Digging on Willi

Over time, my tastes grew to encompass rock ’n’ roll, country, folk, jazz — well, I could keep the list going, but there is no point. Whatever style of music it is, I like at least some of it. I remember in my younger years the excitement I felt when I stumbled onto a new album that treated me to sounds and lyrics the likes of which I’d never heard. Such discoveries are the greatest joys of music fandom.

These days, I get that excitement less often. I think that’s because my head and heart are so filled with decades of music; it takes a lot to make an impression on me. But Willi Carlisle, the subject of Rob Rushin-Knopf’s splendid story for us this week, has revived that old excitement in me. I’ll refer you to Rob’s story to get a detailed look — and listen — at Carlisle’s music. In the story, we’ve embedded a video and a few other tracks from his new album, “Peculiar, Missouri,” all for your listening pleasure.

For my part, I’ll just say that this six-feet-four-inch gay ex-football player is writing some of the most amazing folk music I’ve heard in a long time, with smart, literate lyrics that have the power to melt even the coldest of hearts. I hope you dig Willi as much as Rob and I do.