News
-
Oct 11, 2020
Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary comments on Color Outside The Lines!
From Peter Yarrow:
A Recommendation and a Bright Moment
Given the times in which we live, bright moments are ever more precious in my world. This is one of them. My daughter, Bethany, and I added our voices to two songs on my friend Jim Stanard’s new CD and, eerily, the sound starkly harks back to Peter, Paul & Mary’s — but, this time, it’s Jim’s “dirt under the nails” anti-yet-very emotional voice that’s singing lead.
The two songs on which we sing, “Home” and “Arkansas”, feel like traditional folk songs although they’re just Jim’s way of retelling history as a way to comment on today’s painful realities — in this case, the cruel plight of migrants and heartbreakingly blind, ironic complexities of racism from the past.
I love Jim’s voice, his songs, and his completely outside-the-box way of making a point for humanity without, and deliberately avoiding, any trace of sentimentality. He’s like a progressive John Wayne of today’s songwriting and his odd, compelling chord structures lend themselves to dissonant vocal harmonies (which I love) reminiscent of the open intervals on the trio’s recording of “Springhill Mine Disaster” written by Ewan McCall and Peggy Seeger. I guess you can tell that I really like my friend’s music, and Bethany, as always, soars. Here’s where you can hear Jim’s music or purchase his new album, “Color Outside the Lines”.
Sending strength and resilience your way,
OX
Peter
