This review is written by Kevin McCarthy, 8/05
Kevin and Maxine’s Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews
http://www.icogitate.com/~celticfolkmusic/index.html
Bob Franke is hereby enshrined into the pantheon of
singer-songwriters whose music will resonate far beyond his mortality and be meaningfully enjoyed by
generations.
In a play of words off his decades-ago second release "One
Evening In Chicago," this is Bob Franke in concert, specifically WFMT's
Folkstage. The twin lures of this recording are experiencing both a
Franke concert and, for the very first time, a collection of his
marvelous artistry.
There are very, very few performers who can point to a
portfolio such as this: "Alleluia, the Great Storm Is Over," "Hard
Love," "For Real," "A Healing In This Night," "Thanksgiving Eve" and "A
Still Small Voice." All these 'desert isle musts' appear on this
release.
The binding theme of many of Franke's songs is healing or
attempts at such. In fact, all of the above-listed songs involve such
direction.
"...It was hard love, it was hard on you, I know"For Real" is a priceless guide to living life.. The chorus:
When the only love I gave to you was love I couldn't show
You forgave the heart that loved you as your lover turned to go
Leaving nothing but the memory of hard love..."
"...There's a hole in the middle of the prettiest life'Thanksgiving Eve" continues the theme:
So the lawyers and the prophets say
Not your father nor your mother
Nor you lover's gonna ever make it go away
And there's too much darkness in an endless night
To be afraid of the way we feel
Let's be kind to each other
Not forever but for real..."
"...What can you do with your days but work & hope
Let your dreams bind your work to your play
What can you do with each moment of your life
But love til you've loved it away..."
With "A Still Small Voice," one of his earliest gems, Franke is as literate as ever.
Writing of answering a calling and heeding one's quiet conscience, he
mixes real life events and biblical references with the personal in
an oh-so-genuine look at how to live a full life.
Franke himself kindly best sums up the effect his work has on listeners, with this snippet from "A Healing In This Night":
"...There are words that change the way you look at things
There are sounds that silence idle talk
And there are songs that circle in your mind and seek your heart
and find it, and seize it like a hawk..."
Get all these and more with this CD. There is Bob Franke, the humorist, in
"Acid Polka;" a touching tune for his daughter with "Love Bravely,
Elizabeth;" the biting "Collateral Damage;" the spiritual "Source;" the
touching "Sleeping Hearts" and more.
This CD is an ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE.
Ownership, copyright and title of this folk music CD review belongs to me, Kevin McCarthy. Ownership, copyright and title are not transferable or assignable to you or other parties regardless of how or if you or other parties use, copy, save, backup, store, retrieve, transmit, display, publish, modify or share the CD review in whole or in part. Please read the "Terms, Conditions and Disclaimer" section on my web site for additional information about using, quoting, or reprinting this CD review.
Send inquiries to: celticfolkmusic@icogitate.com.
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