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Trout Fishing in America: Closer to the Truth
ByMusic of sweetness and light, with a beautiful sense of humor.
Trout Fishing in America is a local band stationed in North Arkansas that has been a fixture on the Arkansas music circuit for the past 20 years. Their name, of course, is from a book by '70s writer Richard Brautigan. Comprised fundamentally of Ezra Idlet: on guitars and vocals and the classically trained Keith Grimwood on basses and vocals, Trout Fishing has forged an interesting and provocative sound. At 6’ 9", Idlet towers above his partner of twenty years, Grimwood (5’ 5 ½"). Under the microscope (if they could get there) these two musicians betray a powerful synergy. Their repertoire is full of distinctive songs and superb musicianship, intelligence, humor, charm and performance. And performance is how to hear them. Typically, Trout Fishing's music is of sweetness and cleverness as is evidenced in the lyrics of "Old Things" ("Now I don't mind progress but it's hard to get attached to a new idea that's obsolete the moment it gets hatched") or "After You've Gone" ("Nothing can take your place, I'll have more closet space after you've gone"). They use folk styles and '20s and '30s Tin Pan Alley melodies as a vehicle for their smart lyrics. Should you have an opportunity to catch them in a show, by all means, go.
Track Listing
Dreaming; Old Things; Closer To The Truth; Keep It On The Positive Side; Dangerous; Big Boys In Bad Shape; Alberta Postcard; But I Do; There You Go; After You've Gone; Almost September; Would It Be So Bad; The Sun And The Moon And The Stars. (Total Time: 59:35)
Personnel
Ezra Idlet: Guitars And Vocals; Keith Grimwood: Basses And Vocals. Trout Fishing In America Is Joined By: Fred Bogart: Organ; Chris Munson, Dale Armstrong: Drums; David Angel, Vassar Clements: Violin; Anders Osborne: Slide Guitar; Bob Manson: Cello Mickey Raphael: Harmonica; Jerry Douglas: Dobro; Shawn Harris: Percussion; Lee Owen: Banjo-Necked Acoustic; Tim O'Brien: Mandolin.
Album information
Title: Closer to the Truth | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Trout Records
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