Duncan & Brady

Description

For the uninitiated, Frank is a Fresno, California native (now Los Angeles resident) and a genius on the fiddle, guitar, and banjo. He possesses a broken, soulful voice that perfectly reflects the tragedy and damnation of the subject matter reflected in the timeless American music that he’s made his stock and trade through his albums on Tompkins Square, and through countless tours from coast to coast.

On side A Frank delivers his unique take on the traditional murder ballad “Duncan & Brady,” which details a barroom shooting of police officer James Brady in St. Louis back in 1890. The song has been interpreted a number of times over the years from a wide range of luminaries, including Leadbelly, Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk and Judy Henske. The B side finds Frank switching up from the guitar to the fiddle, accompanied by Zac Sokolow also on fiddle, performing “Devil’s Dream Medley.” “Devil’s Dream Medley” blends the duo fiddles with vocal elements from the song June Apple, popularized by Wade Ward and Doc Watson.