Our 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.
Frank Fairfield’s Blue Series will be released on 7” vinyl and iTunes on January 21st and will be everywhere fine independent records are sold. It is available for pre-order now.
Lastly, overseas fans can check out Frank’s current tour dates below including UK and Spain with Cass McCombs!
08/01 Bristol, UK Colston Hall w/ Cass McCombs
09/01 Glasgow, UK CCA w/ Cass McCombs
10/01 Manchester, UK Deaf Institute w/ Cass McCombs
11/01 Leeds, UK Howard Assembly Room
13/01 London, UK Queen Elizabeth Hall w/ Cass McCombs
14/01 Cardiff, UK Gwidihw
16/01 Kilkenny, IE Cleere’s
17/01 Dundalk, IE Spirit Store
18/01 Dublin, IE The Grand Social
20/01 Madrid, ES Teatro Lara w/ Cass McCombs
21/01 Cadiz, ES Edifico Constitucion 1812 w/ Cass McCombs
23/01 Barcelona, ES Sala Apolo w/ Cass McCombs
24/01 Marseille, FR Data
25/01 Vendome, FR Chapelle St Jacques
26/01 St Ouen, FR Mains d’Oeuvres
27/01 Nancy, FR Off Kultur
28/01 Rennes, FR Mondo Bizarro
He should really credit Bill Monroe in that devils medley as well…god knows Bill earned it…
Ah, this is quite, quite lovely! Thank you very much for the introduction to Mr. Fairfield. Need to have one of my local record shops order his self-titled lp for me so I can dig deeper.
Just got my shipping confirmation. Thanks, TMR guys’n’gals.
He looks like a hipster Ray Donovan, and that’s cool…
Gotta love a musician that includes playing banjo to his or her resume. Always enjoy seeing a reference to Doc Watson…following Earl Scruggs ended up discovering Doc Watson and feel very fortunate to have seen him play 3 shows later on in his life. The 3rd show was at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. / The one time, Titan quarterback, Billy Volek was from Fresno (if I am remembering correctly…just a little extra factoid).
Quality… carry on!
One of the things I love the most about Third Man Records is Jack has introduced me to great musicians and artists I normally would never had heard of. Thanks Jack! Keep up the great work you are doing. Now I’m really looking forward to your new album.
I agree with Tommyyy, please TMR, I want this or other songs from Frank, it can be color, it can be anything you want…I love the music and his voice. May be you can add it to vault #19 as a tiny little gift to us. Anyway I’m pretty pleased with this vault. You’ve never disappointed me.
Check it, y’all— http://youtu.be/56CBVKE99rI
nope, nope, will not spend money…. GAH!