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Calvin spent the early 80`s
in & out of south Texas back and forth across "The Valley",living
th elife of a vagabond in this smuggling ground.Landing in prison
in Nuevo Laredo Old Mexico in the winter of 85 he found himself
sleeping on a concrete mattress in the coldest winter that desolate
has ever seen.Following his return to Austin Calvin upgraded
his sleeping quarters to the dirt space under a house on Patterson
Avenue in Old Clarkesville as he tried to convince the Austin
music industry to listen to his material.
Calvin also found himself
hanging out in several of the alcohol and drug laced writer enclaves
of the Hill Country just outside the city.The places that had
provided hideouts to outlaws throughout western history,also
provided renegade songwriters such as Townes van Zandt Jimmy
Dale Gilmour,Willie Nelson,Leon Russell,Willis Alan Ramsey,Jerry
Jeff Walker and Michael Murphy with a creative working environment.These
southern talents and wild smokey hills provided inspiration for
the like of Blaze Foley,Calvin,Lee Fuller,Rich Minus and Hal
Ketchum.
Calvin in his own words best
describes himself "An outlaw rock and roll soldier fighting
sorrow in modern times"and in the new release Calvin continues
the gight.This release features 7 new songs and a cover of the
late Townes van Zandt"Mr Mudd & Mr Gold",a cover
of Steppenwolf`s "Desperation" and a B Foley song "Lovin
You".
Produced by
Jim Dickinson(they first worked together in 1992 on the
soldier album)the new CD was recorded in Memphis which is the
first time Calvin has recorded outside his native Austin.
Also added
to Calvin`s band this year is the whizz-kid Chuck Phrophet
on guitar.
The rythm section features the very brilliant David Hood and
Roger Hawkins (who have worked with Mick Jagger,Eric Clapton,Steve
Winwood,Rod Stewart,Cher,Carlos Santana & Linda Ronstadt)
Since 1989
when Patrick Mathe first met Calvin at the Continental
Club in Austin and signed him to a recording deal with New
Rose Records Calvin has released four studio recordings and
a live album.All his albums have painted stories reaching from
Texas to the crossroads of humanity,a place where no man can
claim a country.
His first french
release "A Crack in Time" was hailed as a great
record,in the colors of the Lone Star State and led to festival
stints in europe with Little Village and the Kinks.
His second
album"Sounds from the Fourth World"offering
more depictions from the seedier side of life,captured the attention
of both french audiences and music critics alike.This release
featured the single"crossroads" considered one of Calvin`s
classics.
"Soldier"
his
third release with New Rose was produced by Jim Dickinson.Nine
Tracks captured the raw energy and straightforward nature of
Calvin`s live performance.Les Inrockuptibles said of the disc
"There are evenings where the choice is simple if you want
it to convince your sweetheart either listen to Blonde on Blonde
again or put on "Soldier"
Success with
this record led New Rose to release a Calvin live album
entitled "Le Voyageur".This release was recorded
during sold out shows at the Olympia theatre in Paris,EXO-7 in
Rouen,Zig Zag in Orleans,and the Elysee-Montmartre in Paris.In
1993 Calvin played 178 shows in Europe.
"Dream
of the Dog" was
his fifth release and is a classic chapter in Calvins inspired
saga.
With the release
of this brand new opus the story goes on...and we push open a
door into the deep west where mirages become concrete as soon
as you open you eyes & ears ...Believe in the magic.
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