Album Notes

In 2003, Compass released _Jake Armerding_, a collection of folk-pop songs written during a stint in Nashville. It was the #6 most added new record among Americana radio stations in April 2003, it climbed to #2 on the Galaxie Folk/Roots Channel's most-played, high-rotation album releases for July 2003, and Armerding's song 'Little Boy Blue' was a finalist at the 2003 Independent Music Awards and earned an honorable mention in the Mountain Stage Newsong Songwriting Competition. Jake Armerding was suddenly in the national spotlight.

The critics had this to say:

"Jake Armerding is the most gifted and promising songwriter to emerge from the Boston folk scene in years...he displays a timeless folk-pop melodicism and one of those voices that makes you feel you've known this guy all your life. He is also a first-rate fiddler and mandolinist." (Boston Globe)

“He is a provocative mix of hip urban songwriter and crack traditional musician...giving his songs a timeless sweep and riveting intimacy.”
(Boston Globe)

"Young Armerding straddles a curious fine line between 'new folk' singer/songwriter, contemporary bluegrass, and a 'swinging' country-pop style that appears wholly organic both in its approach and execution. That he occupies each with such self-assurance and ease is a testament to his originality as a songwriter and his skills as a fiddler, mandolin player, and guitarist...If you're willing to back an emerging new talent, look no further than Jake Armerding's impressive [national] debut." (Cleveland Country Magazine)

"His instrumental fiddle skills are remarkable ... his fiddle solo on 'Too Many People' is so inventive and assured that you can understand why Northern Lights replaced him with occasional appearances by Vassar Clements." (Washington Post)

"Along with infectious melodies, Armerding's lyrics display emotional resonance and intellectual weight." (Vintage Guitar)