Jim McGrath’s 2010 CD, The Last of the Romantics, is a kind
of sentimental journey into what I hope is not a vanishing genre.
When I was growing up, Pete Seeger, Peter Paul and Mary,
Joan Baez, the Kingston Trio, Trini Lopez, Barry McGuire and the New Christy
Minstrels and many other folk singers were popular. They sang the conscience of
the times and mirrored the growth pangs of our nation. Folk music lovers
gathered in pubs, coffee shops and festivals – the bailiwicks of the common
people. The attraction was similar to the reason that people in the UK and
Europe gather after work in pubs to drink a pint, sing and decompress from the
stresses of life. Folksingers express the plight of the common people. Jim
McGrath absolutely comes from that tradition, working in the New England music
scene for over four decades. He wrote nine of the twelve songs on this album.
The whole album has the feel of musicians who know what
they’re doing and had a good time creating it. Jim’s close friend and
colleague, Jim Bennett, provided fine accompaniment on mandolin, banjo and
guitar, along with additional help from Don Barry on Bass, Rochelle
Vaillancourt on violin, and Alec Redfearn on accordion. The most outstanding
instrument of all is Jim McGrath’s fine baritone voice. Last year I had the
good fortune to hear Jim and friends from the Wepecket Island record label during their Rolling Roots Revue. You can read about that performance here: Wepecket Island Rolling Roots Revue. I was deeply moved that night by the rich power of Jim’s
vocal rendition of "Wild Mountain Thyme", which caused tears to spring
into my
eyes.
The title song, “Last of the Romantics” has an easy flow; a pleasant,
old-time tribute to another shrinking population; the wayfarin’ sailor with a
girl in every port.
“The Lady With the Banjo” could be a song for the campfire.
It has an easy melody and as Jim suggests in the liner notes, if singers could
think up new towns on the spot, the rhymes and possibilities are endless.
“Before They Close the Minstrel Show” is a sad tune about days gone by, written by Bob
Coltman.
“Rhode Island Red” is a fun kind of a novelty song about a
rooster. This is a song I can imagine making farmers chuckle at a county fair.
“Stern Trawler Waltz” is a song I can easily imagine being
performed at a country-dance. They don’t write ‘em like this anymore. One, two,
three, four -- telling the story of life in a small fishing community: the hard
work, family, and a few, brief moments of fun to make it all worth it.
“It Ain’t Rainin’“is my favorite song on the album.
Jim’s heart really comes through in the vocal. It has an impassioned Gordon
Lightfoot feeling and makes me want to cry. Lovely instrumentation as well.
“Tin Can Sailors” is a blast. One can imagine
gangs of manly men doing sweaty work while singing this call and response tune
in the sea-chanty style. Great fun.
“Times Are Getting Hard” is a song that would do well with
lots of people singing along with robust harmony. It’s a statement about hard
times, sung with passion.
“Brown Bagger’s Paradise” is the hard luck story of
uncomplicated men who drink away their pain.
“Holy Grail” is the sad story of the archetypal
alcoholic – a man who began drinking while he was a hero in the armed forces
and the sad progression of the disease until his demise in a state nursing
home. How many innocent and hopeful people were derailed from life as victims
of addiction?
“Passing Through” is the classic folk tune by Dick Blakeslee
with additional verses by Jim McGrath. This song is of the caliber of “This
Land is Your Land”, “The Power and the Glory” and “If I Had a Hammer”. Jim
could lead a crowd of thousands in a sing-a-long with this one.
“Hey, Friend” probably would have been recorded by Tom
Paxton or Tom Rush if they’d had the chance. Jim, this is as good as “Ramblin’
Boy”, thanks for including it in the collection. It’s a comforting song of
camaraderie and concern.
To find out more about Jim McGrath, check out his website: http://www.jimmcgrathri.com
Produced by Wepecket Island Records, March, 2010
http://www.myspace.com/wepecketislandrecords and http://www.wepecket.com/
