Chewing Pine

Richard Crandell – In the Flower of Our Youth (Tompkins Square, 2008)

A few years ago, picking up any music publication exposed readers to “New Weird America,” alternatively referred to as “Freak Folk.” Devandra Banhart was a fashion plate and James Jackson Toth was releasing dozens of albums. Now, Banhart’s an exhibitionist and Toth plays in a more straight ahead style. The faux-media frenzy that coalesced around all of these artists was capitalized on by some who began re-releasing hard to find folk albums – again occasionally and insipidly called “loner folk.” Tompkins Square isn’t amongst the profiteers. They helped reintroduce Peter Walker to the world and have been steadily releasing albums that touch the past and push the future.

Richard Crandell is still around, picking. Of late, he has released two albums for Tzadik in 2004 and 2007, while In the Flower of Our Youth was re-released on compact disc last year followed by the TSQ vinyl version. This album, finds the guitarist fully formed and basking in the influence of all that is instrumental American folk music. There is a hint of blues, but nothing as overt as in efforts by Fahey. Of course Kottke too is a cornerstone of this music, being given “Minuet for Leo” as a namesake. This is a two way relationship though. On his 1975 album Chewing Pine Kottke turns in a rendition of Crandell’s “Rebecca” that eschews the droning low note and sounds less muscular than the version found here.

It’s odd to describe instrumental guitar music as muscular, but that’s why Crandell is unique. He also manages to summon some pretty dark imagery during “Diagonal” and “Shamrock.” In the later track, notions of Ireland are the assumed genesis of the music, but somewhere Crandell gets lost. He may intend to invoke rolling hills and beer, but in Crandell’s unification of variegated techniques, he accidentally creates something much darker than the title could hint at. It does some bouncing and dancing around, but a menacing undertone is persistent throughout. Given that gloomy notion, it should be understood that a great deal of the music found here is quite playful and if the tunes aren’t enough, listeners can hear Crandell blurt out, “Have a burger. Good night,” during “Assembly Line.”

In the Flower of Our Youth can be rewarding for listeners who enjoy this segment of American music and culture. At times Crandell even comes close to the consistency of his forbearers. But if you don’t own Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death, pick that up first.