Good Morning Mister Williams by Pamela Golden: A Sonic Journey That Sticks With You
Released back in 2014, Good Morning Mister Williams is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. It’s not flashy or loud—it doesn’t need to be. Instead, it wraps itself around your brain like a warm blanket made of sound. Produced entirely by Pamela Golden under her label Golden Pleasure Music, this record blends folk, electronic vibes, experimental twists, and even field recordings into something truly unique. And when I say “unique,” I mean it. This isn’t background music for your grocery run; it’s the kind of thing you sit with, headphones on, letting its layers unfold.
Let me tell ya about two tracks that stuck with me long after the first listen: “Old Texas / Cowboy’s Lament” and “Smoke Signals.”
“Old Texas / Cowboy’s Lament” feels like stepping into an old saloon where time has stopped moving altogether. The haunting vocals from Roshi Nasehi give it this dusty, timeless quality—like she’s singing directly to your soul. Paired with Pamela Golden’s field recordings (which are subtle but powerful), the track creates this eerie yet comforting vibe. You can almost picture tumbleweeds rolling past as the piano keys trickle softly beneath Nasehi’s voice. It’s simple, raw, and kinda perfect.
Then there’s “Smoke Signals,” which hits differently every time you hear it. At first, it seems sparse—a few notes here, some atmospheric hums there—but then it grows on you. The way the sounds layer over each other reminds me of staring at clouds and finding shapes no one else sees. Is it melancholic? Sure. But also hopeful, if you squint hard enough. Maybe it’s the mastering by Samuel Frank that gives it such clarity, or maybe it’s just magic. Either way, it lingers.
One thing worth mentioning is how well everything fits together despite being so eclectic. From Welsh lullabies (“Ar Hyd Y Nos = All Through The Night”) to Iranian-inspired rhythms (“Rooz Haaye Hafteh = Days Of The Week”), Pamela Golden pulls off this global mashup without making it feel forced. Honestly, it shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
What struck me most while listening was how personal it all feels. Like these songs weren’t created for mass appeal—they were born out of genuine curiosity and passion. In today’s world of algorithm-driven playlists, that sincerity stands out like a neon sign in the dark.
And hey, here’s a random thought: If aliens ever visit Earth and ask us what human music sounds like, we should play them Good Morning Mister Williams. Not because it’s typical (it’s anything but) but because it captures our weird, wonderful ability to blend tradition with innovation. Who knows? They might beam us aboard just to hear more.
So yeah, if you’re looking for something fresh yet familiar, grab yourself a copy of this album. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself zoning out during dinner thinking about cowboys and smoke signals.
