Search - Kate Wolf & the Wildwood Flower :: Back Roads

Kate captures the 'essence' of the rural west

bob coyle | 08/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't think of anyone who seemed to understand and was able to convey the feeling of the West better than Kate. This CD says it all. I first met her when I was living in Mariposa CA. in the 'golden rolling hills' she sang about. Some of her songs seem a little dated now but most of the songs on this album will strike a cord with country folk who love the land and life they lead."

Personal memories and public praise

Gavin M. Small | 08/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My name isn't Gavin. This is my friend's account and his computer, too. I don't have either and I'm not of the digital set, but I'm well aquainted with Kate's tunes. My name is David Silverman and I'm a guitarest and ol' time fiddler and once had the good fortune to spend time with Kate and Bruce Utah Phillips and Nina Gerber in northern California and also in Austin' Texas. These are people who helped to shape my musical persona and who helped me to become who I am now, some thirty years later. For that I'll always be greatfull, but perticurly to Kate, who took a personal intrest in me. The level of dedication that kate Wolf had for her poetry set to music was unbelievable and when she wasn't struggling to keep it together on the survival level, sleeping in her car and playing nickel and dime gigs her creativity flowed like water comming out of a spiggot in the purest form I'd ever heard before or since. She was a folk singer and writer in the best sence, taking the experiences we as people hold in common, friendship, love, lonliness, love for family and wonder of the world we are surrounded by and she put them in a context that was totaly believable and easy to relate to. Durring her short time with us she gave us gifts we can enjoy for all time and that is the mark of a true artist and anyone not firmiliar with her works who has a proclivity tward this form would do himself a favor by developing a collection of her music. It is gratifying to know it is so redily available here, even after this length of time. Her music will always be relavent. David Silverman Raleigh, North Carolina"