Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. We are part of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, located in Washington, D.C. 

We are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. We believe that musical and cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of life throughout the world. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials we seek to strengthen people's engagement with their own cultural heritage and to enhance their awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage of others.

The Smithsonian may archive materials posted on this website pursuant to its document retention policies. By posting content, you are giving the Smithsonian and those authorized by the Smithsonian permission to use or modify it for any educational, promotional, or other standard museum purpose, in media of all kinds whether now known or later developed. For more on the Smithsonian's terms of use and privacy policies visit: http://www.si.edu/termsofuse 

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“If you’re anything like me then you probably think there aren’t enough cats carrying on the Paul Westerberg torch. If that be the case, then look no further than my man Jim Salinger.” - Captains Dead


Pennsylvania native Jim Salinger has been rocking his L.A. home base for years, with a growing list of TV & Film song placements. But we haven’t heard much from him in the last decade since 2008’s HEYOKA. Love, marriage, births, deaths, near-death experiences and awakenings in Laurel Canyon. And now, finally a new release, Starry Verse.

To boil it down for the blogosphere, this collection is like the union of Joseph Campbell’s ecstatic soul with Wilco’s eclectic sound, mastered in a crystal city vortex underneath Mt. Shasta. In plain speak, it's righteous cosmic folk rock you’ll be Spotify-ing during your very real commute.

Yes, Starry Verse has a cosmic perspective that will resonate with listeners who have an affinity for the infinite. For those more pragmatic when it comes to their pop songs, the melodic songcraft here is remarkably crisp. And there's a pair of break-up tunes in the sequence (See Your Dreams, Let Me Know) that would not sound out of place on Salinger's 2004 Americana debut, Down By Fire.

Jim partnered with Echo Park producer John Would (Fiona Apple, Graham Parker) to thoughtfully mix cello,12-string, steel guitar and female harmonies. This adds a fresh dimension to Salinger's catalog, elevating his core vocals and guitar. An essential part of the chemistry here is the return of HEYOKA’s ace studio drummer Amy Wood.

Starry Verse’s centerpiece is “Midwest Heart, Space Age Mind”. It’s a cinematic dreamscape written during a Peter Case songwriting workshop. Jim recalls "I wrote this one to be intentionally mysterious as a counterpoint to Peter’s instruction for the class to be clear in their narratives.” Jim laughs, ”When I finished playing it, he nodded and admitted that sometimes songs work even if you don’t know what they really mean.” 

What does it really mean? Fundamentally, there’s a philosophical inquiry into the relationship between heaven, earth and everyone of us. When Jim sings “All the stars in the sky are burning but they never really die. They’ll be the sparkle in your eye when you see why we need darkness” on “Why We Need Darkness” it’s both a starry verse, and a knowing declaration. A friendly reminder that you are alive, connected, and everything is going to be alright forever. Thanks, Jim.

Album cover art “Postcard from New Iceland” was created by modern vintage collage artist, Eugenia Loli: http://eugenialoli.tumblr.com/

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