The sea is glist’ning, the rains have gone
Seabirds are racing, long after they’ve won
The wind is rising, skies blowing clear
The Isle of Staffa grows ever more near
The cave of Fingal rising so high
With turquoise waters churning inside
Ancient rock chiseled by cold, fire and heat
Hexagonal patterns, rise up from the sea
– Brian Freeman from “Isle of
Staffa”
Born with five
fingers (no thumb) on his right hand, Freeman developed and honed a
unique flatpick/fingerpick guitar style that is at-once blazing,
at-once tender and melodic, leading many to remark “how does he
get so much sound out of one guitar?” The solid rhythms and
intricate melodies beautifully compliment his rich, warm vocals that
fit his original and Celtic material like a well-worn glove.
Traveling to Scotland 30
years ago to explore his family roots exposed him to the music of his
heritage and soul, and he’s been performing it ever since. His
Freeman ancestors became “free men” in the Ayrshire region
of western Scotland, and it is from that local which his stories and
many of the songs emanate. It should come as no surprise that Freeman
has developed a substantial catalogue of Robert Burns songs gleaned
from performing 20 years at Burns Celebrations.
Praised as an
accomplished instrumentalist, passionate singer and compelling
storyteller, it is the songs both original and traditional that leave
audiences feeling like they have just had a conversation with a good
friend. With themes of love, death, envy, friendship, and the
changes brought with aging or parenthood, Freeman’s songs speak
to each audience member, young and old alike, moving them to join in an
instantly remembered chorus in common recognition.
Freeman has shared the
stage with many of folk music’s top performers in his thirty years
of playing including The Battlefield Band, The Kingston Trio, John
Renbourn, Pentangle, and Doc Watson to name a few. His six
recordings have garnered enthusiastic response from radio stations and
reviewers alike: “Here’s a folkie you can freely
recommend to anyone who wants to find a new sound that is well worth
the price of admission.” – Midcap Record
Recap
Whether playing to thousands at festivals or hundreds in smaller
concert settings, Freeman leaves an audience with a comfortable feeling
of time well spent with someone who excels in his craft, and who
respects the audience as much as the music.
