Mike Blackwell
Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
August 2008
A debut album this powerful doesn't come along very often, probably even less often from a folkie like Arkansas-resident Mike Blackwell. But Come Back To Me hits all the right notes. Much of the credit probably should go to producer Emily Kaitz, who seemed to know the perfect treatment for each song, but the melodies that Blackwell created certainly made Kaitz's job that much easier. I have to admit that I am not great about remembering a tune after only listening to it a couple times, but I could easily sing eight of the twelve songs on this album by only looking at the lyric sheet — I know because I tried it — and that's some kind of record.
Come Back To Me starts with a cool road song, "Drive On," which allows us to have some hope for our hero. Don't get too happy, though, because just about all the rest of the songs come uncompromisingly from a darker place lyrically, dealing with loss or tragedy. There is an absolutely heartrending moment in "Oh Louisiana," which is about the ravages of Katrina, that sealed the deal for my love of this album.
"Felix The Cat" and "Disappeared" are the best songs on Come Back To Me, with "Felix" showcasing Blackwell's Dylanesque vocal style and both songs featuring absolutely amazing harmony vocals from University of Arkansas opera student Ember Lanuti.
I want to take a moment to say that while the lyrics on Come Back To Me are well-constructed for the most part, I was a bit disappointed by several occurrences of syntactic juggling used to achieve a rhyme, such as this couplet from the title track:
Suggestions from your silence let me know that you're upset.
You seem to understand my feelings, even if my own mind I don't get.
The last phrase of that second line was written to force the rhyme. While I understand what Blackwell is trying to say, he's phrased it awkwardly, and I wish he'd come up with a better way to get his point across.
Having picked that nit, then, I would like to make it perfectly clear that despite some blemishes, the songwriting here is first-rate: from the heart, poetic, originally stated.
The chorus of "Disappeared" is one of my favorite pieces of writing on the album, because it really creates an atmosphere that I can feel as I listen:
And I can only remember how we used to dance
In those beer-stained halls and smoke cheap cigarettes
Down by where the sun sets on the edge of this sleepy, weepy town,
But now I won't be around; I won't make no sound.
No cries, no cries, no tears.
I just won't be here. I just won't be here.
I've disappeared.
Guest artists on Come Back To Me include Keith Grimwood of Trout Fishing in America on upright bass, Donna Stjerna of Still on the Hill on fiddle, and others who round out the sound on mandolin, banjo, congas, pedal steel guitar and more.
With Come Back To Me Mike Blackwell and producer Emily Kaitz have created a stirring album of beautiful songs that will break your heart and give you hope at the same time. Don't let it pass you by. - Texas Music Times - Steve Circeo
Discography
Come Back to Me - April 2008
Soon to be Released:
From the Least Among Us - 2012
Photos
Bio
It's music of the past that so clearly defines Blackwell. Born in Oklahoma, he was introduced to the music of Woody Guthrie in his teen years. Through Guthrie, he then found Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Phil Ochs, Leonard Cohen and a multitude of other songwriters. By the age of 18, Mike was serving on the board of directors for the Orphanage Society, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing national touring folk artists to the Northeast Oklahoma area.
As with many good young writers, Blackwell was dealing with self-destructive traits that kept forging new songs out but also inhibited him from creating any real structure to his life. He left Oklahoma for Austin and a shot at a music career in 1998. He never made it to Austin and went broke within a few months.
Desperate for money and work, Mike joined the Navy and was shipped off to boot camp and eventually Japan in 1999. Four years, three continents and 18 countries later Mike was released from the US Navy just after the beginning of the Iraq War.
Blackwell rededicated his life to writing after he returned to the states. he moved outside of Austin, TX and continued honing his skills. This rededication landed him a spot at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in 2003.
In the fall of 2004, Blackwell entered school at the University of Arkansas. He studied English with and emphasis on creative writing. During these years at the University, Mike met several people that would play instrumental parts in the creation of his debut album as well as his career.
In 2005, while Mike was working with an Arkansas based production company, he began recording pieces of what was to be his debut album. After several hundreds of dollars later and only pieces of tracks finished, Blackwell scrapped the project.
In early 2007, Blackwell asked friend and songwriter/producer Emily Kaitz to assist in the creation of a debut album. Mike recorded the foundation and Emily made it complete.
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