Chuck Cheesman
Campfire
© 2006 Chuck Cheesman (783707393704)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
SPECIAL: 30% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!
Original, contemporary folk songs - personal reflections on the American West in all its beauty and brutality.
tracks
try this
albums you will love
genres you will love
galleries you will love
By Location
Recommended if you like ...
notes
CAMPFIRE is an acoustic recording that is musically rooted in the American folk tradition. The songs and subject matter are contemporary.
My music is influenced by many years of camping and hiking, and by my love for Wilderness. In addition, I am interested in creating songs that are authentic - meaning they are true to their subject matter. My sympathetic portrait of an illegal immigrant in "Uphill (American Dream)" is based upon the folks I met as a Chicago Public Schools teacher in an immigrant neighborhood. "Wolves of Lamar Valley" is drawn from a trip to the famous Yellowstone valley where wolves were reintroduced in 1995. The title track "Campfire" is a very personal love song. There are sad songs and happy songs here because...well, that's life. The American West is the thread that runs through this collection.
I am an independent (hence the first person blurb) songwriter/musician who makes his home in Flagstaff, Arizona. I am originally from Illinois where I worked at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music as a guitar teacher and as an instructor in their Wiggleworms program for children. After a year spent in Chinle on the Navajo Reservation, my wife and I brought our family to Flagstaff where we hope to make our life-long home. I've continued performing for audiences of all ages and often travel back to the Midwest to play music.
Please take time to visit my websiites where you will find lyrics, a calendar, and even a couple free music downloads among other things.
www.chuckcheesman.net
www.afamilysongbook.com
I would like to thank the following musicians for their work on this recording:
The Flagstaff bunch:
Brian DeMarco - harmonica
Kneebone - bass & guitar
Byron Ripley - dobro
Justin Henningsen - mandolin
Ryan Burdick - percussion
Deb Hilton - vocals
The Chicago gang:
Steve Joyner - mandola & production
Steve Jacula - bass & production
Darren Garvey - percussion
Karen Banks-Lubicz - vocals
The really cool CD cover painting was done by Flagstaff artist Emma Gardner. www.emmagardner.com
Thanks! Enjoy the music.
-Chuck Cheesman
Flagstaff, Arizona
My other "grown-up" CD, COMING HOME, is part of the CDBABY $5 promotion where you can buy 3 CDs for 15 bucks. Pick up a few and help me clean out the closet!
reviews
Please log in to review this album.
Wonderful gift for my husband and son.
author: Jane BroeckerMy son, Lewis, was named to honor my 92 year old Grandmother P.A. Lewis who's husband was descended from the Lewis family of M. Lewis. I loved the song about him on the CD and ordered it for my husband and son. My husband's heart is in the West, as he is a wild-land fire-fighter. All the songs are wonderful!
this CD touches my emotions
author: Bernie BChuck's new CD touches my emotions in many ways. I love the image of the wolf and the contrast of the new west. The songwriting and music are beautiful! Thanks.
I'd like to bottle this guy
author: Jim PipkinI picked up this CD at one of Chuck's appearances in Flagstaff, and just had to have him come down and play these songs for some Phoenix folks as well. They loved the music, and so do I - fine writing, fine picking, great voice, original viewpoint. I'll be honest with you; if you want more than this in the music you listen to, you are really looking for less. A great CD, an oustanding work of art!
Relaxing In The West
author: Judy ZurawskiMy husband and I were very pleased with Chuck's new CD. It is very thought provoking. You can be taken away to the West, and enjoy his beautiful,mellow voice and songs. Where can you go to relax so completely?
Authentic, heartfelt, entirely original musical stories that flow!
author: Sue FinkThis is an excellent 'ALBUM', in the best sense of the word: the songs are cohesive and have been carefully ordered, and the music builds and flows. Just looking at the cover art says it all: yes, it's a campfire but with something glowing and unique about it. Chuck talks about being authentic, and that's exactly what "Campfire" is. He writes about matters that mean something to him, proving that if one feels passionately about something and has the ability to express that passion, others will feel it, too. The outstanding guitar work is evident throughout, crisp and clear. Chuck's voice is expressive, sweet yet firm. All other musical additions are subtle enhancements. I love the harmonies on "Wolves of Lamar Valley" especially. And the song "The Wolf," as told from the wolf's perspective, is a songwriting stand-out: forthright, strong, moving. The love songs are real. "Two Tickets/Cannonball Jam" is both an ode to tradition and a promise to the future. How cool is that?! If you are a fan of excellent musicianship, interesting and well-told stories, and the passion that comes from following one's heart, this CD is for you!