Clarence Bucaro Sweet Corn CD

It's slightly ironic that one of the most compelling tracks on a colorful, down-home Americana roots collection is a song that talks about the search for such roots. Not only that, but "I Am Just a Refugee"'s plaintive lyrics are backed by a rolling, South African-flavored guitar line reminiscent of Paul Simon's "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes." Elsewhere, the old soul in a 22-year-old body is content to plug in on the porch (or just go acoustic) and apply his tender voice to rueful songs like "Sad Lament" and contemplations along the lines of "Northern Lights." Many of his lyrics make for fine social commentary, as the best folk music does. "Streets of Juarez" does this with a cool Latin lilt. It's easy to spot Bucaro's Delta blues influences like Blind Willie Johnson and Robert Johnson, and he has developed a unique vocal/performance style that blends Billie Holiday, Van Morrison, and Otis Redding. Nothing from the Southern blues realm can be complete without a touch of gospel, and his knee-slapping a cappella twist on "John the Revelator" caps a memorable set. ~ Jonathan Widran

Debut;Guests Eliza Gilkyson; Produced By Anders Osborne

Recorded at John Schab Recording Studios, Columbus, Ohio; Dam Recording, Chicago, Illinois; Universal's Groundstar Lavatory, Nashville, Tennessee.

Personnel: Clarence Bucaro (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica, background vocals); Tom Beardslee (vocals, guitar, mandolin, background vocals); Eliza Gilkyson (vocals); Steve Fox (mandolin, upright bass, background vocals); Peter Harris (violin); Brian Newman (trumpet); Anders Osborne (keyboards, tambourine, background vocals); Geoff Sullivan (drums, percussion); Steve Fox (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Joe Viers; Anders Osborne.

Recording information: Dam Recording, Chicago, IL; John Schwab Recording Studio; Universal's Groundstar Lavatory, Nashville, TN.

Photographer: Kathryn Ryan.

Personnel: Clarence Bucaro (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica); Tom Beardslee (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Eliza Gilkyson (vocals); Steve Fox (mandolin, upright bass, washtub bass, background vocals); Peter Harris (violin); Brian Newman (trumpet); Geoff Sullivan (drums, percussion); Anders Osborne (background vocals).

Living Blues (5/03, p.102) - "...His voice, a smooth tenor, provides a neat continuity between the songs. It's a sound - and style - reminiscent of Paul Simon's GRACELAND-era material..."