Album Notes

Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Harvey Reid has honed his craft over the last 40 years in countless clubs, festivals, streetcorners, cafes, schools, coffeehouses and concert halls across the nation. Acoustic Guitar Magazine called him “one of the true treasures of American acoustic music” and Guitar Player Magazine "...a giant of the steel strings." He has absorbed a vast repertoire of American music and woven it into his own colorful, personal and distinctive style. His 25 recordings on Woodpecker Records showcase his mastery of many instruments and styles of acoustic music, from hip-folk to country, slashing slide guitar blues to bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, ragtime and even classical.

Reid's skills and versatility on the guitar alone mark him as an important new voice in acoustic music. He won the 1981 National Fingerpicking Guitar Competition and the 1982 International Autoharp Contest. Yet he's also a solid flatpicker who has won the Beanblossom bluegrass guitar contest, a versatile and engaging singer, a powerful lyricist, prolific composer, arranger and songwriter, a solid mandolin and bouzouki player, and a seasoned performer and entertainer. He recorded the first album ever of 6 & 12-string banjo music. His 1991 album Steel Drivin' Man, was chosen by Acoustic Guitar Magazine in 1996 as one of 10 Essential Folk CD's of all time, along with Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez and other hallowed names. His music was included in the blockbuster BBC TV show Musical Tour of Scotland, and Reid was featured in the Rhino Records Acoustic Music of the 90's collection, along with a “who's who” line-up of other artists including Richard Thompson, Jerry Garcia & Leo Kottke.

Although Reid has been somewhat reclusive, his reputation as a musician's musician is spreading fast. He has become a featured act at many of America's premier concert clubs and festivals, including the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the Walnut Valley Festival. Radio DJ's and critics nationwide are discovering his remarkable recordings, (which have sold over 100,000 copies!) and audiences coast-to-coast are flocking to catch his exciting performances.

You'll find elements of the traditional troubadour, the modern poet-songwriter, the American back-porch picker, the classical virtuoso, and a bit of Will Rogers style dry humor and satire. You'll hear folk, country, classical, blues, ragtime, rockabilly, Celtic, bluegrass, and popular music influences. Reid has a vast repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs, and weaves them seamlessly together with his own compositions and wry humor.