Will Pound
Album: A Cut Above
Label: Lulubug
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.willpound.com

Every now and then someone comes along in the music scene who stops you in your tracks.

Harmonica -player Will Pound first rose to prominence while playing with banjo maestro Dan Walshb ut now he has stepped out on his own with the release of his debut solo album "A Cut Above". A very apt title too, as this is something of a tour-de-force.

From the very musical opening track - Solder's Joy/Floating Candle/The Dutchess to the end - this is without doubt one of the finest albums of 2013 from a precocious young talent.

Will is 26-years-old and lives on a narrow boat near Rugby. He has assembled a stellar cast of supporting musicians to assist him on the album. Guitarist Martin Simpson, melodeon ace Andy Cutting, Kris Driver from Scotland, 2012 BBC Rado 2 Folk Awards Musician of the Year Tim Edey and Irish singer/multi-instrumentalist Damien O'Kane.

This is without doubt a collection of virtuoso performances which encompass bluegrass, folk, Morris tunes and beyond. There are traditional tunes such as Old Joe Clark, which Will learnt when he was ten years old and Will's own tunes such as Waxy and the title track.

There's the lovely Mozart tune - Michael Turner's Waltz and the stunning 93 Not Out - written by the incredible Will Atkinson when he was 93 - with Simpson and Cutting firing on all cylinders.

For a blistering bluegrass tune, Clinch Mountain Back Step, sets off at a rollicking pace and never stops. Brilliant stuff.

But the highlight for me is the sublime version of Amazing Grace with Will trading with double bass player John Parker to create a sensational spine-tingling performance.

I particularly enjoyed the song notes, a nice touch.

Last year Will's harmonica was heard on the Christmas No.1 single " He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" and he is has now formed his own Will Pound Band with award-winning fiddler Henry Webster, guitarist Chris Sarjeant and the afore-mentioned John Parker on double bass.

This effervescent album deserves maximum airplay. If you love good music then go and grab a copy now!

John Knighton