Willie Wright Nantucket Island (1977)
The petroleum industry has helped save whales from extinction. Sounds cynical—agreed—but before the world's large-scale electrification, lighting was primarily done with oil lamps. And prior to the production of commercially viable petroleum and vegetable oils, whale oil, extracted from whale bladders, was used in these lamps.
From the 16th century onwards, whaling emerged as a serious branch of industry. One of the epicenters of this globally thriving enterprise was the island of Nantucket, located off the coast of Massachusetts. Even Herman Melville commented on Nantucket's whaling dominance in his world-famous novel Moby-Dick (see “Dig Deeper” below): “Two thirds of this terraqueous globe are the Nantucketer's. For the sea is his; he owns it, as Emperors own empires.”
However, starting in the mid-19th century, Nantucket began to decline. First, a large fire –ironically fueled by stored whale oil – devastated much of the settlement. Then, it struggled to compete with mainland ports that were connected to the railway and therefore profited from faster logistics. Finally, the entire Nantucket fleet was destroyed by the Confederates during the American Civil War. By the end of the 19th century, Nantucket had nearly become a ghost island.
In the 1950s, enterprising developers began purchasing large tracts of the island, refurbishing them to create a luxurious destination for wealthy Northeasterners. Nantucket evolved into a popular marina and social hub for the rich and famous, earning it the moniker “Billionaires’ Island.” And so, the island also lured fortune hunters hoping to hustle a share of the wealth from the super-rich.
One of them was Harlem-born Willie Wright. Wright landed in Nantucket in 1976 after two decades of performing on street corners and in small clubs. He aimed for high-paying gigs, generous tips, or even a patron. Trapped on the island through winter, he penned some of his finest original songs, which would later become the album Telling the Truth.
Sold from the trunk of a car and from a handful of resort stages, the album disappeared into the collections and garages of Nantucket tourists. Fortunately, the LP was re-released in 2011 by Chicago's Numero Group label. A standout track is the tribute to Wright's former brief home: “Nantucket Island”. Enjoy.
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