FRANCIS DOUGHTY: Among Trees

Francis Doughty

Among Trees

© 1999 Francis Doughty (634479103957)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Original American Self-Styled 6- and 12-String Guitar Instrumentals, Kottke-schooled, Thrilling Fingerstyle Mixed with Evocative Guitar Ballads

tracks

1 By Lantern Light
2 Flau Song
3 Dream Song for a Walk on a Sunset
4 Gandalf's Guitar Garden
5 Christmas Birds
6 Lilac Sunday
7 Jasper's in the Window
8 The Cowyard
9 All the Beautiful boys and girls
10 The Hermit Thrush
11 Button-girl
12 The elm Tree
13 Anticipating You

notes

"One of the few local guitarists following in the demanding John Fahey/Leo Kottke mode...guitarist Francis Doughty is one of the best-kept secrets in town." (BOSTON HERALD)

Francis Doughty is an exciting folk instrumental guitarist who has been playing music since his early teens. Inspired by the likes of Leo Kottke, John Fahey, and a wide range of classical music, Doughty has used those influences to develop his own unique voice on the guitar, which ranges from the thrilling to the haunting.

"It takes a large talent to keep people listening when the only voice to be heard is that of a single instrument, even if it has 6 or 12 strings...Doughty uses his strings to get where he's going...in songs that demonstate great range and tone...[they] come slowly with feeling, or they come in torrents." (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

Doughty's guitar-playing is riveting and instantly engages the audience. Indeed there are a lot of good 6- and 12-string players out there, but it is his masterful song-writing which makes Doughty a true standout.

Attending a Francis Doughty concert never fails to leave an audience enthralled. His shows present a mix of his own songs, several classic covers by Kottke, as well as arrangements of traditional or jazz pieces — and always a surprise or two. The counterpoint to his music is his endearing stage manner and colorful humor. He makes a genuine connection.

Showcase Performer at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival 2001 and 2004

"Francis Doughty paints pictures of New England with his guitar." (Jason Bovian, Here and Now, WBUR)

Francis has released two instrumental guitar CDs, Among Trees and Under the Sky, both receiving high praise from reviewers and fans - and he has been featured at venues throughout the Northeast. Doughty has shared the stage with or opened for Gordon Bok, Lui Collins, Tony Vacca, Don White, Adrienne Jones (of Mad Agnes), Kiernan Kane, Elliot Bronson, James Durst, Thea Hopkins and others. He has made numerous radio and several television appearances, including a feature on NPR's magazine show "Here and Now," taped at WBUR in Boston.

When Francis Doughty speaks through his guitar he transports the listener to another place. He comes at you with a wall of sound from his 12-string in songs such as: the highly-charged crowd-pleaser, We're Getting Closer, his equally energetic Pearl-Streaked Morning or Leo Kottke's epochal masterpiece, Morning is the Long Way Home. Tempering the fast paced favorites are the beautiful, evocative songs such as the Irish traditional song, Sheebeg Sheemore and the tender ballad Steve's Pain. The overall result is not just impressive — a Francis Doughty concert takes you on a memorable ride!


"[His] arrangements can blow blades of grass or fall like icy snow. More than words. You can easily lose yourself in Doughty's music..." (Worcester Magazine - Charlene Arsenault)

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • author: Dr.Ernst Weeber

    Me and my wife enjoy it to listen to your beautiful music every time we can. Thank you for rising our life quality. Your Dr. Ernst Weeber/Germany

  • One of the more remarkable acoustic debuts I've heard.
    author: Michael Doyle/epinions.com

    See the review link for more.

  • This is a peaceful, beautiful, interesting CD from start to finish. Thank you t
    author: Eli Lach

    The above says it all.

  • Speaks of Wood, Water, Mountain, and the Love which binds all
    author: Lucy Norman Snow, Singer-poet, Pianist

    From the second I saw the haunting cover image of Among Trees, I knew it would hold a special place in both my heart and in my music collection. The record's warmth and playful, intelligent melodies cheered me through the dreary winter, prompting me on many an occassion to find a spot of sunlit floor and spend the afternoon drifting into daydream. I recently had the good fortune of hearing demos for Fran's next record, and believe me, it's to be another blessing to the lives of many.

