Ramsay Midwood is following the footsteps of American artists who get noticed first by folks from far away. Maybe it takes some detachment to recognize the genius of artist next door, who has connected with that pool of myth and mystery, hallucination and hyperbole, hope and despair, that nourishes our culture’s music and poetry.
TIME OUT was talking about SHOOT OUT AT THE OK CHINESE RESTAURANT, Midwood’s puzzling, idiosyncratic, and brilliant debut album released by the German Glitterhouse label back in November 2000.
Consider what the London edition of TIME OUT had to say about Midwood’s style: It’s "rambling, roughhewn, and bluesy – but bluesy like Beefheart, Dylan, or Waits. Magnificent stuff – a dark and rustic hillbilly boogie shot through and through with spit and grit and pith and bile."
As the album started selling throughout Europe, Midwood built his underground following in southern California. Nic Harcourt, host of KCRW’s groundbreaking radio staple MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC, brought him onto the show. Shortly after that, Midwood was introduced to Kevin Welk, which led to an invitation to release SHOOT OUT AT THE OK CHINESE RESTAURANT on Vanguard Records.
ANSWER.COM also seems to like it:
It isn’t likely that anyone is going to accuse Ramsay Midwood of being glossy or ultraslick anytime soon. Earthy, gritty, rugged, and soulful, Midwood is an Austin, TX–based singer–songwriter whose folk–rock, Americana, and roots rock owe a major debt to the blues –– in fact, his songs are soaked in blues feeling. Midwood brings a variety of influences to the table. Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Levon Helm, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott have obviously had a major impact on his work. So have Bob Dylan and Tom Waits (especially Waits’ early recordings). There are traces of Bruce Springsteen in some of Midwood’s writing, and there are times when he brings to mind the darker, moodier side of bluesmen John Lee Hooker and Lightnin’ Hopkins.
