Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer
Encyclopedia
Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer were an American folk duo
who released three albums from 1998 to 2001, as well as additional material released after Dave Carter's
death. The duo consisted of Dave Carter (songwriter, vocals, banjo
, guitar
, organ
) and Tracy Grammer
, (producer, vocals, violin
, mandolin
, guitar).
Their work dealt with a number of themes, particularly Buddhist theology, Arthurian legend (and mythic themes in general), and the American west, often juxtaposed together in one song. In 2002, shortly before his death, Dave spoke of the duo's "ever-burgeoning goddess repertoire" as another lyric theme. One example of his admixture of themes may be found in the closing lines of "Happytown," the first track from the album, Tanglewood Tree
:
Their first album, When I Go
, was actually released as a Dave Carter album "with Tracy Grammer" and Carter sang the lead vocals on all but one of the tracks, "Kate and the Ghost of Lost Love," which was a duet. Produced by the duo, the album was recorded in Grammer's kitchen. Their second album, Tanglewood Tree
, featured a more even split of singing duties, and was the first to actually be labeled as a Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer album. The album was described by Carter in an interview as "the world's first Buddhist country album." Their third album (the last released before Carter's death), Drum Hat Buddha
, maintained an even split between the two on lead vocals. This album met with considerable critical success, and the pair was considered by prominent reviewers to be one of the most promising new folk acts then active. In 2002, they toured the United States with folk legend Joan Baez
, who described Carter's lyric writing as "a kind of genius"
On July 19, 2002, Carter died of a massive heart attack while on tour in western Massachusetts. The impact on the folk music community was considerable; a substantial shrine was spontaneously created by fans and colleagues at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
the following week. Grammer chose to attend the festival and perform without Carter; the festival organizers transformed the scheduled Dave and Tracy set into a tribute concert at which many of the performers at the festival sang Carter's songs, led by Grammer.
Following Carter's death, Grammer went on to release a solo album, The Verdant Mile
, the title track of which was her own tribute to Carter's memory and music. She followed this with Flower of Avalon
, an album featuring nine previously unreleased songs by Carter. The album was produced by Grammer with John Jennings
and featured harmonies by Mary Chapin Carpenter
on many of the tracks - another testament to Carter's influence on folk music.
In 2006, Grammer released the final full-length Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer album, Seven Is the Number
. The album consisted of a 2001–2002 re-recording by the duo of Carter's out-of-print solo project Snake Handlin' Man
, with the addition of two previously unreleased songs, "Seven Is the Number" and "Gas Station Girl".
2007 saw the release of Grammer's latest album, Book of Sparrows
, which contained two Dave Carter songs, as well as American Noel, a collection of holiday songs recorded by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, four of which were Carter originals.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
who released three albums from 1998 to 2001, as well as additional material released after Dave Carter's
Dave Carter
Dave Carter was an American folk singer-songwriter who described his style as "post-modern mythic American folk music." He was one half of the duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, who were heralded as the new "voice of modern folk music" in the months before Carter's unexpected death in July 2002...
death. The duo consisted of Dave Carter (songwriter, vocals, banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
) and Tracy Grammer
Tracy Grammer
Tracy Grammer is an American folk singer known for her work as half of the folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer and for the solo career that she has continued since Carter's death...
, (producer, vocals, violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, guitar).
Their work dealt with a number of themes, particularly Buddhist theology, Arthurian legend (and mythic themes in general), and the American west, often juxtaposed together in one song. In 2002, shortly before his death, Dave spoke of the duo's "ever-burgeoning goddess repertoire" as another lyric theme. One example of his admixture of themes may be found in the closing lines of "Happytown," the first track from the album, Tanglewood Tree
Tanglewood Tree
Tanglewood Tree is a 2000 album by American folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer.- Track listing :All songs written by Dave Carter.# "Happytown " – 3:34# "Tanglewood Tree" – 3:42# "The Mountain" – 3:39...
:
- parceval and valentino, ridin' winged palominos
- willie in his el camino, on the run
- here in the shining city, here in the endless summer
- here in the cave of wonder, number ninety-two
- the gods will lounge around until the show is through
- but it's all right, it's all right with me, if it's all right with you
Their first album, When I Go
When I Go (album)
When I Go is a 1998 album by American folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer.- Track listing :All songs written by Dave Carter.# "When I Go" – 4:16# "Don't Tread on Me" – 3:23# "Annie's Lover" – 2:52...
