Original acoustic folk rock

4 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Power-folk, FOLK: Folk Pop



Details:
â...a bright and articulate performer.â
--Chelsea Journal , NYC


â ...excellent songs!â
--The Centre Daily Times, PA


"Phil Ochs, wherever his spirit is floating these days, would think that Jim Baron had done him proud."
--WVIS Radio, NYC


â...one of the good troublemakers!â
--WBAI Radio, NYC


In 1996 Jim released his first solo EP, Not For Nothing. It featured live studio takes of Jim on vocals and guitars, accompanied by keyboards and percussion. The sparse arrangements of Not For Nothing and its cohesively dark mood were notably punctuated by Jim's haunting vocals, his evocative lyrics and his intricate guitar playing. The Musicians' Exchange wrote: "Jim Baron is a singer-songwriter who has really come into his own." Not For Nothing garnered regional recognition for Jim in the Northeast as he soon became an established solo act with his unique blend of pop, rock and roots music.
In 1997 Jim began supplementing his income from live performances and CD sales by busking street corners and subways in New York, Boston and Montreal . Inspired by his personal experiences, he soon became a local musical icon for the satirical and sociopolitical material that he put forth on 1997's Now! , and he became a regular guest on New York's WBAI radio station. The title track from Now! displayed a new vibrantly upbeat feel, and songs like "Head" and "I Sing My Life Away" showed a humorous side of Jim's work. The inside connection noted Jim for "...a melodious, ruminating vocal range and a clear new evolved spirit".
In 1998 Jim was a featured performer at Pennsylvania's annual Burn Fest music festival and was prominently included on a compilation CD of the event. In 2000 Jim performed at LaGuardia College as an opener for Pete Seeger. Since then, Jim has played regularly in the New York area both as a soloist and with backing musicians and has released scores of new songs.