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Music Reviews: Eric Andersen's 'The Writer Series' and 'Woodstock Under the Stars,' Plus Al Stewart and Kelly Finnigan
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Jeff Burger, BLOGCRITICS.ORG
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Folksinger Eric Andersen is probably still best known as the 1960s folk revivalist who penned such classic compositions as "Violets of Dawn," "Thirsty Boots," and "Close the Door Lightly." Those are all great songs, but Anderson has arguably produced his most important work in subsequent decades, during which time his recorded output has been wide-ranging and adventurous.
He has dueted with Lou Reed and Phoebe Snow, collaborated with the legendary Texas songwriter Townes Van Zandt, and recorded with Delta blues musicians. He has also released two trio albums with the Band's Rick Danko and Norway-based Jonas Fjeld and issued a collection of covers of songs by other luminaries from the late 1960s folk movement. He has contributed to Jack Kerouac and Phil Ochs tribute albums and written and recorded a song about President Kennedy's assassination ("Beat Avenue") that at 26 minutes is far longer than Bob Dylan's recent epic on the subject. Last but not least, he has explored the intricacies of sensual romantic relationships, including on a pair of terrific 1970s albums,