I write this review on Eric Anderson's eightieth birthday, February 14, 2023, as a tribute to him and love letter from a fan.
What do you do in the ten percent of your life that is not maintenance? Eric, a creative genius with the gift of introspection, expresses the joys and sorrows of life in his poetic music. He is indeed a songpoet.
In the film, Eric's reflections are woven between interviews with people from his life. Photos, film of festivals and concerts, (and dives into his extensive journal and letter archive), magnificently congeal in a film bathed in his soulful, visionary music.
Born in Pittsburgh, raised in upstate New York, as a teenager into music, writing, and art, Eric dropped out of college and went to San Francisco's North Beach in 1963 to bask in the presence of The Beats, bohemian artists who questioned the meaninglessness of modern society and expressed themselves artistically in free and unstructured ways. They taught him a new ways to see and live.
In S. F. he played in clubs and on street corners. An idealistic busker with movie star looks and boundless creative energy, Eric fell in love with Debbie Green who ran a music-coffeehouse in Berkeley. Tom Paxton saw him perform and invited him to look him up in Greenwich Village, New York. Eric and Debbie made the trip East, and landed in the midst of a lively, global artistic folk scene.
In the Village, Eric performed at the historic bar Kettle of Fish and at the Gaslight, hung out with Tom Paxton, Bob Dylan, and Phil Ochs. Ochs became his mentor, introduced him around, and invited Eric to sing with him onstage at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival.
Tom Paxton introduced producers to Eric's music, and Vanguard signed him. Eric, extremely well read on history, philosophy, and the arts, was inspired by the surrealistic poet Arthur Rimbaud. He appeared in a Warhol improv movie. Eric and his song "Thirsty Boots" stood out; the definition of folk music.
In 1965 when Dylan went electric, Eric embraced the fusion.
In 1967, Beatles manager Brian Epstein wrote eight letter's to Eric gushing over his talent, excited by the prospect of being his manager. Ironic that Eric, the antidote to The Beatles, was signed by Epstein. Then, bad news came in a cruel way at the Philadelphia Folk Festival run by hardcore folkies. Ken Goldstein said he was "happy to announce" Brian Epstein's death. This is when Eric parted with the folk scene.
Eric wrote songs for and hung out with other musical luminaries. He was close with Patti Smith, with whom he shared a love for literary geniuses. In 1970, Eric joined the Festival Express in Canada. At this time, he was a loving, doting father who was conflicted because he wanted to study, write poetry, and go to Europe. Two friends Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin both died at twenty-seven.
In 1972 he released "Blue River." Joni Mitchell sang on the title track. At that time, Clive Davis called producer Norbert Putnam, who had produced Joan Baez, and told him about Eric, the poet. Skeptical about producing a folk album, Norbert was nevertheless entranced by Eric. He got his songs on the first takes. Debbie Green was a force in that album, which brought Eric a wider audience.
"Stages" was to be his follow up album at a time when Eric Anderson was hailed as "the new Dylan." While recording in Nashville, Leon Russell interrupted his session with a confrontative attitude and took up eight hours of Eric's budget. In a bizarre and seemingly cruel turn, the tapes of the "Stages" sessions disappeared from Nashville, hindering a rising career.
In 1980, Eric was invited to Norway by a record store owner who discovered the magic of "Blue River." Winding streets, family history, a new love, and a long-held vision of being a writer in Europe enticed him to stay. Being an ex-pat wasn't the best for his career, but he choose what he needed.
In the early 90s, Eric was part of Danko/Fjeld/Anderson with friend Rick Dank and Jonus Fjeld. They had chemistry and collaborated generously, trading verses and working for the good of the band.
If all of this isn't interesting enough, one night, Eric's lost album "Stages" was delivered anonymously in the dead of night at the Columbia records vault, from Nashville -- seventeen years later.
Eric's harmony singer now is his Dutch wife Inga. It seems they have found a balance where Eric has his creative, introspective life, and a family. He is still creating, putting the words of Byron to music.
I am excited to see what Eric creates now. It's impossible for me not to be moved by his music. If you love poetry and songs that color the soul, I recommend "The Songpoet" documentary and an exploration into this gifted artist's musical collection.
I wish a Happy Birthday to Eric Andersen, from a fan who was in the generation that missed you then, but happily found you now.
