Californian songwriter John Craigie will be live next week February the 12th @ Hotel Utah – San Francisco, for the release of his 5th full length album : Soft Hail.
5th album… I’ve just bought “Picnic on 405″ last week, his 2007 fourth release. And I’m still starving : you know 
that my appetite for that kind of music is simply insatiable ! Prolific and young, and talented. I won’t tell you that his previous albums are as good as Picnic – I simply can’t afford for the moment to buy his complete discography ! But each of my 13 bucks, buying this album, were immediatly multiply to the value of millions for each of the songs it handles !
For all of you crazy readers that are already addicted to John Craigie’s delicious acoustic mixture of blues and folk, please be sure to leave us a comment about his previous releases. For the others, find below two tracks. The first one from the album I owned and a second one from his coming one. – count on me for positing here a detailed review about ‘Soft Hail’ ! In the meantime, please, send us a feedback from the show.
Artist : John Craigie
Label : none
Where to buy : Cdbaby.com
Olly, another solid find! love how they mixed the bass and drum on “Down The Tracks”. I’ll be buying this puppy.
Kevin, glad to hear you love his music ! I’m afraid you’ve got to buy his complete discography !
John Craigie’s albums just keep getting better. His first offering, “I Always ___ed You” is almost entirely comprised of vocals, guitar and harmonica. A recent remastered version has just been released and is now available (along with all his other discs) on CD Baby. His second disc, “Second Grade Awakening” introduces a backing band of bass and drums with a few surprises thrown in here and there. It’s great sunny day relaxing type album, and Craigie’s first collaboration with drummer/producer Trent Boeschen. “Daddy Long-Legs” Craigie’s third disc, is much more ambitious, introducing electric guitar, horns and other treats to Craigie’s acoustic folk-rock mix. This was the first album recorded at Boeschen’s San Rafael studios, and the sound quality and production values are much better than the previous discs. “A Picnic on the 405″ is an epic concept album with a full array of talented musical guests and a diverse, experimental style. I’ve had a chance to hear an advanced copy of “Soft Hail” and can attest it blows all the other albums away. As introspective and poignant as “Picnic” was swaggeringly bombastic, “Soft Hail” fuses more Americana, Bluegrass and Country influences into Craigie’s traditional folk sound. His songwriting just keeps getting more and more sophisticated and emotionally resonant, and Trent Boeschen has proved himself both a master producer AND percussionist. I can’t wait to get my hands on a real copy of “Soft Hail.” It should be available on CD Baby AND iTunes any day now!
The show at the Hotel Utah was great–John had a tight five piece band backing him up. My only complaints were that they didn’t play long enough! and that the band only plays with him in the Bay Area. The rest of his shows around the country are solo–but his solo act is great too, a traditional folk act with lots of storytelling–John is a hilarious and powerful live performer! Be sure and see him when he comes to your town–he tours nearly year round!
He’ll be in Los Angeles in March. Have him booked marked on my calendar. Can’t wait to see him.
Thank you so much Jonas for giving us more information. Eagerly awaiting for this album !
endowed with talent..
great music..
Soft Hail is available @ cdbaby.com
Olly saw John last night. What a great show. I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. It’s always nice when you leave a show feeling like you know the artist a little better. He really connects with the audience. He said to tell you hello and we all can’t wait to come up to France for a little music festival!
Thank yo so much Trini… I wish I was there. I’ve bought Soft Hail which is digitally available for couple days on emusic.com. What an intense collection !
I’m going to try connecting the local music business here for maturing this project ! But just let you know that it will be an outdoor event in one of the most fabulous natural circus ! Let’s find sponsors !
Note : from my window today : Soft Hail cover !
lol no one cares. at all.