Oakridge musician Peter Wilde announces release of new CD: Natural Disasters set for release at 3 Legged Crane Pub and Brewhouse December 9

By JANET HANSEN/for The Herald  —  Synchronicities, like coincidence, have a powerful place in life. We brush them off, shoo them away as meaningless events. But that just isn’t so.

After listening to Peter Wilde play live many times in uptown Oakridge at the 3 Legged Crane Pub & Brewhouse, writing a complete review of his sets never came to fruition for no apparent reason. Trying to justify that fact is just as elusive. It isn’t because I don’t care for the music. I do. It isn’t because it isn’t fun hearing it live. It is.

It isn’t because it doesn’t fit the venue or the vibe of Oakridge. Most certainly it does.

So, today I see Wilde is holding a CD release party December 9 at 3 Legged Crane and the digital release is right in front of me to listen to. I can sit with it, contemplate certain elements and put the matrix into perspective, as he’s a gifted songwriter and lyricist with a logger’s mentality and humor to boot.

Wilde’s music is a complex system that kind of defies how we define roots music, where it came from, what it signifies, and where it fits into contemporary music.

There are a couple of components in his work that always strike me as coincidental to Oakridge. Foremost, Wilde’s music is very much like Mason Williams’ early Warner Bros. Music releases after “Classical Gas” became a mega hit in the late 1960s.

What’s the coincidence you ask?

From an early age, Williams spent a good deal of his life in Oakridge and still has deep roots here personally, musically, and environmentally.

Like the hallmarks of Mason’s music, Wilde’s music is definitely handmade, meant to be humorous in many cases, which also makes it memorable. Because it’s memorable, the songs he’s recorded here when played live, become sing-a-longs which is perfect for building community and bringing people together. This is a boon public and college radio can benefit from just as easily.

If Wilde gets booked out enough, and we help him sell enough units of Natural Disasters, let’s make some of these songs famous. They’re worthy, and there’s no more worthy cause than bringing people together in an era so desperate for unity.

There are a few tunes here that remind me of early Neil Young repertoire, namely “Lonesome Man,” “Love’s on the Way” and “Peace of Mind.” Give a listen and see what you think.

There’s a little Bob Wills western swing influence, some old Appalachian hill music,           hints of gospel, and honky-tonk two-step sentiment, all served up on a big old platter of singer/songwriter faire.

The musicianship on Natural Disasters is pretty darned seamless. Just listening to the music sans lyrics is satisfying in its own right and one of the first metrics I go to. If the music draws you in and holds you, then a second listen has been earned. It’s always about the music first.

A special nod goes to Daniel Heila for the special treatment of a local photo of uptown Oakridge. It could be said Oakridge has gone through its fair share of natural disasters and survived. This album cover has a special kind of warmth Oakridgians can and will appreciate.

Be sure to go to the CD release party December 9, time TBA. Listen to, and buy, Natural Disasters on Bandcamp.com https://peterwilde.bandcamp.com/album/natural-disasters?fbclid=IwAR0grxvB0U7LUNnC5IW3Ui3FwWhrVY625PcEq1LBeh5JVEpQjV4SUPOe-B0

 

Janet Hansen retired from the music industry as a senior marketing exec and publicist in 2017. Her work comprised interfacing with national media in campaigns that include credits in three GRAMMY awards, and two of history’s most popular songs. She returned to her home in Oakridge in 2019 opening Boho Chateau, a boutique dedicated to local history and art in 2020.