Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

1409.0. "Fred Small" by BAVIKI::GOOD (Michael Good) Mon Nov 28 1988 09:32

    Fred Small's new album is finally out, and available on CD!  "I Will
    Stand Fast" contains:

         The Hills of Ayalon
         Diamonds of Anger
         I Will Stand Fast
         At the Elbe
         If I Were a Moose
         Every Man
         Scott and Jamie
         Denmark 1943
         This Love

    Many of these songs have been part of Fred's live shows at Passim and
    elsewhere for a while now, but "The Hills of Ayalon", "At the Elbe",
    and "This Love" were new to me.

    This album is on a new label (Flying Fish instead of Rounder) with a
    new producer (Michael Aharon).  The sound is a bit more rock-oriented
    on several tracks than it has been on Fred's previous albums - much
    more prominent drums, for example.  I think the arrangements generally
    work quite well, including the surprising one for "If I Were a Moose."

    As with "No Limit", Fred's previous album, the songs contain true
    stories.  The stories get more international, historical, and topical
    on this album, compared to the more personal focus of "No Limit." The
    songs are still moving, provocative, and humorous.  "Denmark 1943",
    about the evacuation of 7000 Jews from Denmark during World War II, was
    my favorite on my first listen to the album, but I think every song
    here is a winner.

    Since this is Fred's CD debut, I'll post this in both the CD and Music
    conferences.  Highly recommended!