From Amazon.com
"These stories aren't that far from where I'm now standing," the 46-year-old singer-songwriter reflects in the liner notes to this collection of early outtakes. He's right. Forbert's first four albums established him as much more than a Dylan or Springsteen imitator: His blend of southern romanticism and bittersweet innocence made for an idiosyncratic folk-rock style that he's never really abandoned. These once-shelved tracks, recorded between 1979 and 1981, still sound fresh, and though most of the arrangements feature ace players (notably members of the Skeletons), Forbert's gently wry voice and harmonica are always front and center. Most importantly, the songs have that uniquely Forbertesque spirit. "Get That Vagabond Feeling" is as sweet and evocative as "Romeo's Tune," Forbert's biggest hit, while "House of Cards," with the lines "We're all left with a whole lot of truth," bids an aching, wise farewell to Elvis. Like a scrapbook of Polaroids and poems,
Young, Guitar Days offers a touching portrait of the artist as a young dreamer, a worthy collection of images, stories, and melodies in its own right.
--Roy Kasten