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casey abrams

Boston Tramp Art songwriter Casey Abrams

About Me


Casey Abrams, a hyper-literate, generation-hopping singer-songwriter calls his performances "tramp art music"
Like the Depression-era Tramp Artists who created unique works of art from found objects like cigar boxes, lamps, and picture frames, Abrams crafts inspired music from a hundred years-worth of records, books and doo-dads found in the dusty attics and roadside shops of the rural South and the urban Northeast.
Abrams’ sophisticated songs have their roots in Americana, jazz, and the classic singer-songwriter tradition. The idiosyncratic performer is known for infusing ragtime, country blues fingerpicking and jazz chops into a repertoire that ranges from Fats Waller to John Prine, and from Stephen Foster to Todd Rundgren.
Most singer-songwriters start their musical journey with Bob Dylan. For Abrams, however, the road stretches back beyond the artists that influenced Dylan and continues into today’s avant-folk scene. In Abrams, listeners will find the link that ties classic tunesmiths like Hoagy Carmichael to peerless singer-songwriters like Al Stewart and modern artists such as The Decemberists and Wilco.
Casey Abrams is currently at work on his third album, Likely Story, due out later this year. This time out, Abrams and co-producer Adam Levy from The Honeydogs meld the jazzy, occasionally dark, prog-rock of King Crimson and Yes with the country-rock sounds of Gram Parsons and The Band. Likely Story is bound to please lovers of adventurous singer-songwriters like Randy Newman, Paul Simon and Warren Zevon, as well as fans of the current crop of indie-folksters led by artists such as Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, and Joanna Newsom.
Following the release of Likely Story, Casey Abrams and his backing band The Mysterious Strangers will bring their tramp art music to unsuspecting audiences with a full-scale national tour. Abrams is no stranger to the concert stage; over the years, he has performed in countless clubs, festivals and coffeehouses, including dates with the Joan Baez, Eric Burden, and Richie Havens, among others.
For more information, visit www.caseyabrams.com

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 9/14/2004
Band Website: caseyabrams.com
Band Members: Casey Abrams- acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, lap steel

The Mysterious Strangers:

Jaime Chan- drums and percussion
Sven Larson- bass
Mike Litrownik- piano, organ, synthesizers

Influences: warren zevon
randy newman
paul simon
hoagy carmichael
chet baker
elp
ry cooder
gordon lightfoot
leo kottke
steely dan
joni mitchell
fats waller
johnny mercer
jim hall
leon redbone
don mclean
john sebastian
todd rundgren
frank zappa
nick lowe
king crimson
john simon
richie havens
stephen bishop
xtc
the honeydogs
the mills brothers
kenny loggins
bing crosby

“Casey Abrams sports the storytelling ease of Don McLean, the acerbically skewed perspective and laconic delivery of Loudon Wainwright III and the droll humor of Arlo Guthrie. His work fits comfortably with his impressive forefathers.”-Amplifier

“These songs reflect an impeccable knowledge of American music- from dust bowl folk to dirty southern blues to 1970s folk-rock; heck, he even throws in some ragtime because...well, why not if you're that good?”-Pop Matters

“Casey Abrams comes prepared with a guitar case full of crackling stories and a voice so rich and warm that it seems a shame I'm not listening to it on an old turntable. Thirteen American Ghosts? More like Thirteen New American Standards.”-Ear Candy

“...Crafts his own fresh take on familiar forms and breathes new life into them; thoughtful acoustic music from a singer-songwriter who's mastered the trick of looking backwards and forwards at the same time.”-Daily Vault

“Casey Abrams questions the culture with his literate, honest songs, and his obvious sincerity makes the whole thing work masterfully. He’s got some absolutely gorgeous guitar chops, and his skills fit the material perfectly.”-Indie Muse
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Steely Dan, Frank Zappa, Neil Young etc. - unreleased music and your record collection

I was sitting in the doctor's office yesterday, waiting to get a tetanus shot after stepping on a giant ornamental thumb-tack shaped like the moon, when what should get dialed up on the old MP3-player...
Posted by casey abrams on Sat, 14 Jul 2007 09:21:00 PST

Tramp Art Music Blog- Tramp Art Music and your record collection

For starters, what is 'Tramp Art Music'?    Tramp Art was a movement that spanned from the Civil War to the Depression and featured hobos making art out of found objects.  ...
Posted by casey abrams on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:02:00 PST