Formats
TMR244 - 7"
Details
Third Man Records’ first Blue Series single of the year (TMR244) is a dark and delirious slice of new American Primitive from the modern master of the form, FRANK FAIRFIELD. For the uninitiated, Frank is a Fresno, California native (and now Los Angeles resident) and a genius on the fiddle, guitar, banjo who possesses a broken soulful voice that perfectly reflects the tragedy and damnation of the subject matter reflected in the timeless American music that he’s made his stock and trade through his albums on Tompkins Square, and through countless tours from coast to coast. On side A Frank delivers his unique take on the traditional murder ballad "Duncan & Brady," which details a barroom shooting of police officer James Brady in St. Louis back in 1890. The song has been interpreted a number of times over the years from a wide range of luminaries, including Leadbelly, Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk and Judy Henske. The B side finds Frank switching up from the guitar to the fiddle and being accompanied by Zac Sokolow also on fiddle performing "Devil’s Dream Medley." "Devil’s Dream Medley" blends the duo fiddles with vocal elements from the song June Apple, popularized by Wade Ward and Doc Watson. Lastly, overseas fans can check out Frank’s current tour dates below including UK and Spain with Cass McCombs! 01/08 Bristol, UK Colston Hall w/ Cass McCombs 01/09 Glasgow, UK CCA w/ Cass McCombs 01/10 Manchester, UK Deaf Institute w/ Cass McCombs 01/11 Leeds, UK Howard Assembly Room 01/13 London, UK Queen Elizabeth Hall w/ Cass McCombs 01/14 Cardiff, UK Gwidihw 01/16 Kilkenny, IE Cleere’s 01/17 Dundalk, IE Spirit Store 01/18 Dublin, IE The Grand Social