Charles Wesley Godwin is finally getting the credit he deserves as one of the best artists in country music. Of course, How The Mighty Fall helped propel his career in the right direction and lay the groundwork for a large, mainstream fanbase. After opening for some bigger artists and appearing on Zach Bryan’s “Jamie” in 2022 excited independent country fans could see that he was right on the edge of a breakthrough. His recent success can be credited to his major-label debut LP Family Ties which came out in September of 2023. Despite all that, Charles Wesley Godwin’s penchant for delivering masterfully written songs has never wavered. Five years after its release, his debut solo record Seneca still holds up as a timeless testament to the West Virginian storyteller’s talent.
On February 15, 2019, Charles Wesley Godwin made his official entrance into country music as a soloist with Seneca. Five years later, that album is still known for some of Godwin’s biggest fan favorites including “Hardwood Floors,” “Seneca Creek,” and many more. This opus transcends mere compilation, with each track working as a part of a gorgeous, gothic concept record about where Charles came from. For most of this record, you won’t find the glossy, densely-layered production of “Temporary Town” or “Cue Country Roads.” Even so, the stripped-back nature of this record makes Charles and his articulate delivery the focal point in every single song; whether he’s singing about his grandparents’ love story or his passion for Appalachia.
Godwin’s genuine affection for his West Virginian roots permeates this record, akin to the amber shades that permeate an Appalachian autumn sunset. This is particularly evident in “Seneca Creek” and “Coal Country.” Both tracks are definitive standouts on Seneca, paying homage to Charles’s roots in different ways; “Coal Country” is about all that Appalachia’s done for the greater United States as an unsung hero largely forgotten by history. Conversely, “Seneca Creek” imagines what it must have been like for his grandparents to fall in love and grow old together in that country that’s become so sacred to him. Together, these songs forge a love letter to his home state that’s both personal and easily understood.
Of course, “Seneca” wasn’t the first time country fans had heard this Appalachian style delivered by a bearded guy with a deep voice; however, it was the first time that most of us had been introduced to Charles. With this record, he felt like the missing puzzle piece in country music. We’d seen artists like Tyler Childers or Sturgill Simpson fall into this type of country music but Godwin takes a different approach to it; he paints a picture that usually isn’t about himself, but the things, people, and places he cares most about. He serves as a biographer for his family and homeland with poetry as his medium.
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Sitting quietly at track number five is “Strawberry Queen,” which offers a personal story about how Godwin fell in love with his wife. The production is sparse and acoustic, with a staccato mandolin creating a plucky bluegrass atmosphere. Meanwhile, “Hardwood Floors” stands out as an infectious fan-favorite, showcasing Godwin’s ability to rock out (acoustically) with his raging on-stage energy, complete with a blazing steel guitar solo.
One key fact about this record that just can’t be overlooked is that it was written entirely by Godwin alone, underscoring the love that he has for every one of these songs. He’s always been a real “artist’s artist,” and his songs aren’t mere products to be consumed by the masses. Each one means something to him, and he and producer Al Torrence made it their mission on this record to get the very most out of each one.
Seneca laid the groundwork for Charles Wesley Godwin to cement his place as a standout artist in country music. His unwavering commitment to his own unique style, coupled with his honest storytelling, has helped him build a passionate fanbase that will follow him wherever he goes. Charles hasn’t tried to mesh his style to fit in more with mainstream audiences; now signed to Big Loud Records, he’s finally reaping the rewards for that. Still, on the fifth anniversary of his solo debut, it’s cool to remember that none of this would be possible without the masterpiece that is Seneca.
9.3/10
