Music
Press
(translated from Dutch to English)
"Every so often one witnesses a small wonder. When suddenly you hold a musical gem in your hand, not knowing where the brilliance comes from. Is it the sensitive voice, serene and settled as if the heart is broken? Is it the atmospheric accompaniment of the Goldmine Pickers with fiddle, guitar, mandolin and banjo? Is it the lyrical texts that the melodies center around? Perhaps it is everything at once, but it is especially the singing style with the compelling voice of B.B. Wolfe...Hopefully B.B. Wolfe will continue with the Goldmine Pickers in his musical direction, a shady avenue where the songs are glorified under the trees where branches hang." www.rootstime.be Marcie - (Jun 1, 2008) - Rootstime.be
"b.b. wolfe's debut album "A.K.A." is a road trip through a landscape of fear, sadness, hope, and triumph. It makes you want to hop a freight train and explore the possiblilites of the world. This is traveling music. Not your typical country album, b.b.'s vocals are a mix between Arlo Guthrie and Bob Dylan. The lyrics are poetic and poignant. They strike a chord with the listener's soul- from the part that feels despair, to the part that still has hope. From the song "Broken Ladder" to "And All" the listener is treated to an album that feels both comfortable and familiar. Like a great work of art, the guitar paints the broad strokes, while the dobro, steel guitar, and harmonica add the details that make this album rich and layered. Reminiscent of country music before it went pop, this is music to live by."
Carrie Smith - South Bend Tribune
- South Bend Tribune
"Heart Worn Sleeve," singer/songwriter B.B. Wolfe's sophomore album, is a triumph. The nine songs, all written or co-written by Wolfe, deal with the writer's introspective view of himself and society. Much of it is moving. Wolfe remains within the traditional folk idiom, with suggestions of Dylan. The members of the superb Americana band, Goldmine Pickers – wisely chosen by Wolfe to support him – offer colorful instrumentation, but it is Wolfe's words and phrasing that justify repeated listening. The mysterious Wolfe – the cover art only presents a fly-on-the-ceiling view of the singer – reveals even more layers of his talent than his excellent debut, "A.K.A." A must-have for any serious admirer of good music.
- author: Tom Conway - Freelance Writer
It's not often I pop in a disc from an unfamiliar local performer and I'm not only thoroughly impressed, but I'm surprised almost to the point of being stunned. Mesmerizing, soothing vocals, combined with thoughtful superb writing. The voice is unique, but familiar, it recalls early Dylan of the basement tapes era, but there is more there, an additional warmth reminiscent of Greg Brown or Chris Smither. This is a honest CD, written and performed in the heartland with the unfettered Midwestern sensibilities of an artist possessing uncanny maturity for his sophomore release. I found myself listening to it over and over this afternoon. Highly recommended, one of my favorite CDs of 2008.-
- Steven Johnson Publisher MichiganFolkLive.com
Discography
AKA -2005
HEART WORN SLEEVE -2008
Photos
Bio
In 2005 b.b. wolfe released his first album, AKA, that was played worldwide on roots stations and now in 2008 b.b. released his critically acclaimed HEART WORN SLEEVE. Recognized by Michigan Folk Live as a favorite of 2008, a RadioIndy Gold Artist Award and the GrIndie Award.
Three years have past since AKA hit the airwaves. In that time b.b. has traveled through the heart of American Roots music, from Avalon to the Appalachian's, with the ghost of Harry Smith as his guide.
In these nine songs on HEART WORN SLEEVE you will hear the longing that lay within the spaces of each note played and feel the footprints each one leaves behind. Joining bb on HEART WORN SLEEVE is a group of young musicians who call themselves the Goldmine Pickers. You can also find their music right here on www.cdbaby.com/goldminepickers. Also, joining bb is his recording guru Bruce Bartlett and a friend from the other end of the country, MJ Bishop.
Links
