Will Varley – “I Still Think of You Sometimes”

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score 8: Popularity Index: 8
Pairs Well With … Richard Thompson, Billy Bragg, Bob Dylan

Troubadours gonna’ keep on troubadour-ing – especially the British ones. It’s quite remarkable that in five years since we saw Will Varley in Austin, he has continued to add to his impressive catalogue of consistently powerful ballads about love and loss.  In addition to his soulful voice, Varley also knows how to turn a phrase and make a personal story universal. Even with such a strong lyricist, certain songs demand your full attention. Back at SXSW 2018, it was “Seven Days.”  This past December, Varley released a live album reflecting two decades of his music. After several listens to Through the Lowlands (Live at the Lighthouse, Deal), there were a few contenders for this year’s must hear Varley song, with “Newborn” and “Until the Grass Gets Greener” as contenders.  But I finally settled on “I Still Think of You Sometimes.” Once again, Varley reflects on a lost love, at first with longing and hope for a reunion: “it seems to me every now and then, Fate's gonna’ get things wrong.”  But in the end, undisguised bitterness creeps in with a killer Varley stanza: “I hope that you are happy now, And I hope that you are well, And I hope you grip your fake ID, When you pass the gates of hell.”  Ouch. The album also includes a new song, “Something is Eating Away at Us” which is a bit of a departure from his ballad pocket, using a slow, blues groove and a killer sax line.

But returning to the theme of must hear songs – a personal story. Mr. Varley, if you are reading, back in 2018, we saw you at a crowded day show at a bar on West 6th St. You masterfully worked this solo gig for those of us who were listening intently. Then you asked for requests, and I yelled out “Seven Days.” You said OK, I bought you a drink, and then you didn’t play it. Afterwards, you graciously apologized and said it was the wrong setting for this quiet ballad. You even offered to play the song for me in the back room.  But then another fan decided to chat you up big time and my crew was like, time to get to the next venue.  So, if you are reading your reviews, yes, we will find you again and I will enjoy anything you chose to play, but throw this reviewer a bone consider either “Seven Days” or “I Still Think of You Sometimes” for your set list.  I’ll buy you another drink too. (David Zlotnick)