Tompkins Square

“A young Californian who sings and plays as someone who’s crawled out of the Virginia mountains carrying familiar songs that in his hands sound forgotten: broken lines, a dissonant drone, the fiddle or the banjo all percussion, every rising moment louder than the one before it.”  - Greil Marcus

California-based fiddle, guitar, and banjo player, and ardent 78 collector Frank Fairfield has made his living as a musician, often found playing on the streets of Los Angeles. Handpicked by Fleet Foxes to open their U.S. tour last year, Frank released a 7” on Tompkins Square and recorded his self-titled debut album.

His music has won over tough critics and purists like Grammy winning producer Chris King (Charley Patton, People Take Warning box set), Phil Alexander (Mojo) and Greil Marcus, to name a few.

"I struggle to recall any recent comps that glide together as seamlessly as these Tompkins Square projects, and "Volume Three" is no exception. Contemplative, intricate, a simple but ornate school of folk that hangs effortlessly between the ancient and the avant-garde - I could listen to this stuff all day."
- John Mulvey, UNCUT

Imaginational Anthem Vol. 3 is the third in a series of compilations devoted to acoustic guitar mavericks past and present. 

As with Volumes 1 & 2, the new album features extraordinary young talents such as Cian Nugent (Ireland), Ben Reynolds (UK), and Shawn David McMillen (Austin, TX) alongside unsung heroes from decades past, such as banjo master George Stavis, who recorded an album for Vanguard in the 60's; Richard Crandell, whose rare private press works will hopefully now be brought to light; and Mark Fosson, whose lost 1977 Takoma album was recently issued.

Released in October 2005, Imaginational Anthem received 4 stars from Uncut (Entrancing), All Music Guide (Masterful) and Mojo (Groundbreaking). Rolling Stone's David Fricke wrote, The history and beauty here speaks for themselves, at the perfect volume. Jon Pareles wrote in The New York Times, Old and new, the music meditates on blues, Appalachian music, raga and ragtime, and traditions are transfigured by a deep love for the sonority of the acoustic guitar.

Released in June 2006, Imaginational Anthem Volume 2 opened with the gorgeous River of Heaven by Tompkins Square recording artist James Blackshaw, and featured unreleased recordings by legends such as Michael Chapman, Fred Gerlach, Billy Faier, Peter Lang, and Robbie Basho. The album was supported by a national Arthur Magazine-sponsored U.S. tour with Blackshaw, Sharron Kraus and Sean Smith. Pitchfork wrote, (IA2) pairs some of the leading lights of the current avant-folk subculture with unearthed vintage folk rarities.

"Solo acoustic guitar music to get excited about " - Variety

1. Richard Crandell - Zocalo
2. Ben Reynolds - Here Toucheth Blues
3. Greg Davis - Sleep Architecture"
4. Nathan Salsburg - Bold Ruler's Joys
5. Steffen Basho-Junghans - Blue Mountain Raga II
6. Cian Nugent - When the Snow Melts And Floats Downstream
7. Matt Baldwin - Sean Cycle
8. Mark Fosson - Another Fine Day
9. George Stavis - Goblins
10. R. Keenan Lawler - High Tower Bells For Loren Connors
11. Shawn David McMillen - Texarkana 1971