Branching Roots

Description

Branching Roots is a studio album by the American singer and songwriter Paul Clark, independently released on Clark’s own label Minstrel’s Voyage Music in December 2016. The album was recorded and mixed by Todd Robbins at Ocean Way Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; with Paul Clark producing. All songs written by Paul Clark.

Features musicians such as Phil Keaggy, Stuart Duncan, Matt Pierson, and Byron House, among others.

Recording veteran, Paul Clark, digs deeper into the soil with his 20th solo release, ‘Branching Roots’. Burrowing into 11 new compositions with Clark, and his vast array of vintage string and percussion instruments, are the exquisite talents of multi-Award winning fiddler and mandolinist, Stuart Duncan; guitar legend and longtime recording friend, Phil Keaggy; veteran upright bass players, Byron House and Matt Pierson; old school pedal steel player, Tom Killen; rising Resophonic picker, Ian O’Bryant and gritty background vocalist, Charity Mozafari. Mixed by Todd Robbins, mastered by Reuben Cohen of Lurssen Mastering, and the vinyl lacquers mastered by the iconic Ron McMaster at Capitol Records, ‘Branching Roots’ will likely cause a thirst for a water that can quench the driest of souls.

With four decades plus of songwriting, recording and producing under his belt, Clark continues to draw upon his unique ability to find fresh water from a genre he’s yet to visit. While most artists refine the signature that got them there, Clark seems intent on punctuating his previous work with a period, then boldly turns the page and effortlessly starts writing a new chapter to his journey. His undisputed calling to craftily deliver the story between the lines, be it Biblical narrative, or biographically transparent, is once again on full display. Stripped down musically from his last project, ‘Down At The Whistle Stop‘, fresh rain from his fellow musicians allows Clark’s underrated instrumental skills to stretch out to the drip line and beyond. Unknown to the industry that he and a few other pioneers dug out of the dirt, and equally absent from secular music conversation, Clark seems unconcerned with the need of recognition from anyone other than his audience of One.

Equally impressive to his music production abilities is Clark’s eye for design and photography. It’s obvious that Clark’s roots started in vinyl. Steeped in the artful Vitruvius triad of function, strength and beauty, his work has a cadence birthed from an era where conceptualism was the norm. Holding the record jacket in your hands is like caressing a work of art. If you were there, opening the gatefold and reading the lyrics, while listening to Paul’s music, will awaken your soul to a time when people really listened. If you’re new to Paul’s art, be prepared for a season of deep root growth. ‘Branching Roots’ will never leave you parched.

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/branching-roots/1493800052)

CD tracklist:

01. Up On The Galilee – 4:59
02. Fallen King – 3:56
03. Four Lepers – 5:13
04. Exclamation Mark – 4:12
05. Straight River – 3:41
06. The Shorter The Trailer, The Longer The Road – 4:56
07. Dirt On My Hands – 2:47
08. Meet Your Headstone – 3:33
09. What Were You Thinking? – 2:50
10. My Love Remains – 4:21
11. Branching Roots – 3:17

Note: Simultaneously released on both CD and 180g 12-inch vinyl LP by Minstrel’s Voyage Music.

Gatefold Cover Artwork