Frank and Erik. Two Great CDs

Subject: Frank and Erik. Two Great CDs
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 02:18 PM

Sometimes it takes the Canadian postal system a lonnnnng time to get things to your door...and sometimes it's really worth the wait. Two CDs I've recently received, surely fit into that category.

Frank Hamilton's "Long Lonesome Home" (ITR records) is a real treat. As I've mentioned several times, the old "Nonesuch" Folkways album he did with Pete Seeger many years ago has been in constant rotation in my life since I was 14. (probably 'cause it's fun, spontaneous, and the guys picked good tunes to play) "Long Way Home" couldn't be more different in many ways but will probably be just as popular around here. The songs are mostly traditional, and are well-sung and played. A couple of surprises are the Woody Guthrie reminiscenses (I love that stuff) and a recreation of the sound of the Weavers. Frank's wife Mary is a big part of the music here and long-time sideman (and Byrd) Roger McGuinn lends a hand.

Erik Darling (also a former Weaver) has produced an album (Child, Child. on Folk Era) that is tight as a drum. The vocals and instrumental work are seamless and always interesting. Like Frank's most of the material is traditionally based (they both have recorded "Jay Gould's Daughter"(!) on their new albums)but Erik's reworkings are more quirky and seem really geared to his simple but highly original guitar style. He was the first folk guitarist I heard to use tenths, and 40 years later they're still in his music and still effective. A Most enjoyable album.

These two recordings are so unlike anything I've received for radio play in the last couple of years, that I wonder how much exposure they'll get. Neither artist is a traditional "purist" in approach, and neither is a "singer-songwriter" in the way that term has come to be known. Erik Darling does write a bit about his personal feelings, but hardly in a way that someone used to the Ani DiFranco style would relate to.

Both these artists wear their music like comfortable clothes. The skills are there, the investment is undeniable (for anyone who might care about that aspect) and the results are: folk-related music with SUBSTANCE. That's all I ever ask for.

Rick

P.S. Thanks Frank.

Subject: RE: Frank and Erik. Two Great CDs
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 05:09 PM

Hi Rick,

Thank you so much! Mary thanks you too. We are most grateful. I know that Erik would be pleased. I'll send this to him.

I'm honored that a fellow artist of your fine calibre has such nice words for us.

Frank and Mary

Subject: RE: Frank and Erik. Two Great CDs
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 10:15 PM

Don't mention it Frank.

Rick

Subject: RE: Frank and Erik. Two Great CDs
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 01:49 AM

Ya know, we really DO need a "Review" section as part of the 'Cat format and I know its something Max is working towards in the future. I got Frank's album awhile back and always meant to say something. I don't have the Darling album, but just before Frank's I picked up a couple of Sandy's Custom Cassettes...one of Frank Proffitt and the other is the Edna Ritchie. I think I've mentioned both in threads, but they too deserve some additional comment, ie.,outside of that wonderful "Ritchie family voice," the Edna Ritchie album is the most tasteful use of traditionally styled Appalachian Dulcimer I've ever heard. I'll do those in the near future on individual threads but I think a little "Reviews" section of the E-Zine would be really a nice touch, like the bios of some of the bluesmen we now have.

Spaw-(and Frank DOES have a fine album IMHO)

Subject: RE: Frank and Erik. Two Great CDs
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 06:36 PM

Spaw, thank you so much! Most grateful.

Rick,

How do you get rid of "guest" that keeps popping up next to my name? I don't feel like a guest but more a member of Mudcat. What do I do?

Frank

Subject: RE: Frank and Erik. Two Great CDs
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 07:05 PM

Join up frank...It doesn't cost anything but it implants a cookie thing in your computer so that you don't have to type in your name evertime...also you have a personal page to track threads that interest you, and send personal messages, etc. Max added the "Guest" thing as a stopgap measure because we've had a few "flaming"incidents lately and some one did it under another members name. One of those stupid things that have been going around here lately...it'll pass, but its a pain nonetheless. If you've already joined and you're getting the guest thing, go to membership and log in again. If it's still a problem, contact Max or Joe Offer.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Frank and Erik. Two Great CDs
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 07:58 PM

HAW, HAW, HAW Frank! You are asking probably the most computer challenged Mudcatter on the planet! Even when my computer guru (the wonderful mudcatter Tony Burns) hands me something on a plate I can't seem to make it work! He installed a thing called "easy fill" for dropping e-mail addresses, websites, blue clickys etc. and I can hardly ever get it to work...even after he showed me how, a second time!

If the word "JERK" appeared next to my name I wouldn't know how to get rid of it!

Rick

Subject: RE: Frank and Erik. Two Great CDs
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 09:29 AM

However, I know enough about record distribution to know that Erik Darling's album won't be easy to find.(at least in the east) Anyone know if he's got distribution other than Folk-Era?

Rick