This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
His name may not ring a bell with the general public, but in folk circles Eric Von Schmidt is something of an icon.
How much of an icon? Well, he was an early influence on a little-known folksinger by the name of Bob Dylan. (In fact, Von Schmidt’s debut album is one of the LPs pictured on the cover of Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home.) Which gives this long-lost recording — a previously unreleased 1971 album — a certain amount of historic value to go along with the musical value.
ON THE MENU: With the help of guests like Paul Butterfield, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Amost Garrett and Geoff and Maria Muldaur, Eric and his deep, smoky voice deliver a slate of loose, relaxed folk and blues intertwined with touches of gospel, soul and even psychedelia.
SURPRISE: That this disc has managed to remain unissued for three decades.
