Album Notes

Award-winning folksinger Chris Vallillo uses historic narratives, contemporary folk music, and period folk songs Lincoln may well have known and sung to bring Illinois' favorite son and his times to life in this roots based recording featuring the rich acoustic textures of bottleneck slide, finger style and flatpicked guitars, mandolin and fiddle that echo the influences of Mississippi John Hurt, Norman Blake, Doc Watson and John Fahey.


"Some singers play just enough of an instrument to accompany themselves, some great guitar players 'get by' as singers, and a few singer/musicians try their best to tell a good story. Chris Vallillo is the complete package...a haunting voice, a master at his instruments, and a stage presence that holds anyone of any age spellbound. Chris pulls off the nearly impossible task of making poetry of our heritage while maintaining the integrity of the original material. And in Chris's case, that material is the very stuff of which we are made...our history. I am so proud to be from a state that could produce such a consummate performer as Chris Vallillo."

--Ken Bradbury, author, composer, syndicated columnist


"With Abraham Lincoln in Song, Chris Vallillo takes the audience on a musical journey, making history come alive with his excellent blending of music and storytelling. He grabbed hold of the museum visitors here, establishing excellent rapport with the audience with this thoughtful, humorous and moving show."

Phil Funkenbusch
Director of Theaters, Shows Division
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
and Museum Springfield, Illinois