Walt Wilkins-Mustang Island

Walt Wilkins

“Mustang Island”

by TxLogCabin

There just aren’t words to describe the scope of Walt Wilkins’ musical talent shared via Mustang Island. He crafts his songs (authored/coauthored 10 of 12), recorded music, and live performances into magical webs of pure delight. On first listen, his music gives you soothing pleasures that help you melt away the day’s cares. But upon returning to that trough for deeper drinks, reveals more significant intentions. He blends acoustic, electric, steel, bass, and slide guitars with mandolin, violin, and drums to tease your senses and soothe your psyche. And if you are feeling up to the mental exercise, there are plentiful opportunities for more complex delights.

In "I Chose this Road", this almost autobiographical look at the Texas influenced world shares a brief synopsis of what everyone can see around them if they just look.

"I chose this road

And I’ve been lucky as lucky gets, a tune in every step

And for every regret, there’s been a bucket of joy."

Ruminating about life turns that we don’t understand about ourselves or those we touch, Wilkins declares that "We’ve All Got Our Reasons".

"If I ever get to heaven and I’ve got one question,

I hope the good Lord ain’t offended.

Give me a world of pain between the cradle and the grave,

Is that what was intended?

I don’t have to know why he puts the stars in the sky

Or fooled with the change of the seasons,

‘Cause I guess we’ve all got our reasons."

In "Someone Somewhere Tonight", Wilkins philosophizes about how there are people continually at opposite ends of the spectrum. If there are beginnings, there are endings, if there are emotional joys, there are deep despairs.

"Someone somewhere tonight is stuck in a prison

They’re breathing, but just barely living,

Behind walls of their own

While someone somewhere tonight just found their own wings

Found some beauty, found some truth,

Found some meaning in spite of it all."

Wrapped parallels the "Psalm of David" to the chief musician (139) as the wonder and magnificence of God. It seems fitting that Wilkins is akin to this chief musician. It speaks of the essence of Godly devotion; but the frailty of human restlessness with a very ingrained Texan influence.

"I stand out in the wind, out on Mustang Island

I might stay up all night listening to Hank Williams and crying

You might find me in Paris, France some night soon

‘Might drive this Malibu all the way to China

You never know what I’ll do."

"When There’s No Money Coming In" laments the desperation of hard times and how values and ethics take a curve when enough pressure causes a person to snap.

"A tear falls to a cement floor, and echoes through the cell

And a child grows up along in a town that knows too well

About how a man can change

When there’s no money coming in.

A man’s thoughts can turn as wild as the sea

When there’s no money coming in."

Wilkins praises the value of a soul mate and how he’d stay lost "If It Weren’t for You". This is a deeply rooted ballad and musically brings together some of the best that Wilkins has to offer.

"Here I am, the same old hat in hand

Kicking pebbles down your driveway, a sorry man

Because I talk too much, and tonight I drank too much

And I’m out here wobblin’ around like the pirate I am

On his sad, homemade crutch

Lost at sea, but seein’ what is true

That I’d always be lost if it weren’t for you."

"Privileges of Youth" is a look back at what we took for granted when too young to appreciate it. "Tonight I Might" toys with the idea of hopping a freight train and starting life all over. "A Hand to Hold On To" is more musical therapy for what ails your soul. You just have to listen to it to appreciate the perfection.

And speaking of listening, you can get yourself a copy of Mustang Island at http://lonestarmusic.com/ or http://waltwilkins.com/. Although the CD is wonderful manna for the body, it is nothing compared with Wilkins in person at an acoustic solo or song swap environment. That is nectar for the soul. I urge you to check his schedule at http://waltwilkins.com/ for the next opportunity that he plays a venue near you. You can also check out http://www.waltwilkins.com/1/hwy29/contact.asp for additional information about his music or appearances.

Written by Cheryl Arthur, April, 2005

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