#2 Folk DJ album charts, April 2016

Old Songs for Modern Folk, is a continuation of the American river of traditional mountain music, ballads and blues. It presents eleven songs that address modern life, from police brutality in ‘Michael Brown’ (an adaptation of the classic ‘Louis Collins’ by Mississippi John Hurt), to the modern immigrant experience in ‘The Ballad of Roosevelt Avenue’ to the exploitative labor practices of ‘Garments of Shame.’ The album also highlights the solo live solo performances. Playing banjo, or guitar, with a few spare riffs of harmonica, the songs borrow melodies and lyrics from the American folk tradition, while telling stories, old and new. A record in the truest sense, in that there is no editing, overdubbing or enhancement with each song recorded completely straight to tape in one take.

Track Listing

1. Freeport Town (trad. arr)                                   2:44   

2. Michael Brown (J.Hurt/Cross arr)                      2:48   

3. Ode to an Old Guitar (Cross)                             2:55   

4. Alone (Cross)                                                      3:06   

5. As the Crow Flies (Cross)                                   3:02   

6. Memories   (Cross)                                              2:53   

7. Garments of Shame (Cross)                                2:43   

8. Zora's Blues (Cross)                                            2:30   

9. Going Down That Road (trad. arr)                      2:57   

10. The Ballad of Roosevelt Avenue (Cross)          3:23   

11. Passing Through             (Cross)                         2:32   

What folks are saying...

"Brings a modern sensibility to songs that lie deep in our musical genes" -Fred Smith (Country Standard Time)

"A very impressive approach and album" - John Weingart, WPRB (Music You Can't Hear On The Radio)

“Blends the old blues traditions of Mississippi Fred McDowell and Son House with the folk traditions of Dave Van Ronk and Tom Rush. Give his CD a listen. You will be rewarded” -John Sillberg, CKOL (Small Time Radio Show)

“Captures the spirit and methodology of the great tradition of troubadours, blues and old-time vocalists, songsters and folk singers. He uses musical and lyrical tropes that have been transmitted across generations to create new songs addressing contemporary issues” -Art Menius, WCOM (The Revolution Starts Now)