Jim McGrath - Last of the Romantics

Jim McGrath’s 2010 CD, The Last of the Romantics, is a kind of sentimental journey into what I hope is not a vanishing genre.

When I was growing up, Pete Seeger, Peter Paul and Mary, Joan Baez, the Kingston Trio, Trini Lopez, Barry McGuire and the New Christy Minstrels and many other folk singers were popular. They sang the conscience of the times and mirrored the growth pangs of our nation. Folk music lovers gathered in pubs, coffee shops and festivals – the bailiwicks of the common people. The attraction was similar to the reason that people in the UK and Europe gather after work in pubs to drink a pint, sing and decompress from the stresses of life. Folksingers express the plight of the common people. Jim McGrath absolutely comes from that tradition, working in the New England music scene for over four decades. He wrote nine of the twelve songs on this album.

The whole album has the feel of musicians who know what they’re doing and had a good time creating it. Jim’s close friend and colleague, Jim Bennett, provided fine accompaniment on mandolin, banjo and guitar, along with additional help from Don Barry on Bass, Rochelle Vaillancourt on violin, and Alec Redfearn on accordion. The most outstanding instrument of all is Jim McGrath’s fine baritone voice. Last year I had the good fortune to hear Jim and friends from the Wepecket Island record label during their Rolling Roots Revue. You can read about that performance here: Wepecket Island Rolling Roots Revue. I was deeply moved that night by the rich power of Jim’s vocal rendition of "Wild Mountain Thyme", which caused tears to spring into my eyes.

The title song, “Last of the Romantics” has an easy flow; a pleasant, old-time tribute to another shrinking population; the wayfarin’ sailor with a girl in every port.

“The Lady With the Banjo” could be a song for the campfire. It has an easy melody and as Jim suggests in the liner notes, if singers could think up new towns on the spot, the rhymes and possibilities are endless.

“Before They Close the Minstrel Show” is a sad tune about days gone by, written by Bob Coltman.

“Rhode Island Red” is a fun kind of a novelty song about a rooster. This is a song I can imagine making farmers chuckle at a county fair.

“Stern Trawler Waltz” is a song I can easily imagine being performed at a country-dance. They don’t write ‘em like this anymore. One, two, three, four -- telling the story of life in a small fishing community: the hard work, family, and a few, brief moments of fun to make it all worth it.

“It Ain’t Rainin’“is my favorite song on the album. Jim’s heart really comes through in the vocal. It has an impassioned Gordon Lightfoot feeling and makes me want to cry. Lovely instrumentation as well.

“Tin Can Sailors” is a blast. One can imagine gangs of manly men doing sweaty work while singing this call and response tune in the sea-chanty style. Great fun.

“Times Are Getting Hard” is a song that would do well with lots of people singing along with robust harmony. It’s a statement about hard times, sung with passion.

“Brown Bagger’s Paradise” is the hard luck story of uncomplicated men who drink away their pain.

“Holy Grail” is the sad story of the archetypal alcoholic – a man who began drinking while he was a hero in the armed forces and the sad progression of the disease until his demise in a state nursing home. How many innocent and hopeful people were derailed from life as victims of addiction?

“Passing Through” is the classic folk tune by Dick Blakeslee with additional verses by Jim McGrath. This song is of the caliber of “This Land is Your Land”, “The Power and the Glory” and “If I Had a Hammer”. Jim could lead a crowd of thousands in a sing-a-long with this one.

“Hey, Friend” probably would have been recorded by Tom Paxton or Tom Rush if they’d had the chance. Jim, this is as good as “Ramblin’ Boy”, thanks for including it in the collection. It’s a comforting song of camaraderie and concern.

To find out more about Jim McGrath, check out his website: http://www.jimmcgrathri.com

Produced by Wepecket Island Records, March, 2010

http://www.myspace.com/wepecketislandrecords and http://www.wepecket.com/