Album Notes

Traveler - What kind of music is it?

"How about 'Progressive Folk'? I don't think our roots are really in folk music, they're more in blues, jazz and rock & roll, although we're certainly influenced by bluegrass and Celtic music as well. But somehow it comes out sounding sort of like folk music. Go figure." - Charlie Burrus, guitar & vocals

It's not just sweet harmonies and instrumental chops. It's more than just socially aware, spiritually open lyrics. Traveler's music is about making that magical connection between the stage and the audience and sharing all of life's humor, sorrow, anger and joy. Maybe it's just something in the water here in Texas, but just below the surface, at the crossroads where the styles of music which influence what we play intersect, there is always a certain timeless groove. It's hard to describe, but you know it when you hear it. It moves you on many levels. It's about looking at the world with a smile, knowing that the grace to go on is there if you just keep singing. - Andy Black, basses, vocals & occasional banjo


Tracks on Cross the River:

Skeleton Bones (Carol Burrus)
A song written by Carol that was inspired by the story of the Skeleton Woman.

Of the Sea (Carol Burrus)
A song about pausing in the midst of a too-full life, and taking time to remember.

Bye Bye Blackbird (Ray Henderson/Mort Dixon)
Everybody knows the chrous to this song, but the verses seem to have been forgotten. We love the verses, and think that it makes it a much more interesting song! Howard Hendrix teaches us a thing or two about real jazz here.

Dimming of the Day (Richard Thompson, Beeswing Music)
Such a sweet love song by Richard Thompson. Obviously we have heard Bonnie Raitt's version of this, and tip our hats in her direction.

Grandma's Hands (Bill Withers, Interior Music)
This is a Bill Withers song, but it's been played by quite a few others as well. It's a great jamming song.

Over the Edge of the Mountain (Carol Burrus)
A few years ago while rocking and singing her daughter Claire to sleep, Carol started thinking of the melody and first few lines of this song.

I'll Cross the River (Carol Burrus)
Carol wrote this one about the kinds of grief that takes a while to get over. We all go through it in our lifetimes, some of us more than once.

Alien/Hold on to Your Dreams (Gil Scott-Heron, Brouhaha Music)
This song was written and first recorded by Gil Scott-Heron about 25 years ago. Unfortunately, it has not lost any relevance at all.

Every Night When the Sun Goes Down (Traditional)
We learned this song straight out of a songbook, which is really rare for us. The arrangement comes from the Weaver's Fred Hellerman.

Retirement Plans (Charlie Burrus)
Charlie wrote this one after finding himself all grown up and no longer the rebel he always thought he would be.

Walk Away (Tom Waits/Kathleen Brennan, Jalma Music)
A Tom Waits song written for "Dead Man Walking", a movie we highly recommend.

Holy Now (Peter Mayer/Blue Boat Music)
A gem of a song by our friend Peter Mayer, an excellent songwriter and performer. Find out more about Peter on this website and at http://www.petermayer.net.

Special Thanks to Howard Hendrix, who plays clarinet on tracks 3 & 10. Thanks also to Paul Cooper for the use of his mandolin.

Recorded at Southwest Recording in Houston, Texas in November 2003. Engineered and mastered by Jeff Smith. Produced by Traveler.

Cover art by Barnet Levinson Design. Photos by Dick Doughty and Charlie Burrus.

Traveler are:

Herman Kluge - guitar, mandolins
Luigi Bai - percussion
Charlie Burrus - guitar, vocals
Carol Burrus - vocals, flute
Andy Black - bass, vocals