An Article by Brenda Germany
Photos by Stephen Anderson
“It’s my dream job and I get to do it…making a living by playing my songs. It’s like, what else could you ask for?” – Edward David Anderson
Edward David Anderson, or EDA as his fans refer to him, is a storyteller of exceptional insight and ability. His gentle smile and approachable demeanor entice the listener to join in the journeys he unfolds of multi-layered melodies combining guitar, banjo and harmonica with lyrics that speak sincerely of the human condition in all its wonders, joys and sometimes misfortune. EDA began his current musical incarnation as a solo performer in 2011 following the dissolution of “Backyard Tire Fire”, the much venerated rock and roll band for which he was the front man, songwriter and guitarist more than 10 years; recording over 100 songs and performing 200 shows yearly. Now, Anderson, his wife and their dog have “the best of both worlds”; the enviable lifestyle of spending their summers together in the cooler Midwest and their winters on Alabama’s warm Gulf Coast. From these two home bases, Anderson tours and performs extensively, while writing what he describes as Black Dirt Music, “Songs about people and places, about life and love and loss. It’s roots music cultivated in the fertile soil of the Midwest.”
Interfusing the influences of his two homes, Illinois’ rich, black dirt and Alabama’s lush, sandy soil, Anderson wrote and with his long-time friend, Steve Berlin of “Los Lobos”, produced a 10-track debut solo album, “Lies & Wishes” (2014), followed by the nine track collection “Lower Alabama: The Loxley Sessions” (2015) which was produced by the highly-regarded musician/songwriter Anthony Crawford (Sugarcane Jane, Neil Young & the International Harvesters, Neil Young & the Shocking Pinks) at his Admiral Bean Studio in coastal Alabama and most recently “Chasing Butterflies” (2018), produced by Grammy Award winner Jimmy Nutt (Steel Drivers) at his NuttHouse Recording Studio in the Shoals area of Alabama. Anderson summed up this point in his musical journey as “I feel like every experience, every mile, every interaction, every tune, sort of got me to where I am at this moment. Halfway through my life, it’s an honest look in the mirror.”
Edward David Anderson, Stan Foster & Wynter Baynes at Vinyl Music Hall
The Vinyl Music Hall stands resolutely at the corner of Palafox and East Garden Streets in Pensacola, FL, wrapped appealingly in classic neon embellishments and marquees reminiscent of the grand music theatres from a bygone decade. On a fog shrouded night, Edward David Anderson and his expressly selected band of local favorites, Stan Foster (bass) and Wynter Baynes (drums), took the stage at “The Vinyl” to open for the multi Grammy Award winning and globally successful band, “Los Lobos”. Among the songs of his set EDA and his band performed the satirical story of one’s life being written on their skin “Bad Tattoos”, the wistful wish for a dog’s simple life in “Dog Days”, “The best part of me is me and you,” written to his wife in “The Best Part” and more tracks from his latest release, “Chasing Butterflies”, to an enthusiastic, ever-growing crowd that ultimately filled the extensive ground floor and balcony of “The Vinyl”. At the close of his set, revealing his rock and roll infused “Backyard Tire Fire” guitar roots, Anderson escalated the excitement of the audience in preparation for “Los Lobos’ ” set of exuberant, Tex-Mex, rock, “soundtrack of the barrio” music.
The eagerly anticipated “Los Lobos” began their show with tunes of traditional Spanish and Mexican music to the delight of a dancing, clapping-to-the-beat crowd followed by a myriad of their most requested and enduring over 40 years of hits for more than an hour of music that elicited joyous recognition from the audience throughout their set, which seemed to end all too soon. Entreated back to the stage by continual applause and shouts for more, “Los Lobos” returned, presenting two additional songs, including “La Bamba”, to their fans who responded ecstatically, filling the The Vinyl with a boundless energy that perpetuated through the end of the evening. It was evident that “Los Lobos” is still playing with the same raw intensity as they had when they began in that garage in 1973.
Los Lobos at Vinyl Music Hall
Having completed an outstanding 2018/2019 winter tour of the Gulf Coast, Edward David Anderson, including his band, “Black Dirt Revival”, may be seen at venues in the Midwest and the surrounding area throughout the summer. Tour dates and information are available on his website and Facebook page.
Photos:
Click Here
for photos of Edward David Anderson by Stephen Anderson.
Click Here
for photos of Los Lobos by
Stephen Anderson.
Links:
Click Here for Edward David Anderson’s official website.
Click Here to follow Edward David Anderson on Facebook.
Click Here for Los Lobos’ official website.
Click Here to follow Los Lobos on Facebook.
References:
1) www.edwarddavidanderson.com
2) www.loslobos.org/site/media.shtml, press kit – “Gates of Gold Bio”, 02/01/2016
3) www.jambase.com/band/edward-david-anderson
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