Bob Frank
Bob Frank | |
---|---|
Birth name | Robert Frank |
Born | Memphis, United States | February 26, 1944
Origin | Memphis |
Genres | folk |
Occupation(s) | musician, songwriter, composer, arranger |
Instrument | Singer-songwriter |
Years active | 1969-1973, 2001-present |
Labels | Vanguard Records, Bowstring Records, Evangeline, Memphis International, Decor |
Website | [1] |
Robert Landis Frank (born February 26, 1944) is an American musician, singer/songwriter and composer. His debut self-titled record was issued on Vanguard Records in 1972 to critical acclaim and is a collectors item [1] that was reissued on Light in the Attic in 2014. He has recorded and toured with Memphis singer/songwriter John Murry, shared a stage with Gus Cannon, Jimmy Driftwood, Lightning Hopkins, Tim Buckley and Townes Van Zandt, and was a paid songwriter for Tree Publishing.[1] He currently lives in El Sobrante, California.
Frank's 20th century version of the late Middle English classic, "A Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode" (Child Ballad #117), released on Bowstring Records in 2001, received rave reviews from English professors, music critics, historians, actors, college professors, school teachers and Oxford dons.
Critical reception
Though not widely known, Frank's songs have earned wide critical acclaim. Jim Dickinson, a producer for Big Star and a Memphis music legend, called Frank "the greatest songwriter you never heard."[2] In Rolling Stone, Senior Editor David Fricke called Frank's debut "beautifully stark" and compared him to Warren Zevon[3] Frank's collaboration with singer/songwriter John Murry on 2006 LP World Without End was praised in the Village Voice, Uncut, Rolling Stone, The Irish Times and The Independent UK.[4] His songs have been recorded by Jim Dickinson, Chris LeDoux, Gary McMahan, and others.[5]
Discography
Albums
- Bob Frank (Vanguard Records, 1972)
- A Little Gest of Robin Hood (Bowstring Records, 2001)
- Keep On Burning (Bowstring Records, 2002)
- Pledge of Allegiance (Bowstring Records, 2004)
- Ride the Restless Wind (Bowstring Records, 2005)
- World Without End (Bowstring Records, 2006; Evangeline - US, Decor - UK, 2007)
- The Gunplay EP (Evangeline - US, Decor - UK, 2007)
- Red Neck, Blue Collar (Memphis International, 2008)
- Brinkley, Arkansas, and Other Assorted Love Songs (Evangeline, 2009)
- The Scenic Route (Bowstring Records, 2010)
- Twilight in Tolleson (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2016)
- By the Light of the Lamp (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2017)
- Squeeze It Easy (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2017)
- Dancing in Dallas (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2018)
References
- ^ a b Ruhlmann, William and McGregor, Don Bob Frank Biography, All Music Guide.
- ^ Official Bio Decor Records Bio Archived July 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, 2008.
- ^ Official web site "Fricke's Picks, Rolling Stone Archived July 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, 2008.
- ^ Official Web Site "Fricke's Picks, Rolling Stone Archived July 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Fink, Matt Free Beer Tomorrow Review, All Music Guide.
External links
- 1944 births
- Living people
- American country singers
- American male singer-songwriters
- Country blues singers
- American alternative country singers
- American folk singers
- Songster musicians
- People from Memphis, Tennessee
- Singers from Tennessee
- American country singer-songwriters
- Songwriters from Tennessee
- People from El Sobrante, California