Album Notes

With the recent release of his video “Shared My Name”, DW Borro gave us a "glimpse inside" while he tells the beautiful and intimate story of his marriage to Cathy, “It’s just a simple little song” he modestly admits, although the emotion evoked is far from simple or little. Although he says he released it before he believed it was finished, the reaction from the listener is nothing less than the promise of a classic wedding song.

The music is almost unnecessary as his voice contains all the emotion needed to share his intensity. His breathless reaction to the vision of his bride on their wedding day is evident. This is clearly his story – their story, from the heart.

Fortunately DW Borro has many stories to tell as a talented artist whose positive reviews from industry critics affirm the deep emotion he calls upon to craft his lyrics. Far removed from the commercial aspect that often controls the direction of many of today’s writers, Doug never expected anyone to hear his music.

A distinct contrast to “Shared My Name” is another recent release, “Liar”. The softness in his voice is replaced with the sharp intensity to the awakening of an unraveling relationship. The honesty of his lyrics make the bitter message a welcome relief in this painful tale.

In “Over You” he tells a raw, revealing story that cuts through any expectation or pretense. This is not a writer motivated by casual observation, but inspired by first-hand experience.

“Some of my songs have taken 15 minutes to live and 3 years to write. Talking about my feelings is not one of my strong points”. You’d never know it by listening. Take all the emotion he’s carefully weaved into the expressive, “Slow Suicide”.

Nonetheless, Borro questions his gift for storytelling. He talks about his writing as being a selfish act. Selfish? Maybe it’s a female thing, but I question that a man who can admit to a woman that “You Made Me Stagger” is anything but selfless.

Still, he says his writing serves as a catharsis; as he describes it, “a way to wrestle with life in my head”. He’s careful not to rush his “process”, taking his time, or as he describes it, “taking it apart and then putting it back together.”

One folksy ballad that he’s put through the paces is “Walls and Fences”. In this piece of Americana, he steps away from ego and admits it’s time for a change. A story this genuine is hard to be considered selfish.

As far as I’m concerned, he can wrestle around in his head for as long as he likes, as long as he continues to let the results flow through to his music. A gift this authentic doesn’t come along often.

Gae Garrett
Gae Garrett is a free-lance writer based in Phoenix, AZ