Singer-songwriter Robbie Fulks has been revered as a treasure of sorts. Self proclaimed as having the “soul of a country singer and the mind of a vaudevillian” he is a performer through and through and the history of his long career is a doozy. But perhaps what is so impressive about a writer withe a pedigree including WSM, NPR and a few other 3 letter acronym media outlets is that he continues to pressure test himself and challenge what songwriting is. His latest release does just that is pushes the craft of songwriting even further.
“Aunt Peg’s New Old Man” encompasses the very best of traditional folk and bluegrass music. Bits and pieces of John Hartford and Doc Watson line the inner part of the singers voice. Dotted with the clawhammer pick of a banjo twanging in the background and solos all around. A simple storied narrative and flows well and Fulks’ voice melting perfectly into the stew of sounds from the fiddle and hot licks on an acoustic guitar.
The tune really moves along like a freight train. Classic harmonies and breaks. This is the type of stuff that really gets me going and I have a great deal of nostalgia for, and I would imagine Robbie does as well.
Give a listen today and get on out to Club Passim on May 5th where Robbie Fulks will be celebrating the release of his new record “Upland Stories”. Tickets HERE.