May 2008
But an unmistakable moral seriousness runs through all 11 of Franks refreshing songs. His skepticism toward authority and institutions informs the deep respect his ballads show for human dignity when uncoupled from status and wealth. This lends credibility to his explicit claim of being a folksinger despite writing his own material. Regarding the elitist claims that were all "one big family" and "in the same boat," Frank says, "If this is how they treat their famly / I feel sorry for all their kin." Thats a representative swatch of the pithy chambray fabric Franks words weave, hitting them with a couple of words banned from TV while waxing awestruck toward us who face life-and-death decisions when their trucks and trains turn lethal. He isnt obsequiously generous: The albums just over 38 minutes long. He doesnt indulge himself. There are no jams or even long instrumental introductions or endings. Wheres Frank been all these years that weve needed his kind of artist? Well, Vanguard released his eponymous LP in 1972. Legend has it that at the release party Vanguard gave him he played a set with no songs from the album. Applying his irreverence to his label meant no follow-up album. We can only hope that wont be the case this time. GO BACK TO: |