The Street Was Always There

Performer: Eric Andersen
Artist: John Sebastian; Happy Traum; Wyclef Jean; Patrick Sky; Pete Kennedy
Engineer: Andy Grassi; Chris Andersen; Hubert Deans; Andy Grassi...
Producer: Robert Aaron; Robert Aaron...
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Personnel: Eric Andersen (vocals, electric guitar); Eric Andersen; Wyclef Jean (vocals, guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar); Phil Ochs (vocals); Robert Aaron (electric guitar, cuatro, flute, melodica, clarinet, saxophone, piano, organ, keyboards, synthesizer, bass guitar); Eddy Martinez, Eddy Jo Martinez (electric guitar); Donald Guillaume, Frank Valardi, Donald Guillaume, Frank Valardi (drums); Ismael Bruno (congas, bongos, shaker, shekere); Ismael "Bongo" Bruno (bongos, percussion); Kevin Tooley (shaker); Carole Sylvan (vocals); Pete Kennedy (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar); Happy Traum (acoustic guitar); Patrick Sky (Uilleann pipe); John Sebastian (harmonica); Raul Agraz (trumpet); A.J. Mantas (vibraphone); Willy Martinez, Richard Dworkin (drums); DJ Leon Higgins (scratches). Audio Mixer: Andy Grassi. Liner Note Authors: Eric Andersen; Robert Aaron. Recording information: Nevessa Production, Woodstock, NY; Platinum Sound, New York, NY; Snow Hill Music, New York, NY. Editors: Andy Grassi; Robert Aaron. Photographers: Diana Davies; Carol Rothman; Douglas R. Gilbert. Arranger: Robert Aaron. This is the first of a projected two-volume set by singer/songwriter Eric Andersen showcasing the songs of his youth, by some of its best-known as well as all-but-forgotten songwriters from the New York Greenwich Village scene of the early- to mid-'60s. There are modern versions of classics, like Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Universal Soldier," Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall," Tim Hardin's "Misty Roses," Fred Neil's "The Other Side of This Life," and Phil Ochs' "I Ain't Marching Anymore." There are tunes that are now considered obscure, too, such as Paul Siebel's "Louise," David Blue's "These 23 Days in September," Patrick Sky's "Many a Mile," Peter La Farge's "Johnny Half-Breed." There's also a pair of originals, in the title track and "Waves of Freedom." Interestingly, in spite of all this company, the most convincing tune on the set is "Waves of Freedom" by Andersen himself. ~ Thom Jurek

Dirty Linen (p.48) - "The years spent on the road are apparent in the coarseness in Andersen's voice, but his passion for these time-less tunes shines through in his powerful performances on this disc." Mojo (Publisher) (p.114) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[E]ach piece is illuminated by Andersen's intimate understanding of its strengths. Many of these writers are now gone, but this loving tribute reminds us that the songs live on."

In the mid-'60s, Eric Andersen made the pilgrimage from upstate New York to Greenwich Village to become a part of the burgeoning folk scene. As one of the first of the Bob Dylan-era singer/songwriter crop, he became a star of the folk world. His Dylanesque vocal style, photogenic appearance, and tendency towards romantic balladry furthered his cause. By the early '70s he was poised to cross over to pop/rock stardom but was foiled by business imbroglios. Nevertheless, he continued working into the 21st century, low-profile but still artistically vital.

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.3

Shipping Options and Policies