Austin, Texas guitarist/songwriter/poet/ bookmender Harold Whit Williams delivers his first solo release The Daily Worker Songbook. The record is a stripped-down, mostly acoustic affair evoking Texas folk and Appalachian murder ballads, all the while lyrically tapping into his native Muscle Shoals, Alabama roots.

Formerly of the critically acclaimed band Cotton Mather, Williams - "a genuine power-pop guitar hero" according to Trouser Press - tips his new-found songwriter's hat to artists like Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings. However, one cannot overlook the influence of Mather band-mate and songwriting genius Robert Harrison, along with Austin singer-songwriter Kacy Crowley, who he performed with as sideman.

The Daily Worker Songbook follows up Euphonia by the band Stockton (Williams, Cotton Mather drummer Dana Myzer, and Ron Flynt of 20/20). A full-length pop-rock release, the record was originally started by Myzer as a one-time recording session for a track to be issued on a French compilation. While that did not pan out, the song Dreamworld was used in the second season of the WB show Veronica Mars. Euphonia features songwriting from both Flynt and Williams.

The Daily Worker Songbook was recorded, mixed and mastered by Ron Flynt at his Jumping Dog Studio in Austin. Drummer/producer/real estate mogul Stephen Belans provided drums and percussion and lots of cheap laughs.

Lately, Williams has been performing acoustic shows around Austin with guitarist/dobroist Jon Bookout (Plum). Working in this duo setting has inspired him to write songs that will, most likely, make up a new record. Stay tuned.