Customer Reviews

Famous Anonymous Wilderness

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Rarely do we get to hear such a brilliant solo debut as Graham Lindsey's ' Famous Anonymous Wilderness '. It is hard to believe this poetic, dark and world weary work would come from the mind of a twenty five year old. He has the dubious distinction to have been a twelve year old member of the youngest punk band ever (Old Skull)
The comparisons come to mind immediately. My first impression was a young Bob Dylan. Cohen, Kerouac, Peter Jefferies, Howe Gelb circa Chore or Vic Chesnutt circa Salesman and Bernadette and Townes quickly followed and there's more. But this is a debut and that makes it stunning to say the least, and comparisons don't make it. This is original work from the head and heart. Where can he go from here? If he gets better with age, we are all in for a treat with each release. I only hope that the masses get to hear these 11 stark, well written folk ballads and waltzes. It is truly a rare occasion when I email my list and tell them about a record. This was one of those rare moments. Bravo! Find out for yourself.

This album has introduced me to music that I never knew I would enjoy. I saw Graham lindsey in person, and was so impressed with the depth of emotion in his music and his presentation, that despite the poor sound quality of the room, I knew I wanted to hear more. I went home with my purchase last night after his performance , and can't stop playing it. II IS SUPERB! It's been dificult for me to decide which song is my favorite; however there is no doubt that it is the longer, most heartwrenching " Dead man's Waltz." Following, in a very close second place, is " My Museum Blues " .... just a woman's point of view.

The first time I heard a track from this album, I thought "cheap imitation of early Bob Dylan", but after listening to the rest I changed my mind.
Graham Lindsey reminds me sometimes of Dylan, but also Leonard Cohen, Natalie Merchant, and Rambling Jack Elliott. He's got his own voice, though. He can be dark, deep, soft and light.

My choice of tracks worth hearing, to get an idea of what he can do:
3: Emma Rumble
5: I Won't Let You Down
7: Viola
8: Dead Man's Waltz
11: Song To New York

Some musicians who are well known today didn't manage to come up with debut albums that promised as much as this one.
I hope he gets the recognition that he deserves, and maintains the momentum.

...Graham Lindsey's subtle, stark ballads of love and murder...sophisticated lyricism, matched by an intense stage presence. If Dylan channeled Hank, Graham Lindsey would still sound better.

JC Shepard
KRFC-FM
Full review on RootsMusicReport.com

Lindsey strums and plays harmonica, singing stream of consciousness, rhyme heavy and intelligent lyrics in the style of early Dylan. Like Dylan, his voice can be hard for listeners to get used to. I bought the album just for the title track, which I heard on Yahoo launchcast. I think it was worth it for just that one song. This is stripped down and simply arranged folk rock: no drums, nothing else in the mix but vocal, guitar, harmonica. I think he plays up the okie/hillbilly accent, kind of like Steve Earle (and again, Dylan, trying to sound like Woody), and it can become grating at times. All in all a good piece of work, if you like roots music, this should be in your collection.

I happened to hear the song Emma Rumble in a movie soundtrack, and I thought it was one of the best songs I'd heard in years, so I hunted down a copy of the CD. The songs are consistently great, as well as unique- you can tell he was influenced by Dylan and others, but he ultimately sounds like no one but himself. My personal favorite track is If I Was a Horse, but there really isn't a single weak song. I'm going to try to see him live as soon as possible, and I just ordered his second CD. Graham Lindsey is one of the brightest spots in a generally moribund contemporary music scene.

I bought this cd on a whim after my yahoo radio station continually played one of his songs. I really didn't know what to expect from it, but after just a few short minutes I was awstruck. Graham Lindsey may be one of the most underated americana singer/songwriters out there. I hope you buy this album and I hope Graham eventually gets the credit he deserves.

Jaded music fan that I am, not many new recordings stop me in my tracks like they used to. And I guess I'm a serious snob now because the music that does impress me is hopelessly obscure - so overlooked I'm amazed I even found it. Which brings me to Graham Lindsey.

This record does owe a bit of a debt to early Bob Dylan (one song,Dead Man's Waltz is pretty much To Ramona with different lyrics) but Lindsey still manages to offer something entirely his own. Besides, Bob Dylan hasn't sounded like early Bob Dylan for 40 years - somebody ought to. And he does indeed have his own voice.

In any case, this album is one of the best I've heard in several years. Here's hoping Graham Lindsey comes out with a new record soon and finds a label that can do a little more promotion than the one that put this one out.

Shameless self promotion: exileonhicksDOTblogspotDOTcom for my music bloggy thing.