Sam Baker
Posted by: Voltaire on 15 August 2009
I was looking forward to the new release (Cotton) and wondering if there are any other Sam Baker fans in here?
For those who don't know...
quote:
"Baker is the kind of outsider figure that Vic Chesnutt or Johnny Dowd cuts, singular in style, almost astylistic (if there is such a term). His vocals are halting, spoken like he is singing to himself with no mind for the audience, this is a private dialog, the songs are short films playing in his head. It doesnt exclude the audience though; you are drawn in to these tightly sketched dramas by the imagery, the broken vocal and most importantly for the initial listens -- the sympathetic musical backing. These songs have solidity, substance and authority - everything is done on Bakers terms. You enter into his cracked world and it offers up a rewarding listen." -- David Cowling,americana-uk.com
Back in 1986, Baker was traveling in a train through Peru, when the car he was in was blown apart by a terrorist bomb, killing fellow passengers and leaving him clinging to life. Deafened and gravely injured, Baker spent the better part of the next decade working on both a physical and spiritual recovery. It was through storytelling and the art of songwriting that Baker turned to make sense of a sometimes senseless world.
His bio reads like a PR mans dream copy to promote albums but his music...
Posted on: 15 August 2009 by Paul Labrador
Voltaire, thanks for your info.
I only know "Pretty World", one of my favourite records, still frequently playing.
Paul
Posted on: 15 August 2009 by Voltaire
quote:
Originally posted by Voltaire:
Back in 1986, Baker was traveling in a train through Peru, when the car...
should probably say carriage...
Posted on: 15 August 2009 by Voltaire
quote:
Originally posted by Paul Labrador:
Voltaire, thanks for your info.
I only know "Pretty World", one of my favourite records, still frequently playing.
Paul
Hi Paul, Pretty world is the middle part of a trilogy..so Baker says!
Gordon
Posted on: 15 August 2009 by Voltaire
Simply stunning, emotive, evocative, honest, fractured, genuine, broken, realist lyrics delivered with crystaline perfection over a familiar, yet unfamiliar riff and painted brightly upon a desolate landscape
Posted on: 15 August 2009 by Voltaire
Recommended by me...
Posted on: 19 August 2009 by fathings cat
Me too. He is currently on tour and I have tickets to see him at a nice little venue in Norwich.
He does some beautiful stuff.
Posted on: 19 August 2009 by Voltaire
quote:
Originally posted by fathings cat:
Me too. He is currently on tour and I have tickets to see him at a nice little venue in Norwich.
He does some beautiful stuff.
Thank you, I was beginning to think that Paul and I were talking to ourselves...
Gordon
Posted on: 19 August 2009 by fathings cat
quote:
Simply stunning, emotive, evocative, honest, fractured, genuine, broken, realist lyrics delivered with crystaline perfection over a familiar, yet unfamiliar riff and painted brightly upon a desolate landscape
A pretty good summary, can't wait to hear him live.
Good to see him being talked about on here
Gary
Posted on: 30 August 2009 by Paul Labrador
quote:
Originally posted by Paul Labrador:
Voltaire, thanks for your info.
I only know "Pretty World", one of my favourite records, still frequently playing.
Paul
Hi Paul, Pretty world is the middle part of a trilogy..so Baker says!
Gordon[/QUOTE]
Gordon,
I bought the other two discs of thus trilogy too: very worthwhile, thanks again for your recomendation.
Paul
Posted on: 30 August 2009 by Voltaire
Posted on: 01 September 2009 by Diccus62
Don't own any of his records but he has been on my radar for a couple of years and am tempted to see him in Newcastle. Listening to his songs on myspace - they are pretty special
listen hereThanks for the passionate review Gordon :-)
Diccus
Posted on: 03 September 2009 by fathings cat
I saw him play in Norwich last night - an outstanding gig. I would go as far to say as one of the best I have been to.
He is a really warm character, and his music really is something special.
Worth making the effort if he is playing near you.
Gary
Posted on: 03 September 2009 by Andy1912
Thanks for the link - I'm very interested in this stuff - doesn't seem available on vinyl might have to try to find a CD then....
Posted on: 03 September 2009 by fathings cat
No Vinyl I'm afraid but the cds sound pretty fine on my system.
All three are excellent
Posted on: 04 September 2009 by Diccus62
Farthings Cat
Were his cd's available at the gig?
Thanks
diccus
Posted on: 04 September 2009 by fathings cat
Certainly were, £10 each or all three for £25
Regards
Gary
Posted on: 04 September 2009 by Voltaire
quote:
Originally posted by fathings cat:
Certainly were, £10 each or all three for £25
Regards
Gary
That is very good value!
Posted on: 04 September 2009 by Voltaire
Nice to see a few people getting into him.
Posted on: 04 September 2009 by Diccus62
excellent
Posted on: 17 September 2009 by Paul Labrador
[/QUOTE]
Gordon,
I bought the other two discs of this trilogy too: very worthwhile, thanks again for your recommendation.
Paul[/QUOTE]
Yesterdag in Groningen (NL) Sam Baker played with very good help of Tim Lorsch (violin, mandolin, second voice)a lot of songs, most of "Prettty World" for 150 people or so. This performance was very impressive.
Sound was very near to the originals on the discs. Characteristic singing of Sam Baker is particular.
The whole performance was very friendly, helped by some Dutch beer.
Every guest could get autographs, for everybody was a friendly word.
I've enjoyed this evening extremely: what a nice music!
Go and see him if possible... or try his discs.
Paul
Posted on: 18 September 2009 by fathings cat
Couldn't agree more Paul. A very personal gig.
Gary
Posted on: 18 September 2009 by Voltaire
quote:
Originally posted by Paul Labrador:
Gordon,
I bought the other two discs of this trilogy too: very worthwhile, thanks again for your recommendation.
Paul
Glad you enjoyed them Paul. I'm always nervous advising people to spend their hard earned cash on my recommendation but I feel on safe ground with Baker.
Gordon
