The essential warmth of Frederick Squire’s guitar chords and of his vocal chords is almost overwhelming. If you have a dog and your dog looks warily out the window, hearing thunder and looking for thunderclouds, go comfort your four-legged friend (same goes for the two-legged). This is an album of comfort, giving and receiving. From the very first offering, “What’s that over there a dead rainbow?,” these plainchant tunes move the listener, from the remorseful “pretty bird” to the gorgeous remembrance “as long as one sun could shine.” Squire accompanies his reflective, romantic and smart songs with piano, acoustic/electric guitar, accordion, fiddle and occasional rhythmic backing. “The Future of Tradition,” a letter between Frankie and Albert, is about as sadly beautiful as it gets.
This article appears in Nov 25 – Dec 1, 2010.