  • author: J Kirlin (Taylor Guitars)

    Francis Doughty has been playing acoustic guitar since he was 17, but only three years ago decided to "stop hiding his light under a bushel basket" and perform live. His supple fingerstyle folk is inspired by John Fahey, Ed Gerhard and Leo Kottke, but perhaps even more by the bucolic "homesteading" lifestyle that he says "keeps him in the vegetable gardens or the woodsheds for some portion of every day." Doughty's debut album of instrumentals, Among Trees, is aptly titled; his honeydew melodies unfold in an unhurried halcyon pace that caresses the senses and suggests a Walden-esque setting ungoverned by clocks. Doughty studied classical composition at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, and credits his grounding in the classical tradition for his sense of musical structure. Of his 510 and 815-CE, which yield warm, rich, clear organic tones, Doughty says: "These guitars SING! and have truly been the inspiration for me to put out my debut CD and perform in public. "I'm hopelessly addicted to this instrument," he confesses of his passion for guitar. "I fish around a lot on it, and every now and then I get rewarded by something surprising and pleasing, in the way that it describes something that's real to me. There's a necessity to playing the guitar that would be impossible to overcome. It's part of me; part of my language." "Francis Doughty paints pictures of New England with his guitar." — WBUR (Boston) "[Among Trees] is a place to go -- it's a haven against the world, really, when it's too much . . ." — Connie Bowblis, WKNH (Keene, NH)

  • author: Olga Nashchekina(UKRAINE)

    I have already played the CD on my computer at home. The music is charming. And don't take it as a mere flattery! I do like it. It is light, relaxing and refined (I realize that my trying to verbalize emotions the music arouses is rather imperfect. But I guess what really matters is how I perceive it, not how I can describe my perceptions) Olga (Ukraine)

  • author: Diane Lilly

    How wonderful! Your music, titles, meanings, design, all.... Sensitivity, peaceful are but two feelings that come.... Thank you for sharing pieces of your life with us, and may we be fortunate enough to have you continue, for I believe a lot of us can relate.... ...Folks have heard about how moved I am; would like them to experience you, too! Hoping to be part of your audience in the future. - Diane M. Lilly

  • author: Karen Traub

    I wanted to tell you how incredible the CD is. .. your music is very inspirational to my work. ...I think your music sends both me and the person I'm working on into some other dimension where healing takes place. I also was inspired to play your music for my belly, to give the little one a great start in life. - Karen Traub (Shiatsu masseuse therapist)

  • author: Hilary Bamford (WOMR)

    I really enjoyed your music and am glad you were able to come in and play...and if you find yourself coming to Cape Cod again, you are more than welcome to visit. -- Hilary Bamford, host of Friday Folk on WOMR, (Provincetown, MA)

  • author: roylayer

    Here is a follow-up note to the one that I posted earlier. I sent this to some progressive rock e-mail lists and newsgroups that I'm on: This may seem a bit off-topic on a progressive rock or Yes online forum, but I believe that many of you would enjoy a CD that I recently bought by Francis Doughty called _Among Trees_. The CD contains all-original songs performed on the acoustic guitar. The songs are varied and well-written, and the music is captivating. To me, it exemplifies Brian Eno's original definition of "ambient music" - music which can be listened to as background music but rewards attentive listening equally (even moreso, actually). Here is a quote from one of his websites: [quote from the CD Baby site omitted here] Really not much more that I can add to that, although I would also add Gordon Giltrap's acoustic work as a reference point. (And Steve Howe is a fan of Gordon's music. Ha! There's the Yes connection!) Francis is an independent artist who sells his music at his live shows and via the web. Check out these websites: http://www.fdoughty.com (his main homepage) http://cdbaby.com/doughty http://www.folkweb.com/francisdoughty/ http://www.mp3.com/fdoughty All of these sites feature soundbites (and some complete songs such as on the mp3.com site) that you can download or listen to online. I ordered my copy through CD Baby. It is a pretty cool website that features independent artists performing many different styles of music. I first found out about it by buying the Marillion tribute CD there. They sent me a free CD of mp3 files, and I've bought a number of CDs based on songs from it, "Among Tree" being one of them. Highly recommended to those of you looking for a change of pace from the bombast of prog! Roy DeRousse