You can see The Songpoet on PBS.
What do you do in the ten percent of your life that is not maintenance? Eric, a creative genius with the gift of introspection, expresses the joys and sorrows of life in his poetic music. He is indeed a songpoet.
In the film, Eric's reflections are woven between interviews with people from his life. Photos, film of festivals and concerts, (and dives into his extensive journal and letter archive), magnificently congeal in a film bathed in his soulful, visionary music.
Born in Pittsburgh, raised in upstate New York, as a teenager into music, writing, and art, Eric dropped out of college and went to San Francisco's North Beach in 1963 to bask in the presence of The Beats, bohemian artists who questioned the meaninglessness of modern society and expressed themselves artistically in free and unstructured ways. They taught him a new ways to see and live.
In S. F. he played in clubs and on street corners. An idealistic busker with movie star looks and boundless creative energy, Eric fell in love with Debbie Green who ran a music-coffeehouse in Berkeley. Tom Paxton saw him perform and invited him to look him up in Greenwich Village, New York. Eric and Debbie made the trip East, and landed in the midst of a lively, global artistic folk scene.
In the Village, Eric performed at the historic bar Kettle of Fish and at the Gaslight, hung out with Tom Paxton, Bob Dylan, and Phil Ochs. Ochs became his mentor, introduced him around, and invited Eric to sing with him onstage at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival.
Tom Paxton introduced producers to Eric's music, and Vanguard signed him. Eric, extremely well read on history, philosophy, and the arts, was inspired by the surrealistic poet Arthur Rimbaud. He appeared in a Warhol improv movie. Eric and his song "Thirsty Boots" stood out; the definition of folk music.
In 1965 when Dylan went electric, Eric embraced the fusion.
In 1967, Beatles manager Brian Epstein wrote eight letter's to Eric gushing over his talent, excited by the prospect of being his manager. Ironic that Eric, the antidote to The Beatles, was signed by Epstein. Then, bad news came in a cruel way at the Philadelphia Folk Festival run by hardcore folkies. Ken Goldstein said he was "happy to announce" Brian Epstein's death. This is when Eric parted with the folk scene.
Eric wrote songs for and hung out with other musical luminaries. He was close with Patti Smith, with whom he shared a love for literary geniuses. In 1970, Eric joined the Festival Express in Canada. At this time, he was a loving, doting father who was conflicted because he wanted to study, write poetry, and go to Europe. Two friends Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin both died at twenty-seven.
In 1972 he released "Blue River." Joni Mitchell sang on the title track. At that time, Clive Davis called producer Norbert Putnam, who had produced Joan Baez, and told him about Eric, the poet. Skeptical about producing a folk album, Norbert was nevertheless entranced by Eric. He got his songs on the first takes. Debbie Green was a force in that album, which brought Eric a wider audience.
"Stages" was to be his follow up album at a time when Eric Anderson was hailed as "the new Dylan." While recording in Nashville, Leon Russell interrupted his session with a confrontative attitude and took up eight hours of Eric's budget. In a bizarre and seemingly cruel turn, the tapes of the "Stages" sessions disappeared from Nashville, hindering a rising career.
In 1980, Eric was invited to Norway by a record store owner who discovered the magic of "Blue River." Winding streets, family history, a new love, and a long-held vision of being a writer in Europe enticed him to stay. Being an ex-pat wasn't the best for his career, but he choose what he needed.
In the early 90s, Eric was part of Danko/Fjeld/Anderson with friend Rick Dank and Jonus Fjeld. They had chemistry and collaborated generously, trading verses and working for the good of the band.
If all of this isn't interesting enough, one night, Eric's lost album "Stages" was delivered anonymously in the dead of night at the Columbia records vault, from Nashville -- seventeen years later.
Eric's harmony singer now is his Dutch wife Inga. It seems they have found a balance where Eric has his creative, introspective life, and a family. He is still creating, putting the words of Byron to music.
I am excited to see what Eric creates now. It's impossible for me not to be moved by his music. If you love poetry and songs that color the soul, I recommend "The Songpoet" documentary and an exploration into this gifted artist's musical collection.
I wish a Happy Birthday to Eric Andersen, from a fan who was in the generation that missed you then, but happily found you now.
You can see The Songpoet on PBS.
