POKING ‘THE BEAR’
Mason Porter’s Paul Wilkinson breaks out his solo project with help — and coaxing — from his friends.
With a nudge from a Grammy-nominated producer and help from some talented friends, local musician Paul Wilkinson, longtime guitarist for the West Chester-based roots rock band Mason Porter, recently released his debut solo album under the 400 Bears moniker.
A blend of folk, Americana and blues, the self-titled record starts out with nine original tunes before concluding with an 9-minute cover of the traditional “Take This Hammer,” featuring the aforementioned producer, Glenn Ferracone, on drums and his son, Luke Ferracone, on electric guitar.
Wilkinson credits some of his musical heroes with providing inspiration for his originals. The songs, he said, incorporate the subtlety of Mississippi John Hurt, the charisma of Taj Mahal and the omnipresence of Bob Dylan in his life. “80’s Mercedes” and “Small Town,” meanwhile, are evocative of the Grateful Dead, whose music Wilkinson discovered in his parents’ record collection as a youngster.
“Take This Hammer,” what he describes as “a perfect way to close out the record,” was recorded in quarantine, with each of the players recording their parts at home and sharing the files.
The rest of the album was recorded live at Ferracone’s The Music Centre in Chester Springs. Ferracone’s pedigree includes co-producing Joey DeFrancesco’s 2010 Grammynominated contemporary jazz album “Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson.”
Wilkinson, a full-time musician who has kept busy despite the constraints of the pandemic, credits Ferracone with providing the impetus for 400 Bears.
“This record wouldn’t have happened if Glenn Ferracone didn’t call and say, ‘You should make a record,’ ” Wilkinson said. “When he says, ‘Let’s go,’ you go. I got to work with musicians I admire and respec t , who are also great friends.”
The album features a mix of electric and acoustic arrangements, with a separate set of players for each style.
The electric trio consist s of organist Scott Coulter, drummer Josh Steingard (Mason Porter) and Wilkinson singing lead vocals and playing guitar.
The acoustic lineup features Pat Hughes (formerly of Mason Porter) on drums, Brad Hinton ( Wilk inson’s f requent duo partner) on dobro and Charlie Muench (Joe Hillman Band, The Stray Birds) on bass guitar.
In addition to his 15year involvement with Mason Por ter, Wilkinson plays solo shows, duo shows with a rotating cast and has performed at the Philadelphia Folk Fest with Mason Porter, The Wallace Brothers Band and Brad Hinton’s Band.
He’s also a member of Highway 61 Rev ival, a Dylan tribute band that had performed Dylan’s birthday shows the past seven years. When the qua ra nt i ne shor t - c i r - cuited this year’s plans, the members got to work on an EP of covers, “Highway 61 Revival (Volume 1),” which came out in May on bandcamp.com.
A self-described big fan of bears who is sometimes called “The Bear,” Wilkinson explained that he chose the name 400 Bears because it seemed fun and interesting, and “400 is a lot but not an unimaginable amount.” He said he’s looking forward to playing out with the band “as soon as humanly possible.”
In the meantime, check out 400Bears.com for more information, and purchase the record in digital or CD format at bandcamp.com.
“The quote I put on the back of the album cover is by H.D. Thoreau and states, ‘To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of ar ts,’ ” Wilkinson said. “That’s what I hope this record does for the people who listen to it.”