An Evening with A. Lee Edwards

A. Lee (Alan) Edwards has been making music for 30 years. It’s been an essential element throughout his entire life. That said, his new music represents a rebirth of sorts, one that’s manifest in not one, but two new albums, Interpreting Heart Sounds Vol. I and Interpreting Heart Sounds Vol. II. Produced by the legendary John Wood (the man behind the boards for Nick Drake, Fairport Convention, John Cale, Squeeze, and Richard and Linda Thompson), the new album is a major milestone in a career that has already spawned five albums — three under the aegis of “Lou Ford” and two under the handle of “The Loudermilks.”

Recorded at the famed Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville North Carolina, both albums were engineered by Kenny Harrington, mixed and mastered by the team at Well Made Music in Bristol, TN., and pressed locally at Citizen Vinyl in Asheville. Vol. 1 is a band-oriented effort, while Vol. 2 features a more stripped down sound with the addition of strings.

Vol. 1 also features a guest appearance by Richard Thompson on the track titled “John on the Run.”

The songs are both tender and enticing, from the decidedly down home delivery of “Caroline” and the earnest and engaging “Ride On,” to the reflective sounds of “John on the Run,” “Mom (Always Liked You)” and “How Blue.” They epitomize the approach of an artist solely in control of his craft while inspired by honesty, integrity, creativity and craft.