Vermont-born folk singer and luthier Dan Harris knows a thing or two about the traditions of old-time roots music.
A steward of sound in several facets, Harris follows in the footsteps of folk n' roots guitar pickers that came before him, and in April, he released his debut album, Hotdogs and Chardonnay.
Like a good tried and true hotdog, his style is aesthetically uncomplicated and approachable, preferring raw talent to the flashy sounds and addendums that characterize much of current music. As the saying goes: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Hotdogs and Chardonnay showcases masterful string and harmonica instrumentation, and can instantly transport listeners to the music of yesteryear, or at the very least a local small town folk fest. A collection of 10 raw yet comforting tracks, Hotdogs and Chardonnay marks as a solid easy listen for Harris' debut album.
With a playful juxtaposition of two things that typically don't pair together (note: we're no sommeliers), the album title pokes fun at the sophistication of modern society, suggesting that we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. Instead, Harris' mellow Americana sound and organic lyrics encourage listeners to lean into the realness of life and its ebbs and flows. This playful title also hints at the ironic truth that unlikely pairings often bring about something unexpectedly delightful.
With nothing but his adept strings to back him, Harris' gravelly vocals set the storytelling stage with "Snake Canyon." Presenting a very stripped-down persona, this track paints a haunting portrait much like a ghost story you'd tell around a campfire, very much told in a classic folk ballad style.
A quirky yet cheerful tune, "Little Fruit Fly" is just as it sounds -- a tale "about a bug that likes his hooch," as Harris captioned an Instagram post about the track.
Except for his cover of the iconic old folk song "Long Black Veil," which was popularized by artists like The Band and Johnny Cash, all other tracks were written by Harris himself, who did half the recording and all the mixing for this album. His take on the old tune is slow and lilting, with it's melody largely driven by the mandolin as he narrates the classic eerie tale.
The title track, "Hotdogs and Chardonnay," rounds out the album with a heartwarming story about just enjoying life with the person you love, no frills or fuss. Often, the best things in life are those we tend to take for granted, especially when shared with a loved one. Backed by a soothing stringed melody, Harris' raspy voice will have you dreaming of summer nights full of baseball games and grilled hotdogs.
Dan Harris brings listeners down to earth with his easy listening folk songs, something we could all afford to do in this day and age.
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