The New Yorker magazine said it
best: “If you’re missing Fred Eaglesmith, you’re really missing out.” An
award-winning and acclaimed music auteur of the highest order, he has forged
a singular and distinctive legacy with his songs, recordings, live
performances, achievements and impact unlike that of anyone else in
contemporary music. And he’s done so as a fiercely independent and original
artist through the sheer power of the music he creates.
His 17 albums over the last three
decades — many of them released on his own label — have consistently evoked
critical raves, and he’s been compared to a broad blue-ribbon list of
musical icons. His fellow songwriters regularly record his songs and sing
his praises. He hosts a number of music festivals across North America,
where he plays hundreds of dates a year in addition to touring Europe and
Australia. Devoted fans follow him from one show to another to savor what
one reviewer calls the “fury and fun” of his unforgettable shows. His
releases consistently hit the upper reaches of the Americana charts, and
he’s the only Canadian to ever write a No. 1 bluegrass hit. His songs have
even become part of the course curriculum at two colleges, and the paintings
he creates when not making music have been shown in numerous prestigious
galleries.
His latest album, 2008’s Tinderbox,
amply displays the qualities that have made Eaglesmith a true cult
phenomenon. Nominated for a Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the
Year as well as making the short list for The Polaris Prize, the Top 10
Americana chart album explores spirituality, faith, life, love, labor and
more within a full-blooded musical and lyrical experience that draws from
folk, country, rock, gospel, old-time music, bluegrass and even spoken word
to create a stunning contemporary roots music all its own.
It’s been hailed as a “masterwork” (Philadelphia Inquirer),
“milestone” and “one of the best albums of last year” (San Jose Metro)
as well as “exceptional” (Americana Roots), “beautiful” (Ink 19),
“magical” (Houston Press), “magnificent” (Rave), “hypnotic” (Santa
Barbara News Press), “epic in scope and cinematic in effect” (Guelph
Mercury) and “a deep, sad and masterful album that transcends genre and
time. It is Tom Waits meets Pink Floyd meets Hank Williams” (Calgary
Herald).