, was actually released as a Dave Carter album "with Tracy Grammer" and Carter sang the lead vocals on all but one of the tracks, "Kate and the Ghost of Lost Love," which was a duet. Produced by the duo, the album was recorded in Grammer's kitchen. Their second album, Tanglewood Tree
Tanglewood Tree
Tanglewood Tree is a 2000 album by American folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer.- Track listing :All songs written by Dave Carter.# "Happytown " – 3:34# "Tanglewood Tree" – 3:42# "The Mountain" – 3:39...
, featured a more even split of singing duties, and was the first to actually be labeled as a Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer album. The album was described by Carter in an interview as "the world's first Buddhist country album." Their third album (the last released before Carter's death), Drum Hat Buddha
Drum Hat Buddha
Drum Hat Buddha is a 2001 album by American folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer.- Track listing :All songs written by Dave Carter.# "Ordinary Town" – 2:48# "Tillman Co." – 3:26# "Disappering Man" – 3:49...
, maintained an even split between the two on lead vocals. This album met with considerable critical success, and the pair was considered by prominent reviewers to be one of the most promising new folk acts then active. In 2002, they toured the United States with folk legend Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
, who described Carter's lyric writing as "a kind of genius"
On July 19, 2002, Carter died of a massive heart attack while on tour in western Massachusetts. The impact on the folk music community was considerable; a substantial shrine was spontaneously created by fans and colleagues at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is an American annual folk-oriented music festival and dance festival formerly held at the Long Hill Farm in Hillsdale, New York, USA. In 2006, the event moved to nearby Dodds Farm, just off Rt. 22, five miles north of the Rt. 22/Rt. 23 intersection in Hillsdale, on...
the following week. Grammer chose to attend the festival and perform without Carter; the festival organizers transformed the scheduled Dave and Tracy set into a tribute concert at which many of the performers at the festival sang Carter's songs, led by Grammer.
Following Carter's death, Grammer went on to release a solo album, The Verdant Mile
The Verdant Mile
The Verdant Mile is a 2004 extended play album by American folk singer Tracy Grammer.- Track listing :# "The Verdant Mile" # "This Dirty Little Town" # "Wasn't Born To Follow" # "Solitary Man"...
, the title track of which was her own tribute to Carter's memory and music. She followed this with Flower of Avalon
Flower of Avalon
Flower of Avalon is a 2005 album by American folk singer Tracy Grammer. This was her first full solo album following the death of Dave Carter in 2002. The recording offered Grammer's take on nine previously unrecorded songs written by Carter and one traditional tune...
, an album featuring nine previously unreleased songs by Carter. The album was produced by Grammer with John Jennings
John Jennings (musician)
John Jennings is an American musician: a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and music producer.Among his producer work are 8 albums by Mary Chapin Carpenter, as well as releases by Beausoleil, John Gorka, and Janis Ian...
and featured harmonies by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter is an American folk and country music artist. Carpenter spent several years singing in Washington, D.C. clubs before signing in the late 1980s with Columbia Records, who marketed her as a country singer...
on many of the tracks - another testament to Carter's influence on folk music.
In 2006, Grammer released the final full-length Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer album, Seven Is the Number
Seven Is the Number
Seven Is the Number is a 2006 album by American folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer. It was the duo's final recording, released over four years after Carter's unexpected death due to a heart attack in July 2002....
. The album consisted of a 2001–2002 re-recording by the duo of Carter's out-of-print solo project Snake Handlin' Man
Snake Handlin' Man
Snake Handlin' Man is a 1995 album by American folk singer Dave Carter. This was his solo debut prior to his very successful partnership with fiddler, Tracy Grammer . The duo re-recorded "The River Where She Sleeps" for their 1998 album When I Go, and "Cowboy Singer" for their 2000 release,...
, with the addition of two previously unreleased songs, "Seven Is the Number" and "Gas Station Girl".
2007 saw the release of Grammer's latest album, Book of Sparrows
Book of Sparrows
-Musicians:* Tracy Grammer - vocals, guitar, banjo, mandola, violin, percussion* Jim Henry - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dobro- Charts :- External links :* from the official Tracy Grammer web site *...
, which contained two Dave Carter songs, as well as American Noel, a collection of holiday songs recorded by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, four of which were Carter originals.