Frank Gayer Martin's, In The Slanting Light, is a rich collection of stories well worth hearing over and over, again. Wrapped around an acoustic guitar picked with authority, electric and slide guitar played with precision, and vocals that at once soothe, while they demand your attention, these stories come alive with an energy that draws the listener directly where Mr. Martin intends them to go. From the first wave of acoustic flatpicking in Water to the haunting strains of the slide guitar in Redwings, one is treated to a series of vignettes clearly drawn and purposefully written. 
Water creates a palatable thirst through its varied imagery. You see the dried creek beds, the shallow sadness of the nearly empty reservoir, and the dead and dying livestock on the open range. These are not the images that usually come to mind when picturing the mighty Rocky Mountains, but Mr. Martin conveys them with honesty and a plainspoken voice.
 I Need You, flashes images of the mundane at you in grocery list style. Their importance is in question until the chorus reveals their significance, and the meaning of life's trinkets when those with whom we share them come up missing, is understood.      
There is a bluesy feel to the selections as well, which draws upon deep sought after rhythms that resonate deep within the soul's province. Mollie, (I'm a) Freeborn Man, Fire Burning Still, and Old Black Mud, remind you that the blues originally created through the experience of slaves, now resides in the collective consciousness of American music. 
Images of strong women are included here as well. Rebecca, recalls a time of buckboards and river pilots in 19th century Americana. The portrait here is one of a grizzled and experienced frontier woman, making a life for herself with the strength of her own hands and immutable heart. And doing this long before the events at Seneca Falls, N.Y. She Never Gave In, displays a woman of extraordinary resources, who will no doubt go down fighting and raging against that good night. 
The Man Who Played Mandolin, speaks unapologetically about the potentially tidal tendencies of love, marriage, and life.
Finally, Redwings, captures the imagination with its photo quality image of the setting sun slanting through reeds lining an irrigation ditch. Walking along that ditch we are confronted with one of life's seeming dichotomies: whether to settle down with the security of place, "like a fencepost set in tight," or to join with the "redwings taking flight." The answer appears to be yes to both, and the haunting slide guitar leaves us to carry the melody and the question, in our hearts long after the music has stopped.
Mr. Martin's adept lyrics, rich instrumentation, and soothing voice create a pleasing tapestry of story and music. I very much look forward to his next collection, because In The Slanting Light, is a prominent selection in my CD player.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
I heard Frank Gayer Martin's song from the radio program in Jan, 2003.
For a half year, at last I take this album.
My friend says "A man feels the music after a while. The music will be forever."
This is real thing.
If you want to away from mixed sounds that is made of fixed plan to sell some market, these songs will ring your heart bell.
I want to hear his Mandolin more! because he is the man who play Mandolin.
Thank you very much.
                            Read more...