JOE PURDY - EAGLE ROCK FIRE MUDTOWN CRIER RECORDS MCREC-013 Arkansas-born singer/songwriter Joe Purdy is a prolific recording artist whose writing process is heavily influenced by the environment that surrounds him. His albums act as a travel guide for his experiences and this latest one is no exception. When told to evacuate his California home because of nearby forest fires, he didn’t pack up his dog Smalls and a couple favorite guitars. Instead he sat down and started writing a song: ‘Warn all the horses, warn all the riders, that the fire is coming down.’ He finished the song and the evacuation warning passed. The song is the title track on Eagle Rock Fire, his thirteenth record, released on his label Mudtown Crier Records. Purdy, age 34, runs a staunchly independent music career in spite of getting major TV placements and having sold over 1,000,000 singles. On Eagle Rock Fire, he’s taken an analog stance. Not only did he make the record on tape, mix on tape, and cut the lacquer mastered from these tapes, he had all computers removed while recording and mixing down the record. This is Purdy’s second time living in the Los Angeles area. He had moved back to the comfort of Arkansas living, but a couple years ago realised he just couldn’t stay away from a city where people really valued making art. He found himself a hilltop spot surrounded by Pine trees - a place that feels a little like Arkansas in the heart of a creative city - and spent the past few years carefully collecting vintage audio equipment and working with bassist and analog audiophile ‘Matty D’ DelVecchio painstakingly restoring each component. They even got pedal steel guitarist ‘Jolly’ Chris John Hillman, who Purdy met while touring with Billy Bragg, soldering on the porch. These three are the only musicians featured on the new album, whose songs tell of the life of a country boy living in the city. Highlights include the lovely title track with its yearning pedal steel guitar, the unsettled L.A. Livin, a world-weary Waiting For Loretta Too Long, the regretful Good Gal Away, a rueful, funny BA Girl, the delicate This American, and the generous-spirited Wildflowers. Joe Purdy’s music is deceptively simple - thoughtful, often poignant lyrics and easy melodies allied with his expressive voice, fine guitar work and intimate delivery to make his songs both memorable and affecting. No wonder he has received the glowing endorsement of Pete Townsend, who invited him to duet on his ‘In The Attic – Pete Townsend and friends’ concert series.