ERIK BALKEY: Erik Balkey

Erik Balkey

Erik Balkey

© 1999 Hudson Harding

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Contemporary folk, singer-songwrtiter featuring an agile voice and thoughtful lyrics accompanied by sparse and deliberate acoustic guitarwork.

tracks

1 North Country Road
2 Wasteland
3 Madison
4 Hometown
5 Dark Eyes
6 Driving Northbound
7 House of Cards
8 Poet Game
9 North Dakota
10 North Country Road (reprise)
11 Silent Night

notes

"Balkey's confident delivery and sparse arrangements frame the songs with uncommon poise." - Dirty Linen

The music of Erik Balkey combines an agile voice with sparse, deliberate guitar accompaniment. Balkey's storytelling captivates with an engaging mix of honesty, intimacy and humnor.

reviews

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  • A Truly Enjoyable Experience
    author: Robert Matter Singer/songwriter

    I love to listen to this CD when I'm on a road trip so I can get the full impact of the total sum of it's components. As a singer/songwriter myself, I love to listen to songs that both challenge me and inspire me. Erik does both. The creative phrases that he uses in his lyrics touch off a spark of creativity within me. Erik Balkey is truly an enjoyable experience.

  • "...just the essentials. Balkey captivates...Worthy of attention."
    author: Songwriter's Monthly

    Sometimes it's hard to believe what one man can do with just the essentials. Balkey captivates...renders his audio portraits and landscapes with charm. Worthy of attention.

  • A Gift.... for the true listener
    author: Ian Charles- (singer/songwriter)

    Erik Balkey carries a gifted talent of being able to draw listeners in with the first note, or the first phrase of a song. In performance, or on this CD. Simply and poignantly.

  • Erik’s music burns brightly...voice as steady as a flame.
    author: Sharyn Murray

    Watching Erik Balkey perform is close to a religious experience. Like a candle, Erik’s music burns brightly with messages of peace and goodwill. His voice is as steady as a flame.

  • Love it! Great to relax to in the car ride home from work.
    author: Alison Balkey

    Each song has a unique message. The lyrics are genuine and you can tell they come from the heart. Erik's music is "relatable"-- I can apply his words to my life.

  • One of my best CD purchases!
    author: Janey Todd (singer-songwriter)

    One of my best CD purchases! So nice and mellow and more - only my first listen so far.

  • "..tales from the backroads of the American landscape."
    author: Richard Cuccaro ( Acoustic Live In Nyc)

    "Balkey carries the true passion of the poet-wanderer-minstrel in his craft bringing us tales from the backroads of the American landscape."

  • "Balkey shines!"
    author: Uncle Mike ( Two River Times)

    "...he definitely has something going on, it's his simple, raw nerve, emotional honesty...Erik Balkey shines!"

  • "brave way beyond the newcomer."
    author: Alice Croll ( Drake Assoc.)

    "...a romantic, geographic and philosophical journey with many detours...(Balkey) is brave way beyond the necomer."

  • timeless songwriting,words that will be relevent for an eternity.
    author: Bobby Strange

    this is an album of classics. 50 years from now we may not have washing machines, but songs like house of cards will still be as relevent as they are today! some emotions will never change.

  • "...that perfect match between words and music...remarkable."
    author: Charlene Arsenault/worcester Magazine

    Judging from his self-titled debut, Balkey’s voice can sound like a less-trembly, deeper Cat Stevens, among others. With its fluttery brushes and country bassline, Balkey aptly calls “Hometown” a road-trip chant. On “Wasteland”, Balkey sounds like Andy Gibb singing a Harry Chapin tune. “Madison”, a sweet, swinging lullaby with the pretty accent of a cello cradling the tune in its arms. Balkey keeps searching for that perfect match between words and music...his grasp of the process is remarkable.

  • "Madison": This one won't leave your head.
    author: Brian Goslow/worcester Phoenix

    "...'MacArthur Park'-esque 'Madison,' which uses a haunting backdrop provided by pianist Stephen Taylor Huey and cellist Amy Koerbel...this one won't leave your head."

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