  • author: roylayer

    I like it! There are a lot of good acoustic guitar players out there - and Francis is much better than good - but not all of them can compose as well as he does. Of course, I've only heard the samples here and on the CD Baby CD-ROM, but it's enough to convince me to buy the CD. I hope the rest of the CD is as good! An aside: I was going to buy the CD directly from Francis' website, even though it cost $1 more from him. Why? I like to see the artist receive a bigger slice of the pie when possible. But then I thought a bit more. It's different in this case. Would I ever have heard this music without CD Baby? Unlikely, living in St. Louis! CD Baby is different from the typical label or distributor. I want to support it as well! Roy DeRousse

  • author: Lin's Mom

    Darn it Lin I keep forgetting to tell you how much I enjoy the Francis Doughty CD.I listen to it every day.Thank you so much! Love, Mom Dear Fran, Now you have it. Proof that the world loves your music. You are a ripple of joy spreading in Franklyn County and throughout the world. Believe it. My momma has EXCELLENT taste ! Love, Lin

  • author: Billy Hassel

    "It's awesome! I like the title a lot and the packaging -- very understated and restrained -- beautiful photography. I only wish there were more liner notes to read -- the stories behind the songs are wonderful". .......(Billy Hassell, professional artist)

  • author: Jack Jemsek

    Listening to your CD made me feel very comfortable with those feelings of loneliness and anxiety that come around each day. My favorite was Anticipating You as I can imagine being (home) -- a cold day short in light, waiting for your soul mate to arrive home before the twilight. It's much more than background music, it makes you think." .........(Jack Jemsek, geologist)

  • author: Bonnie Hanson

    "Through your words and music, I feel blessed to be awakened again to the poetry which surrounds me... What you have created has touched someone who needed an unplanned moment of serenity" (Bonnie Hanson, special ed. teacher)

  • author: Aaron

    "It's one of the best CD's I ever heard. And it's really cool. Love, Aaron" ......(Aaron William Kahn-Bork, age 6)

  • author: Nancy Cole

    "I need this CD in my life!... Each song uplifts, gives me a feeling in my heart -- the emotions are honest -- and is very calming." (Nancy Cole, carpenter)

  • author: WRSI

    "...just sounded great -- beautiful stuff...excellent. Check out his new CD!" Johnny Memphis (host of WRSI, Greenfield, MA)

  • author: Jan Sahlstrom

    "This is absolutely fabulous! I love it! I have been playing your CD here in the office all week. Then I take mine home and play it some more. It's really wonderful!" .......(Janet Sahlstrom, painter, pastelist and fine artist, MIT Admin. Officer)

  • author: Connie Bowblis

    "Your album is a place to go -- it's a haven against the world, really, when it's too much with us. It's a good place to go, cause you can just be there, get right into the music." - Connie Bowblis (host of the "Front Porch" WKNH, Keene, NH)

  • author: Marcos Pimenta

    "This CD is excellent...! ...the music transmits to me a sensation of peace... I'm hearing the CD for several times, each time finding a new detail, enjoying a new theme. - Dr. Marcos Pimenta (Brazillian scientist, guitarist)

  • author: Felicia Brady

    reminder of the good stuff of life! I find it very soothing and calming. And I like the way it gives my ears a lot to listen to. ...within each piece there is a wide color and tonal range. There's a lot there. ...varied musical ideas so that each tune lives in a world of its own. Thank you for putting your music into the world so we can enjoy it too!" --Felicia Brady (professional classical pianist)

  • author: Connie Bowblis

    Today I had a great guest at 3 pm... Francis Doughty, a truly wonderful guitarist and a very well kept secret in these parts, but not for long. ... Inspired by the likes of Leo Kottke, John Fahey and Ed Gerhard, anything that can be said of their playing could probably be said of Francis Doughty. It becomes clear right away that he's very comfortable with his guitars. He totally blew me away. Not only did he play many of his own tunes but he played some of Kottke's too and if you weren't there to see him you might not have known it wasn't Kottke himself. - Connie Bowblis (host of the "Front Porch" WKNH, Keene, NH)

  • author: doughty

    "A sheer delight.." - Entertainment Times (Keene, NH) [This message has been edited by doughty (edited May 17, 1999).]

email

Please log in to email this artist.