Album Notes

Eddie Holstein has been a stalwart of the Chicago folk music scene for over 40 years. Eddie continues to perform today as well as teach at the Old Town School of Folk Music. He has written a number of songs, with Jazzman the best known, having been recorded or performed by Bette Midler, Bonnie Koloc, Tom Rush, Steve Goodman and Martin Simpson. His unique blend of folk songs, blues and humor always entertain.

In the early days of the folk boom, Eddie and his late brother Fred performed at legendary Chicago folk clubs like The Earl Of Old Town and Somebody Else’s Troubles where many performers like Bonnie Koloc, Steve Goodman and John Prine got their starts. Later, the Holstein brothers performed at their own club, Holsteins, on Lincoln Avenue, which drew national touring acts until closing in 1988.

Produced by John Abbey, this CD shows the full range of Eddie’s style with folk songs, blues and great guitar interlaced with humorous stories and anecdotes that delight his audiences. Bonnie Koloc, Jim Craig and Mark Dvorak as well as Peggy Browning, Maura Lally and Elaine Moore add vocal support. Included are Eddie’s songs, Jazzman and Bluebird Hotel, three Dylan songs, Buckets of Rain, Don’t Think Twice, If You Gotta Go, Go Now, John Prine's A Good Time, some blues and traditional songs as well as the cowboy song Back In The Saddle as an audience sing-along that goes a bit awry.