ERIK BALKEY: God's Poet Now

Erik Balkey

God's Poet Now

© 2003 Erik Balkey (786851996920)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Contemporary Folk - Singer songwriter... poetic, heartfelt tales of the everyperson.

tracks

1 God's Poet Now
2 No Choice
3 Virginia
4 Give Love, Amen
5 A Dream I Had (Intro.)
6 A Dream I Had
7 House of Cards
8 Walking Away from Caroline

notes

An engaging mix of honesty, intimacy and humor. An agile voice accompanied by sparse and deliberate guitarwork. Dirty Linen Magazine says, "Balkey's confident delivery and sparse arrangements frame the songs with uncommon poise."

Erik Balkey is a performing songwriter based out of Philadelphia, PA. He began songwriting as part of the Red Bank, NJ music scene in 1994 before a four-year stint in New York City. Among the songwriters in the city, Balkey listened and learned as an active volunteer and performer at the now-defunct Fast Folk Cafe. He also became a regular performer around town including stops at the legendary Postcrypt Coffeehouse.

Gathering from his experiences and from his work on songwriting craft, Balkey wrote and recorded his debut album, 'Negotiations & Compromise,' in 2001. The album was co-produced with accomplished songwriters Denise O'Brien and Andy Fox. Since it's release in January of 2002, the album has received critical praise. Michael Tearson of SingOut! Magazine wrote, "These songs are literate, exacting portraits in amber... Nicely played and beautifully recorded, this is a very rewarding album."

Songs penned by Balkey have earned him finalist honors at the Unisong Song Contest and Wildflower Festival (TX). Cuts from the album have been played by nearly one hundred radio deejays worldwide including Gene Shay on WXPN (Philadelphia), Marilyn Rea Beyer on WUMB (Boston), Rich Warren on WFMT (Chicago, IL), and John Platt at WFUV (New York City). The album was Top 40 for airplay by "FolkDJ" in February 2002.

Following a successful album debut show at the legendary Tin Angel in Philadelphia, Balkey has spent the majority of 2002 crisscrossing the United States with nearly three hundred appearances in support of 'Negotiations & Compromise.' The tour has stopped at such reputable venues as the Point (Bryn Mawr, PA), Bluebird Cafe (Nashville, TN), Six String Cafe (Cary, NC), Postcrypt Coffeehouse (New York City), Club Passim (Cambridge, MA) and Evening Muse (Charlotte, NC).

Balkey writes the "Songwriter's Tour Guide," a journal of a troubadour.

reviews

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  • Stunned...
    author: Jim Kloss (Whole Wheat Radio)

    Every time one of Erik's songs comes on, particularly those from this new release, I sit back ... stunned. I hear unadulterated musical talent, intriguing lyrics and honest emotion. Trying to describe it is like trying to describe a candle flame. It's beyond words. You just have to sit back and listen...

  • one of the best of 2003
    author: tommy jay

    Erik Balkey's third release (his second "major" release) starts with a tribute to Dave Carter, ends with a cover of a Dave Carter song, and has a lot of great songs in between. The Buddy Mondlock cover ("No Choice") is, dare I say, better than the original. The one drawback is that the C.D. is not very long, but it leaves you anxious for his next C.D., which should be out by the end of the year, hopefully.

  • songs are about real feelings, gracefully portrayed.
    author: Buddy Mondlock

    (Erik) wrote a beautiful song about Dave Carter called 'God's Poet Now' that really got me.  Where a lot of songwriters are just trying to be clever, Erik's songs are about real feelings, gracefully portrayed.

  • Balkey writes and delivers songs with impact.
    author: David Kleiner

    On the first cut, an encomium for Carter, Balkey is accompanied by We’re About 9. Together with the writer, they give the song’s simple chorus a crystalline beauty. But the highlight of the record is "A Dream I Had," a sound portrait of what Balkey does best live. You can hear that the audience is right there with the artist. Balkey’s hushed tenor and stage presence have a way of commanding audiences.

  • Thoughtful Songwriting, Beautiful Vocals
    author: Liz Carlisle

    Thoughtful songwriting. Understated, beautiful vocals. "God's Poet Now" exudes the pleasure and perfection of musical maturity. See Erik live if you have a chance. If not, buy the CD, and marvel at the fact that this is only a sophomore album. Watch out for the next one.

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