Artie Traum Thief Of Time CD

Although Artie Traum has long been a folk-rock artist first and foremost, the word "jazz" frequently comes up in connection with the veteran singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist. Traum has often brought a major jazz influence to his work, and he is quite capable of functioning in an instrumental setting (the Traum CD Acoustic Jazz Guitar is a collection of instrumental performances spanning 1992-2004). But Thief of Time is strictly a vocal album; it is also one of Traum's most rewarding and consistent efforts. Traum has, on occasion, recorded albums that were inconsistent and uneven, but this 2007 release is memorable from start to finish -- and Traum (who wrote or co-wrote most of the material) excels on tracks that have a strong post-bop jazz influence (such as "Midnight Blue," "Back in the Sugarcane," and the infectious opener, "Bonnie Jean") as well as tracks that don't (for example, "Halifax," "Last Tree in the Bronx," and the haunting "Insult a Man"). A few of the songs find Traum playing some electric guitar (including ...