The CD
The second CD from husband-wife duo Eric and Polly Rapp, More Than Enough is inspirational, humorous, poignant, tender, a trifle polemical, and rooted in faith and family. Tradition blends with more modern sounds in an acoustic mix of guitar, mountain dulcimer, and voices that also includes guest musicians: Ron Ellman on violin, Jeff Royer on upright bass, Andy Mather on harmonica, and Ted Berlinghof, Roger Blair, Maggie Ferguson, Gary Senick, Denise Marie Stein, Art Wojtowicz, and Dan Zowada on vocals. The songs can make you laugh, bring tears to your eyes, and remind you that no matter how bad things look, there is Someone whose gift of grace is more than enough to compensate. In May of 2007 Eric and Polly were interviewed on the Lutheran radio show "Issues, Etc.," and since then the show has featured several of these tunes--most notably "Hey, Preacher Man"--as bumper music between segments. The song "Surprised by Joy" also appears on a benefit CD compiled for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, on which also appear Tom Chapin, Anne Hills, John McCutcheon, Peter, Paul and Mary, Josh White, Jr., and numerous others.
The Rapps
Eric and Polly Rapp have been making music together since 1997, when they met in a church choir. Eric didn't even attend the church at the time, but a fellow apartment-dweller suggested he join the choir, he chose the seat next to where Polly always sat, and the rest, as they say, is history.
To the partnership Eric brought fine flatpicking, an affinity for old-time country and bluegrass, and a knack for songwriting--influenced by artists as diverse as the Beatles, Norman Blake, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Nirvana, Tom Russell, Paul Simon, Smashing Pumpkins, Michael Smith, and Gillian Welch. Polly's contributions included years of choral experience as well as solo voice training, an interest in a variety of folk instruments, and a passion for performing. Her influences are mostly in the folk and rock veins.
A honeymoon in the Smoky Mountains clinched their now-signature sound, when they got their hands on their first mountain dulcimer. Since then they have established a varied repertoire featuring old-time country, country gospel, and folk tunes as well as a growing collection of original songs--wryly humorous or thoughtful takes on life, love, work, and faith.
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