Cliff Eberhardt 12 Songs Of Good & Evil CD

Cliff Eberhardt is part of the wave of performers sometimes referred to as "Urban Folkies" that includes John Gorka, Shawn Colvin and Lucy Kaplansky. Drawing on his roots in '60s and '70s folk-rock for an earthy, acoustic guitar-based sound, Eberhardt comes up with sharp, carefully-crafted songs that offer pop hooks as well as some smart lyrics. Aided here by empathetic session stalwarts like bassist Dave Richards and guitarist Mark Schulman, Eberhardt uses his gritty, soulful voice to fine effect on songs that wrestle with the usual Big Subjects; life, love, loss, etc.

What sets him apart is the depth inherent in his compositions, and his knack for an irresistible melody. He injects classic R&B and '60s pop inflections into what might otherwise have been a fairly straightforward singer-songwriter album. Consequently, echoes of everyone from The Band to Goffin and King run through these 12 SONGS OF GOOD AND EVIL.

Personnel: Cliff Eberhardt (vocals, acoustic & electric guitar, dobro, cowbell, handclaps, percussion); Mark Shulman (guitar, tiple, bouzouki, percussion); Seth Farber (accordion; piano, organ, handclaps); Dave Richards (acoustic & electric bass); Michael Visceglia (bass); Doug Plavin (drums, percussion); Dave Seitz (drum programming); Julie Gold, Tobie Grama, Hillary Jackson (handclaps); Liz Queler (background vocals).

Personnel: Cliff Eberhardt (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dobro, cowbells, hand claps, percussion); Marc Shulman (electric guitar, tiple, percussion); Seth Farber (accordion, piano, organ, hand claps); Dave Richards (acoustic bass); Doug Plavin (drums, percussion); Julie Gold (hand claps); David Seitz (drum programming).