Bob Frey’s “Nothing Hid”- Heartfelt, Upbeat and Folkie as You Wanna

Listening to Bob Frey’s “Nothing Hid” produces the opposite reaction that Greil Marcus had to Dylan’s “New Morning” when he originally reviewed it in Rolling Stone. Marcus had said, “What is this shit?” In contrast, an appropriate response to “Nothing Hid” is: This is some good shit.

Although he steadfastly considers himself an independent folkie, on this outing‒ his third self-released CD‒ he brings in full combos and arrangements for each song. The soloing instrument alternates between crafty fiddle or searing guitar, and some fine talent is showcased, but it’s Mr. Frey’s words that demonstrate the strength of the songs. He has been carrying some weight and each song is an unburdening. He chronicles the Sisyphean struggles against time, mortality, and loss using desperate weapons of love and hope. The people he sings about are real, and the melodies and musicianship more real. Mr. Frey makes pain a party time: the songs are buoyed by abundant hooks and jaunty tempos that should make a folkie blush.

If it sounds like Mr. Frey is shouting to reject shadows and proclaim full transparency, it’s because he is. For a decade now he’s lived a few steps from stardom‒ of infamy some may say‒ as the brother of James Frey, the author. This is Bob’s coming out album and he’s not keeping anything hid. Mr. Frey is based in Minneapolis, MN.

Available at http://bobfreymusic.bandcamp.com/, Amazon, iTunes and from the artist at shows.