Gatsby's Green Light

Artist:  Gatsby’s Green Light

Title:  Coulson

Rating:  3.5 Stars (out of 5)

Buy It: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/gatsbys-green-light/id475966075

Ken Coulson is without a doubt a talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.  Gatsby’s Green Light is a side project of sorts, but it seems to avoid the ego trappings that so often can come with the territory.  According to Mr Coulson’s bio he is prolific song writer utilizing the guitar, banjo, ukulele, and mandolin.  Upon listening to the record there will be no doubts created in those facts.  Ken Coulson’s bio as presented on his website (www.kencoulson.com) represents a man searching both musically and in life.  Gatsby’s Green Light portrays the results of that search possibly finding some things and starting new paths of discovery at the same time.  Not unlike the artists Coulson compares his sound to and cites as inspiration, Paul Simon, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Gatsby’s Green Light grabs elements of world, jam band, rock, and other eclectic genres to create a melting pot sound.

The collection starts out with a mostly acoustic number that certainly does not hide from the Dave Matthews comparisons.  “Shy” with its percussive acoustic guitar and the use of the flute following the melody is a friendly start.  “The Way” follows the same path, but broadens with the use of harmonicas and a more open Americana feel.  The third song “Letters of My Youth” is funky jam band track which is currently seeng some success at radio.  This is certainly not surprising with its catchy chorus and infectious grooves.  Coulson surprisingly shifts gears with “Baila Luna”.  The song starts with a long acoustic introduction which leads into a flamenco beat and lyrics all in Spanish.  It is very memorable and for sure the stand out track on the collection.  The next song, “America, I See You”, comes back to the center, but still surprises with steel guitar and decidedly country inspired beat.  “Portland Song” reflects Coulson’s world music style more towards his Paul Simon and David Byrne leanings.  The horns and tribal beats fit right into mix of the entire record.  “Climb” builds from an orchestral introduction with simulated strings and dramatic vocals.  The lyrics are drenched with yearning for a place, person, or point in time.  “Memorize” begins with acoustic guitar and saxophone harkening back to a 1970’s AM radio sound that is frankly marginalized by many in today’s hipper circles.  Coulson uses the genre either accidently or purposely with great effect reminding the listener of a time when song construction and studio musicianship was much more prized.  “Forest to the Field” is the most Coldplay like track on the collection with the orchestral keyboard song and soaring vocals.  The album closes much like it started out with a simple ukulele driven introduction to the song “Closer”.  An overused prop and underused instrument, Coulson employs the ukulele as an interesting element which benefits the entire song avoiding the sometime inevitable cuteness of the instrument. 

Ken Coulson and Gatsby’s Green Light debut is eclectically beautiful and overall very enjoyable.  So few artists are able to integrate world music, Latin, and other elements into their compositions and avoid the pretention that often can accompany the effort.  Coulson seems completely comfortable within the many genres and influences contained on the record.  The production and atmosphere augments rather than overwhelms each song.  Ultimately solo projects such as Gatsby’s Green Light can come off as pasted together and less than coherent.  This collection does not reflect that trap at all.  If anything it is surprising that Gatsby’s Green Light is a solo project at all.  There is a cohesiveness that is lacking in many other records that project vanity more than anything else.  Ken Coulson and his assembled band have created a very complete and enjoyable collection of songs.