A Byronic figure on the West Bank scene in Minneapolis during the end of the 20th century whose eloquent songs have been covered by Boiled in Lead, Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson, the Flash Girls, Sherry Minnick and others.

14 MP3 Songs in this album (43:27) !
Related styles: FOLK: Progressive Folk, FOLK: Urban Folk

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Details:
A Byronic figure from the West Bank scene in Minneapolis during the end of the twentieth century, John C. Van Orman made a mark reflected by the many regional artists who have covered his songs over the years. Boiled in Lead, Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson, Sherry Minnick and the Flash Girls are a diverse lot whose covers reflect the breadth of Van Ormanâs appeal.
His songs are often referential, alluding lyrically and musically to images, themes and motifs from traditional folk song, a realm about which he is very knowledgeable. The instruments with which he accompanies himself â guitar, concertina, pump organ, fiddle and hurdy-gurdy â enhance the vintage quality of the material. Van Orman received Minnesota Music Academy awards for his multi-instrumental prowess as well as for his songwriting skills. That said, it is his voice that carries the weight of the music, as is evidenced by the a cappella duet delivery of Crazy Betty with Sherry Minnick.
Minnickâs vocals grace a good portion of the album, even taking the lead on the old hymn Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, one of the two songs featured here that are not Van Orman originals, the other being a cover of the Louvin Brothersâ Youâre Running Wild. Todd Menton provides mandolin and pennywhistle on one track while Drew Miller plays bass guitar on four cuts.
The recordings on Love, Liquor and the Lord date from 1986 to 1991. Mostly done on 16-track, three were recorded on an 8-track home unit. All have been digitally mixed and mastered but retain the rustic character of the analogue originals.