Frank Drake

Frank Drake is one of the most unique musicians around. He is refreshingly free of conventions and covers a wide spectrum of folk-pop-and-more styles showcased beautifully on his new album. He wrote almost all the songs and they are as likely to incorporate a jazzy clarinet as they are a twangy electric guitar, tight backup vocals, a mind-bending dobro or an Appalachian fiddle, all anchored by his own guitar, mandolin and straight-to-the-heart voice. He is a thoughtful writer/arranger who is by turns philosophical, humorous and flavored by a touch of Neil Young's nakedly emotional simplicity and awe about the human condition. This is an album unencumbered by boundaries, but full of spirit and superb musicianship provided by his own group and an all-star cast of Boston artists eager to share in his well-deserved spotlight. - STEVE MORSE, former staff critic at the Boston Globe