Frank Fairfield

Paxton and Fairfield in the NY Times

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[Paxton and Fairfield perform “Poor Little Bennie.”]

Down Home Radio favorites and past guests on the program Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton and Frank Fairfield have recently been featured in the New York Times, following their appearance last Tuesday at the Jalopy Theater.  CLICK HERE to read the NY Times piece by Ben Ratliff.

CLICK HERE for the Down Home Radio interview with Frank Fairfield, and HERE for the interview with Blind Boy Paxton.

Here’s some more footage I shot at the Jalopy show:

Interview with Frank Fairfield

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(photos E. Smith)

On today’s show I speak with Frank Fairfield.  I was knocked out by his new album on the Tompkins Square label and was glad to finally catch up with Frank at his home in Los Angeles, CA when I was out there back in January.  Frank plays banjo, fiddle and guitar in an old time style and is a really great singer.  We talk about his music and his ideas about music in general, Frank plays some tunes live on the show and also plays several favorite 78rpm records from his own collection.  Frank Fairfield has a rare gift for interpreting what he calls “the American repertoire.”  He gives the music an authentic presence that is very exciting.  Frank has embodied the music he plays.  Although his repertoire is from a different landscape then we see around us today he has found a way inside and expresses it with emotional depth and energy that is very enjoyable to see live as well as listen to on the record.


Frank plays at Tommy’s Loft in downtown LA.