Only three of these twelve finger picked guitar and banjo tracks are traditionals arranged by Parr, but you’d never know it. The feeling, experience and sheer talent ranks Parr’s compositions right up there with the classics. It’s no surprise that he counts among his fans the illustrator R. Crumb and slow-core rockers Low. Charlie’s music has an appeal that spans genres. From old folkies, punks, soccer moms, indie kids to everyone in-between, the authentic voice and utter lack of pretence of the music speaks to everyone.

While some may be tempted to class Parr with acts like Seasick Steve, there is only the most superficial of similarities in their music. Charlie is considered “one of the most important contemporary protagonists of the American folk tradition” by the Bath International Music Festival, and it’s no surprise. These songs are records of the journeys, troubles and experiences of real people. Charlie creates music in the folk and blues tradition of just about anyone you’d find on the Smithsonian’s seminal box-set, the Anthology of American Folk Music, many of the artists within he’s cited as influences.

Songs

1. Don’t Send Your Child to War
2. Far Cry From Fargo
3. Walk Around My Bedside
4. Warmin’ by the Devil’s Fire
5. Midnight Has Come and Gone
6. Come Along and See
7. Adrift in Lake Superior at Sunrise
8. Cropduster
9. Last Payday at Coal Creek
10. The B&J Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hole in the Groud
11. Farmer
12. God Moves on the Water

Order this album from Misplaced Music.

Reviews

Zeitgeist
One of the best albums I’ll hear all year, anyone who likes their blues done the old way needs to have this.

Subba-Cultcha
No-one who didn’t live this music could pull this off as well. Any bluegrass / country fan should move hell or high water to get their hands on a copy.

Norman Records
Anyone into American folk music will love this. It’s done with so much feeling and knowledge about the subject you’d think Charlie was about 100 years old and had been making it for years. Authenticity is the word here.

Sunday Tribune (Ireland)
Arguably the best blues guitarist of his generation, the aftermath of Parr’s live shows have more than once been marked by accomplished guitarists approaching him and saying they can never play again having just witnessed his technique.

Irish Times
The way his songs mark the comings and goings of his local community is fascinating, while his love affair with country-blues is reflected in his timeless sound. His music can sound like a field recording, and sometimes actually is, as with this new collection, his seventh. It can also sound quite stark and rough. If this all sounds too much like the economy, fear not, Parr is not out to tax your ears.