe occasionally, but thought this was odd. Hopefully it shows up soon otherwise I’ll just youtube it to get my fix.
Tex Hex
November 5, 2021 @ 12:55 pm
I’ve been waiting for it to drop on Qobuz or 7 Digital so I can buy a CD-quality download. No dice yet, though Seneca and the three recent singles are there so I’m hopeful it’ll happen soon. It’s not even on Amazon yet either – no digital or CD.
Not sure whether Godwin has a manager, but if I were them, I’d be busting my ass trying to remedy this ASAP. No reason this album shouldn’t be available across all commercial platforms, in every format, on release day. I know vinyl’s tough to line up these days, but it shouldn’t be a struggle to purchase a digital download at least.
Barlos
November 5, 2021 @ 1:06 pm
Right? When I saw that the singles were on Tidal but not the album this morning, I assumed it was due to a mixup or label issue and would appear by mid day. Been checking like a fiend on every break at work
Trigger
November 5, 2021 @ 3:02 pm
This officially is a self-release by Godwin, and sometimes it takes a while for them to populate on all streaming services. Amazon has been especially notorious for sometimes taking a week or more after release to populate for artists who release directly. Not sure about Tidal.
Charles Wesley Godwin is managed by True Grit, who also manage Cody Jinks, Whitley Morgan, Ward Davis, Sunny Sweeney, Tennessee Jet, etc. etc.
Tex Hex
November 5, 2021 @ 3:19 pm
He’s gotta have somebody at True Grit making sure this is all done properly, right? I got the “official” True Grit marketing text about How The Mighty Fall, after 5pm today. You’d think that would’ve gone out in the morning or mid-day. Most people are checked out by 5pm on a Friday, right?
If I were Godwin, I’d be making some calls to True Grit asking wtf is going on. That’s money left on the table. How many readers here today alone have credit-card in hand, ready to buy, but all they can do is stream? Lord knows, based on industry-wide problems, physical pre-orders aren’t arriving in peoples’ mailboxes anytime soon.
Tex Hex
November 9, 2021 @ 2:52 pm
FYI – I was chatting with customer service at Qobuz today asking about the album and they got it live a couple hours later. Bagged my CD-quality download.
The metadata on the album files say they were sourced from TuneCore, which is a digital distributor indie artists commonly use as a distributor to all the digital retailers. They distributed to Apple, Spotify, Tidal, YouTube, Amazon, Deezer, Napster, 7 Digital, Pandora, Qobuz and a bunch of others.
My guess, a lot of these retailers have hundreds of new albums to load weekly from TuneCore and stuff just falls through the cracks or gets delayed. If you wanna listen via Tidal, I suggest you reach out to their customer service department. I bet the album is on their serves already, just hasn’t gone live yet. Doesn’t hurt to nudge ’em.
Terry
November 5, 2021 @ 12:37 pm
Another great effort! Enjoy his unique sound and a fine album from start to finish!
Ben D.
November 5, 2021 @ 2:30 pm
Legit from the get. I’ve said for some years meow he’s kinda like a John Denver with grit. One of the finest out there.
Tex Hex
November 5, 2021 @ 3:39 pm
He’s definitely in another cat-egory. I don’t know meow he does it.
hoptowntiger94
November 5, 2021 @ 3:01 pm
I know it’s a me thing and I WISH I can get past it, but his voice and the production on both solo albums have this Celtic film that I can’t get past. He’s from my neck of the woods and we have similar friends in common and I loved Union Sound Treaty (saw them in concert twice), but these two albums sound more like from old country Ireland than modern Appalachia/ mountain music. And I know the heritage of this region and it’s traces back to Ireland, but this sounds more like for a man herding sheep and sipping scotch out of a sniffer and wearing a classic Irish tweed cap than music for the man working in a mine all day. It’s a me issue and a personal taste thing. But, more power to him and I truly wish him the best.
Tex Hex
November 5, 2021 @ 4:11 pm
Not everybody out of Appalachia has to sound like Roscoe Holcomb, and honestly I sometimes struggle to enjoy Childers’ high pitched croak-warble, which seems to be the most imitated vocal style for new artists out of that region now. I’m not sure where Godwin’s vocal style comes from but he’s got one of the best and most unique voices in the genre, in my opinion.
Kevin Smith
November 5, 2021 @ 4:23 pm
Hop you nailed it. I agree. Hes very good, powerful voice, serious writer but the whole things sounds like a Celtic band. I would add Gordon Lightfoot in there as an influence. (To my ears) Country? Eh…not so much. But hes VERY good at what he does.
Jack W
November 7, 2021 @ 11:52 am
Maybe Celtic flavored American music, but not full on Celtic music to my ears. Makes me think of some pre-Americana era singer/songwriter “modern folk” artists. Gordon Lightfoot is a good comparison. Another one for me would be New Jersey born singer/songwriter John Gorka.
Di Harris
November 5, 2021 @ 4:15 pm
Seems like he has a good cattitude.
Costner was here with his band, Tuesday night (Nov. 2nd). Thought about buying a ticket just to go look at him – but didn’t.
Will go to Hard Truth where the music is free
Jim Bones
November 6, 2021 @ 8:13 am
If you find yourself on this website and don’t like the song “strong” off this album, you might be high on methamphetamine.
Also go listen to the recent jeremy pinnell album. It rips.
Marcus Welby, MD
November 6, 2021 @ 12:49 pm
The Pinnell album def rips, Bones. It’s fun to jam and been my default album the last month. I appreciate you and erryone else decrying it, like night time eagles.
Hal
November 6, 2021 @ 3:19 pm
Good stuff. He opened for Ward Davis in Clarksville a couple of weeks ago. Held his own, and then some.
Ragin91cajun
November 7, 2021 @ 6:34 am
Loving this one. Went to see Charles in Memphis last month. He and his band killed it for a crowd of 20-25 people. Really hoping this new record and his opening spots for Flatland, Zach Bryan, and Ward propel him to a new audience. Super talented and seems like a real nice guy.
JM
November 11, 2021 @ 12:19 pm
After about 12 or so listens now, I’m convinced it’s good. Top 3 of the year for me. Love the fiddle and the arrangements in general. Hope he makes it out west soon.