“Some of these songs are the most meaningful and most personal I’ve written. And some are just for fun and entertainment. We’ve honestly tried to have something for everyone. I’m very excited about this album.”
That’s how local singer-songwriter Joseph F. Persinger describes his latest studio album, entitled “The Fall.” It features 10 songs, nine of which are original compositions.
“As a fan, I enjoy many different kinds of music. This album reflects that, including everything from folk and folk rock to bluegrass to traditional country to a Caribbean-type song. Taken altogether, I suppose it would be classified as Americana.”
Another aspect of this CD that varies from the previous five is the participation of several special guest artists.
“There were a number of exciting developments during our work on this project, and one of those was the involvement of master songwriter and folksinger Tim Grimm in the title song. Thinking he might appreciate the subject matter, I sent him a rough cut, and I was elated when he agreed to sing with me on it.”
On the surface, “The Fall” is the story of a magnificent old sycamore tree that comes down in a storm after enduring for more than two centuries. On a deeper level, it’s an allegory for the ongoing assault on American democracy.”
Two of the folk rock songs, “Midnight at the Plaza” and “A Faded Dream,” feature soaring electric guitar solos and keyboard tracks by longtime associate Mike Shelton of Columbus.
Persinger said he was inspired to write “When Midnight Comes Around,” a very traditional country song, last summer when Alan Jackson released a new recording, along with some pointed comments about the state of modern country music.
“After I finished my song, it occurred to me that I should get a real country artist to sing it, and naturally I thought of my friend and fellow songwriter Forrest Turner. His vocals capture that pure country sound as well as anyone I know. And he graciously agreed to do it.”
One very special track on the album is not new.
“As 2023 drew to a close, we realized that 2024 would bring the 30th anniversary of “The Raggedy Man,” which was written in January, 1994.
“To mark that milestone, we decided to do an all-new recording with me doing vocal and rhythm guitar and Brian Leaver playing banjo. But to make it really special, Brian was able to persuade his longtime friend Michael Cleveland to provide mandolin and fiddle tracks.
“Michael is an internationally known musician and Grammy Award winner. He was the youngest person ever inducted into the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame, and he has been named Fiddle Player of the Year numerous times by the International Bluegrass Music Association.
“After doing ‘The Raggedy Man,’ Michael also agreed to play on two other songs.
“Of course, I also wanted to involve my old pickin’ and grinnin’ buddy, Curt Kovener. We’ve been singing and playing music together for 46 years.
“We finally settled on the only tune on the CD that isn’t one of my originals. “Wasted Days” was written by Seymour native John Mellencamp, and he recorded it with fellow rock star Bruce Springsteen on Mellencamp’s “Strictly a One-Eyed Jack” album in 2021.
“To put our own stamp on it— and possibly add a touch of humor— we decided to back up
the vocals with bluegrass instruments, arranged by banjo master Brian Leaver with some of his bluegrass friends, again including Michael Cleveland, who came up with some mind-bending fiddle tracks.
“Brian, who is also our recording engineer, did a great job of putting it all together,” Persinger added.
Other tracks include “In These Hills,” “The Camera Never Lies,” “That Train Don’t Make Me Cry,” and “Winter Winds.”
“The Fall” CD is packaged in a classic jewell case with a four-page booklet providing information about the songs and the musicians. Copies are available at 13th Floor Music in downtown Seymour and at Family Drug in Brownstown.