Album Notes

Jud Caswell is a very particular kind of Maine singer-songwriter. He comes from that place where the two Maines meet: where ex-hippies play cribbage with fishermen and a kind of rural poetry is infused with no-nonsense Yankee pragmatism.

He grew up on a little farm in Morrill, Maine, picking carrots and milking goats; listening to records by Cat Stevens and the Beatles and readings from Kahlil Gibran. This perspective keeps him grounded even as his songs reach deeper.

Praised as "emotionally resonant, deeply affecting and superbly crafted," his songs approach social commentary and simple pleasures with the same integrity and genuineness that he brings to the stage, captivating audiences and making friends as well as fans.

- Winner, 2006 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Contest
- First Place, 2006 Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Contest
- Selected, 2006 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist
- Winner, 2006 Wildflower Performing Songwriter Contest
- First Place, 2006 Suwannee Springfest Songwriting Contest
- First Place, 2004 Great American Song Contest
(9 Awards including 1st Place)
- Winner, 2004 Rose Garden Coffeehouse Performing Songwriter
Competition

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Dirty Linen #114
From "Linen Shorts" in Dirty Linen #114
October/November '04
"Jud Caswell Lost & Found"
CD Review by SI
Excerpts:

"Clever, well-groomed lyrics, percussive guitar playing and a powerful yet tender voice propel this fourth release from this Brunswick, Maine, singer/songwriter."

"Caswell's songs, a blend of folk, jazz, Celtic, and rock, ride the politically savvy in the driving "451"... to the touching and haunting "Leather Shoes."

"Sweet fingerstyle acoustic guitar leads "Up Through the Snow."

"Caswell's vocals reminded me of Ellis Paul in intensely personal songs that offer slices of life and lovely imagery..."

"Caswell's voice and guitars (sometimes sounding like Leo Kottke when playing 12-string) stand out."

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Boston Herald
"Maine's Jud Caswell is one of those expert, multigifted folk singers who are surprisingly unknown outside their home territory. Caswell's guitar playing is elegant, his voice both personable and tuneful, his songs neatly crafted, his sound imbued with warm energy."

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From "Hearings" in Metronome Magazine
April, 2004
Lost & Found Selected as one of "Doug's Top 5 for April 2004"
CD Review by Douglas Sloan
Excerpts:

"The Maine based singer-songwriter-guitarist Jud Caswell incorporates Celtic, folk, and pop into the tracks of his new CD 'Lost & Found' and winds up with an appealing collection of original songs."

"First and foremost, Caswell is a superb acoustic fingerpicking style guitarist. His clean right hand picking is flawless and precise and adds a vitality to the songs. Inject his warm, friendly voice and these compositions soar with heartwarming appeal."

"Caswell wrote all fourteen numbers on... this excellent release. Expect Caswell and his music to grow in stature with every listen of this CD."

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Boston Phoenix
"Jud Caswell matches lyrics that are sentimental and personal but never cloying with a style of acoustic-guitar picking that is equally full of bright detail."

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Port City Life
"Take a little bit of Paul Simon, mix it with James Taylor, Bob Dylan and Shawn Colvin, and you've got Jud Caswell... "

"Lost & Found is a terrific listen. Caswell's lyrics have soul... he evokes a full range of emotions... this is music you will listen to over and over again."

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Kennebec Journal
"Lost & Found is one of the finest singer-songwriter CDs I've heard in a long, long time. In many ways, it reminds me of David Mallett's albums in its simplistic beauty and drop-dead gorgeous guitar work."

"This magna cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College has musical smarts - as the 14 self-penned tracks on this, his fourth album, prove. I can't sing the praises of this glistening CD enough!"

"I've commented on his smooth vocal delivery, but it's even smoother and warmer than his last album, whether he's doing an up-tempo slice-of-life ("Andy's Wedding"), a lilting ballad ("This Winter Night") or a cautionary tale ("451")."

"Caswell is a bona fide wonder... delightful!"