Bob Frank
Bob Frank | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert Landis Frank |
| Born | February 26, 1944 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | July 18, 2019 (aged 75) |
| Genres | folk |
| Occupation(s) | musician, songwriter, composer, arranger |
| Instrument | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1969–1973, 2001–2019 |
| Labels | Vanguard Records, Bowstring Records, Evangeline, Memphis International, Decor |
| Website | [1] |
Robert Landis Frank (February 26, 1944 – July 18, 2019)[1] was an American musician, singer-songwriter and composer. His debut self-titled record was issued on Vanguard Records in 1972 to critical acclaim and is a collectors item[2] that was reissued on Light in the Attic in 2014. He co-wrote, recorded and toured with Mississippi/Memphis singer-songwriter John Murry, shared a stage with Gus Cannon, Jimmy Driftwood, Lightning Hopkins, Tim Buckley and Townes Van Zandt, and was a paid songwriter for Tree Publishing.[2] He lived in El Sobrante, California.
Frank's 20th century version of the late Middle English classic, "A Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode" (Child Ballad #117), released on Bowstring Records in 2001, received rave reviews from English professors, music critics, historians, actors, college professors, school teachers and Oxford dons. [citation needed]
Critical reception
[edit]Though not widely known, Frank's songs have earned wide critical acclaim. Jim Dickinson, a producer for Big Star and a Memphis music legend, called Frank "the greatest songwriter you never heard."[3] In Rolling Stone, Senior Editor David Fricke called Frank's debut "beautifully stark" and compared him to Warren Zevon.[4] Frank's collaboration with singer-songwriter John Murry on 2006 LP World Without End was praised in the Village Voice, Uncut, Rolling Stone, The Irish Times and The Independent UK.[5] His songs have been recorded by Jim Dickinson, Chris LeDoux, Gary McMahan, and others.[6]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Bob Frank (Vanguard Records, 1972)
- A Little Gest of Robin Hood (Bowstring Records, 2001)
- Keep On Burning (Bowstring Records, 2002)
- Pledge of Allegiance (Bowstring Records, 2004)
- Ride the Restless Wind (Bowstring Records, 2005)
- World Without End (Bowstring Records, 2006; Evangeline – US, Decor – UK, 2007)
- The Gunplay EP (Evangeline – US, Decor – UK, 2007)
- Red Neck, Blue Collar (Memphis International, 2008)
- Brinkley, Arkansas, and Other Assorted Love Songs (Evangeline, 2009)
- The Scenic Route (Bowstring Records, 2010)
- Twilight in Tolleson (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2016)
- By the Light of the Lamp (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2017)
- Squeeze It Easy (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2017)
- Dancing in Dallas (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2018)
References
[edit]- ^ "Cult Singer-Songwriter Bob Frank Dead at 75". Stereogum. July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- ^ a b Ruhlmann, William and McGregor, Don Bob Frank Biography, All Music Guide.
- ^ Official Bio Decor Records Bio Archived July 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, 2008.
- ^ Official web site "Fricke's Picks, Rolling Stone Archived July 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, 2008.
- ^ Official Web Site "Fricke's Picks, Rolling Stone Archived July 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Fink, Matt Free Beer Tomorrow Review, All Music Guide.
External links
[edit]- Bob Frank's Official Site
- Bob Frank at Allmusic
- Bob Frank discography at Discogs
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
- 1944 births
- 2019 deaths
- American male singer-songwriters
- Country blues singers
- American alternative country singers
- American folk singers
- Songster musicians
- Singers from Memphis, Tennessee
- American country singer-songwriters
- People from El Sobrante, Contra Costa County, California
- Country musicians from Tennessee
- Singer-songwriters from Tennessee
- Singer-songwriters from California