the upcoming recording project in 2014

 f.w.smolls the letting down vol.2 

is to be recorded, produced and released by the danish producer/sound engineer/musician Anders Christophersen, founding member of the danish band Balstyrko.  This album will contain of 13 americana sounding compositions.

listening intensively to very early country blues, work songs, sacred  ballads, gospel, bluegrass and other northern american art and song forms, may explain the sound and texture of these F.W.Smolls compositions.

fascinated by the honest and very direct expression of early american folk music, F.W.Smolls could not resist the urge to write another sad love song, but this time in the key of major, with an upbeat waltz feel to it. like the song “in the way”, an ode to seasickness, trains and sex.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-US2Hd1-lGg

inspired by the real life experience quality lyrics of early american folk songs, F.W. was wondering if he could dedicate a song to his dedicated and beloved grandmother Else Klein? you might as well call her Mrs.F.W.Smolls. well, listen to the song “ born in nineteen thirteen” and answer that question yourself.

https://soundcloud.com/f-w-smolls

 

 

real life experience also characterizes the line up of musicians, which F.W.Smolls choose for a band on this upcoming record.

 

R. W. Biggs  on guitar, vocals, guidance     Born the 17th of March 1950 in New York City.

Martin Tomlinson  on guitar, vocals, jokes       Born in England 1949,

 

Fritz Klein  on  bass, vocals, love

In Germany 1950 Fritz was born as a son to Friedrich Wilhelm Klein and Else Klein, in 1979 he became the father of Matthias Arbo Klein. it might be confusing to some, but he is the son and the father of F.W.Smolls. being a very experienced and capable singer and bass player and seemingly fitting the age that F.W. requires of his musicians, Fritz is the perfect fit.

these three men were chosen because of their experience, because of their age. they have been around during the first folk revival of the 1960`s. they have seen some of the greats of americana, they have always listened to americana, they have always played americana.

they are just a bit more americana then F.W.Smolls and some, if not all of the younger musicians, that are playing old and composing new material, and therewith making the second folk revival happening right now. one might say, that they are first folk revival veterans. Smolls says, that they are fun to be around and fun to play with.

the recording process will be filmed by Anders Graver, and with time and grands falling into its place, turned into a documentary. F.W. is sure that a lot of people might be interested to see how you make a record with your dad and two other 64 year old men.

 

“America i hear you singing” is the core-, the heart-song of this second letting down volume. it is a father telling his story to his daughter, explaining while understanding himself, what had happened to him and to her family.

please follow this link to see the music video to this song directed by Anders Graver

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZxkKoZarLs

 

america i hear you singing   /  f.w.smolls, september 27th 2013

 

america i hear you singing

but it`s no song of mine

it is a gospel church bell ringing

telling me the time

 

it is a sad and mellow sound

that creeps into my ears

i know where i am bound

it`s been a haunting me for years

 

i start to travel back in time

to the days i´d spend in schools

i see myself walk down a line

my teachers marked with rules

 

my parents taught me how to follow

so i walked it straight and proud

that was before the sorrow

the times before the doubt

 

now i know what was to come

but i am sure it`s news to some

 

well i tried to reach the goals they`d set

i ran a solid mile

i saw my father jump his seat

i made my mother smile

 

i was a child when i met ann

and i made her mine

i bought that house on main street ten

a cell to do my time

she kept it clean i´d cut the loan

my paycheck would disappeared

to that big old house we called our home

each mortgage due  i feared

 

soon i became your father

and before the year was out

i became the father of your baby brother

and that made my parents proud

 

now i know what was to come

but i am sure it`s news to some

 

with a family of four and your mum wanting more

i felt the need to stop

she twenty one, i twenty four

we`d grow apart growing up

 

we`d never screamed  we`d never fight

we`d labour side by side

but when you were asleep we would not talk

we would stay on our own bed side

 

i loved my girl, my boy my wife

yes i did

not knowing what was missing

i went in search and lid

 

a match to the lie i tried to live

to the hope of something higher

the line i walked came to an end

soon everything caught fire

 

now i know what is to come

but i am sure it`s news to som

 

now i know what is to come

but i am sure it`s news to some