I am delighted to share with you a nice new, easy listening folk tape I recently came across. The tape is Rear View Mirror by Another Roadside Attraction. This duo is made of Rich Simmons and Tom Knecht, who perhaps many of you may have heard during appearances at FolkFire Night at Brandt's on Monday evenings in the Loop. I met them there recently when I was M.C. for the event. They are masterful musicians and some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Their live performances are fun and beautifully delivered, and the tape accurately reflects this. The tape is about 45 minutes long, and is quite professionally produced, with an unusually full sound for a folk effort. There are 12 original songs, and 4 special guests including Andy Ploof and Georgy Rock, who lends her haunting vocals on the last tune, and lots of smooth ballads and bluegrassy interpretations along the way. Rich plays acoustic guitar and harmonica and Tom does guitar. They both also contribute vocals.

My favorites were Rear View Mirror, a great example of their smooth ballad style, Love in Amber, and the amazing Spindu Jamma, a blazing instrumental. I think you will find all of their tunes enjoyable.

Please support your local musicians and especially this fine effort from two of our best local talents. Enjoy

Reprinted from Folkfire Magazine