As one of the founding members of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, to say Benmont Tench has had a prolific career would be a vast understatement. But talking about his extensive session work with the likes of Johnny Cash, The Rolling Stones, Fiona Apple, U2, and Bob Dylan, just to name a few, the singer/songwriter/pianist is nothing short of legendary. But let us delve into Melancholy Season, the sophomore solo release from Benmont Tench under the George Harrison-founded label, Dark Horse Records.
Adding even more validity is production by Jonathan Wilson, renowned for his collaborations with such esteemed artists as Father John Misty, Conor Oberst, and Jackson Browne. Notably, it also showcases contributions from the incomparable Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek and Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, both of whom I greatly admire. I had the pleasure of experiencing the album in its full sonic richness, compliments of my hi-fi setup.
Melancholy Season in high fidelity is something I’m sure Tench would approve of!
Sometimes you just want to bask in the agony. It isn’t a masochistic thing; rather, you just need to let yourself feel something. Benmont Tench pours out his soul and evokes the agony of his life’s toughest lessons in Melancholy Season. This heartbreaker deftly delivers a set of songs that will have you deep in your feelings. And if you like your rock b’ roll on the bluesy side, I think you’ll find a lot to like. I’ll take you through a few of my favorite tracks on this trip across the spectrum of emotions.
Kicking things off is the title track opener. It reminds me of a Jackson Brown piano ballad of heartache and nostalgia. You can hear the cigarettes and whiskey drinks of past decades in Tench’s voice. The Hammond organ playing behind the band hits just right. And the old-school fade out on this song feels like a nod to adult oriented rock that dominated the late 70s and 80s radio.
However, if you really wanna reach back in time, give “Rattle” a listen! You’ll be tapping your toes to a Chuck Berry inspired original rock n’ roll vibes. Tench’s voice dips into a bit of a Bob Dylan style. The piano bounces like Jerry Lee Lewis is on the keys too! Benmont is clearly paying homage to his influences on this bop.
“If She Knew” is another soulful tune of a love lost to being on the road.
Unfortunately, the love our crooner has for his one-and-only isn’t enough to overcome the chaos of his life. There’s a bit of hope that one day, things will settle down and they’ll be together. It’s an achingly sweet song that pairs well with a breakup or a daydream about your one that got away. “Back” is a groovy tune with very well-recorded drums and great production. There’s lots of audio jewelry to please your ears from hard panned guitars to distorted radio bleeding into the vocals. It’s one for you audiophiles who like to sit in the dark and try to hear every part of a song.
“You Again” is another track where Benmont shows off his influences. You’ll catch the John Lennon “Imagine” inspiration pretty quickly. It is a sorrowfully bare and has a weighty bass adding to the sorrow. However, I do wish it were a little longer because it seemed like there was some meat left on the bone for us to enjoy. “Dallas” closes out the album with a touch of Willie Nelson guitar picking goodness with lyrics discussing the ups and downs of life. It has a folksy charm and a hint of back-porch B.S. sessions with your pals.
With the emotional journey Benmont Tench had us on, it’s a fitting closer to the album.
Psychoanalyst Erik Erikson developed a theory of lifelong development. Each stage of life is about resolving conflicts. He believed in our later years we become concerned with leaving behind a legacy. So from about 65 to death, we’re trying to fight off despair that we didn’t accomplish enough while maintaining our integrity. It can indeed be a melancholy season if we believe we haven’t amounted to much or we fear our accomplishments won’t live on. Benmont Tench is 71 and still generating new music. Music that is touching and soulful with a touch of wisdom too. I encourage you to listen wholeheartedly to absorb what he’s learned.
There’s no doubt Benmont Tench is reflecting on a long career in music with The Melancholy Season. He is continuing his legacy and fighting through despair. He came up with some of the greatest players in rock n’ roll; many of whom passed on before him. I suspect the musical influences heard throughout the album are his way of preserving some fantastic memories. I think we can take a lesson from the album. When we’re nostalgic for our lost friends or worried about how we’ll be remembered, sorrow sets in. And that’s OK. Don’t despair. Instead, sit there with it, listen to a song that evokes memories, and let the season pass.
Melancholy Season is available on Dark Horse Records.