album coming up
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