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Description
**Little Sun (2024)**
Charlie Parr's *Little Sun* represents a quiet but significant departure in the Minnesota troubadour's expansive discography. The Minnesota-born guitarist and multi-instrumentalist-renowned for his resonator guitar prowess and resonant vocals-delivers his eighteenth album through the prestigious Smithsonian Folkways label in March 2024.
Produced by Tucker Martine in his first collaboration with Parr, the record features a fuller sonic palette than Parr's previous solo efforts. For the first time, the project incorporates a full band: Marisa Anderson on electric guitar, Victor Krummenacher on bass and bass VI, Asher Fulero on Hammond organ, Anna Tivel on backing vocals, plus special guests Mary DuShane and Liz Draper. Tucker Martine's production and engineering provide pristine fidelity throughout.
The album's opening track, "Portland Ave," reflects on a woman named Annie while introducing listeners to Parr's more expansive sound. It features dual guitars, percussion, and keyboard accompaniment, establishing the full-band aesthetic that defines the record. The title track "Little Sun" draws on vintage musical themes while integrating organ, harmonica, guitar, drums, and keys. Tracks like "Boombox" showcase Parr's ability to create danceable melodies, while "Bear Head Lake" offers a more contemplative timelapse-like quality. "Boombox" demonstrates Parr's capacity to craft uplifting songs that can make even the most jaded listener want to dance.
Throughout the 41-minute record, Tivel's backing vocals complement Parr's lead performance beautifully, and the tracklist includes songs of reflection ("Portland Ave"), perseverance ("Pale Fire"), solitude ("Ten Watt"), and contentment ("Sloth"). Parr's lyrics-whether examining his reclusive tendencies or exploring themes of faith, empathy, and aging-remain as compelling as ever.
While some purists might miss the stripped-down intimacy of earlier albums, *Little Sun* succeeds as Parr's most sonically expansive work to date. The Smithsonian Folkways imprint provides the album with a sense of archival gravitas, and the recording quality sets a high bar for folk-blues recordings of the era. This is an album worth adding to any collection, particularly on vinyl where Parr's nuanced performances truly shine. A 4/5 Scum Drop recommendation.
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