Jason Wilson Ashara Vinyl LP 2024
1. Coal Dust Caruso
2. An Evening In Paris In Cumnock Tonight - Marcus Ali
3. The Shoemaker (By The Lown O' The Hill)
4. Coila (The Ploughman's Song)
5. Collier Gemmes
6. My Love Sings Like A Lintie
7. When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease
8. Low Tide
9. The Night Is Near Gone
Scottish-Canadian visionary Jason Wilson ventures into personal ground with his latest album 'Ashara'. The record presents a joyful blend of Scottish folk, global roots and reggae, delving into Jason's family history in such a way that connects his present life to a very distant past. Ashara is a deeply personal and generational body of work, showcasing Jason's innate aptitude for storytelling through poetic lyrics and beautiful imagery. The award- winning musician, who is renowned for his stellar vocals and inimitable skill on acoustic guitar and piano, brings together an exceptional lineup of musicians for this album. His band Ashara, after which the album is named, includes legendary Jamaican- Canadian guitarist Carl Harvey (Toots & The Maytals), woodwind specialist Marcus Ali, vocalist Laurel Tubman, drummer Vince Reel and bassist Michael Shapinko. The album also features the musical contributions of Scottish talents including Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton on whistles, Jack Smedley on fiddle, and John Somerville on accordion.
Ashara was recorded over a ten- month period and captures the essence of the band's chemistry. The initial recordings took place at Toronto's renowned Canterbury Music Company, allowing them to capture the authentic magic of live performances. The contributions of the Scottish musicians were recorded in their own respective locations, adding another layer of diversity to the album's sonic tapestry. The album features predominantly original compositions by Jason, with notable exceptions being a heartfelt rendition of Roy Harper's "When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease" and an inspired musical interpretation of Alexander Montgomerie's sixteenth-century poem "The Night is Near Gone".