Charlie Parr - King Earl CD

King Earl was recorded live to 2-track in one evening in January 2004. It is an album of stunning simplicity. Charlie's rolling chords might often recall the melancholic brilliance of Nick Drake but his voice is ragged and raw and his song writing is heavily steeped in traditional folk, mountain music and the delta blues. The album is a veritable embarrassment of riches, from the good time bar room rag of 'Union Tramp' and 'West Bank 10 String Rag' to the haunting funereal qualities of '1917' and 'King Earl' the album is an incredible journey through the back roads of traditional American folk music.

Songs

1. Worried Blues
2. Posessed By The Devil
3. Union Tramp
4. Reverend Eviction's Blues
5. Miner's Lament
6. V8 Ford Blues part 2
7. King Earl
8. Ode To A New Dealer
9. Mule Rider
10. 1917
11. Jefferson Street Express
12. West Bank 10 String Rag
13. Worried Blues

Reviews

Road Records

This is exactly how folk music should sound, it's raw and exciting.

Americana-UK.com

This album is about dark, gothic blues; men ruined by love, sinners searching for redemption and hope in hopeless times. That someone can still conjure up all of these images with just a voice and guitar confirms, after all these years, the undiminished strength and continuing relevance of traditional American folk music.

Losing Today Magazine

King Earl is that rarest of treats all wrapped in a natural, honest to God rawness. Now you treat it with respect y'hear.

Leeds Guide

In 40 years time King Earl will be hailed as a classic.

Rough Trade

…intimate, soulful, transcendent and essential

Norman Records

Some of these songs are so good it beggars belief.

Related Links

Charlie Parr
Review: File Under (Dutch)
Review: KindaMusik (Dutch)
Review: MilleFeuille (French)
Vanity Project