Matthew Fox
Tall Tales & Plain Lies
© 2004 Matthew Fox (798576378721)
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Original songs in the great Texas songwriter tradition with just the right amount of blues and jazz flavor.
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"Tall Tales & Plain Lies" is Matthew Fox's second solo release and features 13 of his acclaimed original songs. Matthew was joined by legendary violinist and mandolinist Peter Ostroushko, bassist Gary Raynor from A Prairie Home Companion and harmonica wizard Clint Hoover on this CD. More info coming soon!
"Georgia-born, Texas-bred, Minnesota-anchored singer-songwriter Matthew Fox established himself as a fine guitarist and singer on his 2002 debut album. On his new Tall Tales & Plain Lies (self-released) Fox makes a good case for himself as a compelling storyteller in the great Texas tradition. Especially vivid tales from the album include the twisted amour depicted in "West Texas Love Story" and the harrowing and bloody "Another Murder Song." Sporting influences ranging from blues to bluegrass, he's perhaps at his best when invoking a bit of western swing and the wry wit of somebody like Lyle Lovett, whom he sometimes uncannily resembles vocally. If anything, Fox's picking prowess gets a little overlooked here, although there are scattered flashes of jazz and country-inspired interplay with Peter Ostroushko's fiddle and mandolin."
-Rick Mason, City Pages "A-List" (Mpls.), 12/1/04
"Fox's second album is a set of well-crafted originals, most of which are well informed by various traditional styles. A fine writer, Fox is particularly effective in story-telling songs. Fox has a voice that holds the listener's attention, his guitar playing is very good and he gets some excellent support from Peter Ostroushko, Gary Raynor and Clint Hoover."
-SingOut! Magazine, Winter 2005
reviews
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Classy and memorable
author: Duncan BrownThis album is consistently high quality throughout in singing and musicianship and songwriting.My favourites are Patriot for its emotional range and One Night for it's glimpse into the abyss.I Plan to learn it and sing it in the pub starting with the A7aug5.
Great Texas songwriting
author: Shannon CasonHe may live in the Land of Lakes. He may have childhood roots and family in Georgia. But on Tall Tales and Plain Lies, the recent CD from Matthew Fox, we learn where Matthew’s roots lie – he’s a Texan. When someone speaks of Texas singer/songwriters, we all know what that means. We think of an observational style of songwriting that manages to be poetic and down-to-earth at the same time. It captures moments in such a way that we say, “Oh yeah, I know how that feels.” We think of singing that is unaffected and honest. We think of acoustic-based music, with a judicious dose of swing. We think of Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Lyle Lovett, and Nanci Griffith, and others. Add to that august list the name Matthew Fox. Tall Tales and Plain Lies captures all the good things we expect from Texas songwriters. Great, and I mean great, songwriting abounds here. In fact, Matthew’s songwriting is really the greatest strength of this project. Great story-telling, honest sentiment, humor, tragedy, even insightful commentary are all present here. Of course, I don’t mean to short-change the singing or instrumental prowess on display. Matthew is a fine singer, ably wrapping his voice around these musical gems. His guitar skills are no less fine. I see why Del Langejans wanted to have Matthew as an endorser. The band is tight, too, with Clint Hoover on harmonicas, Gary Raynor on bass, and the legendary Peter Ostroushko on mando and violin. I don’t know if these tracks were recorded live, but they feel like it. In summary, I'll just say this: I may not know a whole lot, but I know good music when I hear it. This is good music. Fine music, actually. Get a copy. You'll be glad you did.
- author: Frances Broussard
This is the first time I have listened to Matthew Fox. The CD is great. I am a fan of Guy Clark, Joe Ely, John Hiatt, etc. and Matthew ranks right there with them. I love the stories in the songs and his honesty.
A great recording of a dynamic stage performer.
author: John BaumanThis second CD from Matthew Fox is testament to one VERY educated, skilled guitar player …. one intelligent, insightful writer. For the guitar player/listener the whole CD is a charming tour de force of Americana and American guitar, with more than passing nods to players from Freddie Green/Eddie Lang era, to the Texas songwriter guitar players that so influence Fox. The recording itself is an instrumental delight – clear, crisp, present playing of a talented, tight small ensemble recorded live, with the huge reward of animation for having done so. Matthew is an endorser of Langejans Guitars and this recording is proof-positive of a partnership that is paying off in spades. The Langejans is an amazing recording machine --- and in Matthew’s hands it’ll have you diving for the liner notes just to reconfirm that he is, indeed, playing the Langejans, when you’d almost swear at one moment he’s playing a vintage archtop, and the next track an old D28. I think perhaps the greatest compliment I could give Fox’s playing is that it stands out so tremendously in this recording, even in the presence of the other fabulous instrumentalists on the recording (like Peter Ostrushko). And the lyric? Well, if Matthew ever gives up the music (pray not!), he's got a novelist buried in that heart of his. Rarely is a studio recording a good snapshot of a dynamic stage performer like Matthew. This one is.
Absolutely wonderful Texas singer-songwriter CD from Minnesota
author: Dan PhelpsFolks, if you like the great tradition of Texas songwriting, give this one a listen. Man, you will not be disappointed. Matthew Fox is a wonder with the pen and a great player to boot. He's backed by a remarkable cast of musicians for this one. I completely recommend it.
This is one wonderful CD
author: LJ MattinglyWow. This is one wonderful CD. I liked Pilgrim but I absolutely love Tall Tales and Plain Lies. The playing has a spontaneous, live quality and it enhances some really strong lyric and song writing. These songs jump out at you. West Texas Love Song is a great story/fantasy and has some really nice images in it. The line about Heaven's silhouette is very vivid in this imagination. Sweet, Sweet Life is song of regret--memories of what could have been but will never be. Patriot is a big favorite here because I love the Texas song writers and the last line really grabbed me. You Made Me Laugh and Mean It--what a song. I found it particularly moving. Lincoln County Stomp is a pure joy and it is obvious the players were hitting on all cylinders for that one. It has a great, spontaneous vibe and the bowed double bass is a real kick. It is one of those tunes you just long to hear played on stage. This is a very enjoyable CD from start to finish and if you love the Texas songwriters, you will love this CD.