TOM CHAPIN
70
Sundance Music 027

www.tomchapin.com
 

I‘ve been a Tom Chapin fan ever since I heard him at a midwest folk festival years ago. His personable stage manner and impeccable songwriting chops impressed me then. He hasn’t slowed down and on this, an album celebrating his 70th birthday, he proves that cranking out great music is not reserved for the young. His warm voice is usually accompanied by his expressive banjo and solid guitar work; he supplements that with mandolin and Autoharp. Others join him on accordion, bass and more, making for really pleasing arrangements that showcase his songs well.
 
He starts off with “Wreckage.” Singing with his frailing banjo, he tells us not to “wallow in the wreckage of the past.” Amen, brother. Bluesman Guy Davis adds a soaring harmonica on the rhythmic “Put a Light in Your Window,” about a weary traveler looking forward to coming home to his sweetheart. It was written with Si Kahn as were several songs in this collection. Chapin has been fighting the good fight for many years, especially when it comes to the environment and he proves it with “The Riverkeeper,” “Ride Out Any Storm,” “Prayer for Bristol Bay,” and “Muhheakunnuk.” He has a way of presenting heavy topics in an informative yet listenable way. “Down There” was written with John Forster and covers the same territory – he admonishes that just because oil and other natural resources are “down there”, we don’t have to get it. It’s got a very singable chorus, perfect for rallies, as do a lot of his songs. I love that it ends on a positive note.

“Myra Jean” is a pretty waltz, and the wistful “Autumn Rain” is great with its simple arrangement of guitar, piano and voice. Guitar players will relate to “Guitar Child,” and even if you don’t play, you’ll appreciate his fine picking on it. “Smart Without Art” is a song every school kid, parent, school administrator, and legislator should learn. He reminds us, “You can’t spell “˜smart’ without “˜art.'” It features some great percussion, giving it a Latin feel. “Old Dogs and Old Friends” is a lighthearted song about both. He includes two covers, a banjo-centered arrangement of Steve Goodman’s “City of New Orleans” and a wonderful rendition of Pete Seeger’s “Quite Early Morning,” the latter a perfect ending for the disc. His daughters sing on this one, and it’s lovely.

Pick up this album, it’s a great one.

— Jamie Anderson