I've only written a dozen or so reviews for Rambles, but this is the third one I've done on Charlie Zahm. In addition, I've seen him perform live at least six times. OK, I'm in somewhat of a rut, but you know what? I enjoy this rut so I'm going to stay here for a while. He sings the kind of songs I like and I never tire of hearing his rich, baritone voice and his dazzling guitar work.

Until now, I've associated Zahm with Scottish and Irish music with a smattering of maritime songs thrown in. Two of his more recent CDs, Americana and Songs for When the Sun Goes Down, move in a different direction. I was introduced to this new endeavor at a recent concert at Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Pa. Gone was his traditional kilt; he was now wearing the garb of a colonial gentleman. His repertoire for the evening was mainly music from the American Colonial years through the Civil War era. Considering the cultural diversity of the population of that period, the music is a rich mine of tunes and Zahm has picked some of the best.

There's something unique about Zahm's live one-man performances. From the moment he walks on stage, it's obvious he's completely at ease and he puts the audience at ease immediately. His gentle banter and description of the next number puts everyone in the mood for whatever he is doing and he crams a lot of music into his shows. He generally accompanies himself on a guitar and his blending of instrument and voice is worth hearing.

Of these two CDs, Americana is, in my opinion, the more interesting, both because of the types of songs and the guest musicians who provide a greater diversity in sound. Songs for When the Sun Goes Down, on the other hand, are mainly songs from America's southwest. It's purely a matter of taste; both are excellent listening. The self-produced CDs were released in 2002.

Guest musicians on Americana include fiddler Tad Marks, Steve Hobson on acoustic and steel guitars, Jim Allison on harmonica, Will Patton on mandolin and Marc Moss on bass, percussion and guitar. In addition to vocals, Zahm joins in with guitar, 5-string banjo and pennywhistle.

Americana includes such early American songs as "The Good Old Colony Days," "Blacksmith of Brandywine" and "Blow Ye Winds in the Morning," which is about the difficult life of a whaler. Zahm then offers a moving rendition of the beautiful spiritual "Poor Wayfaring Stranger."

Midway through the recording, the mood swings into the Civil War era with songs like "All Quiet Along the Potomac Tonight," "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" and "Roll, Alabama, Roll." If there's any breath left in you, the fiddling and banjo picking in "Cumberland Gap" is sure to get your toes tapping. Also included are the quintessential anthems "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Dixie."

Songs for When the Sun Goes Down includes such western standards as "Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie," "They Call the Wind Maria," "Streets of Laredo" and "Down in the Valley." I think my favorite song is "Grandfather's Clock." Zahm evokes memories from my childhood with this song, written just after the Civil War, about a clock that beat faithfully for 90 years but "stopped short" when the old man died. This CD was recorded live at a house concert in New Jersey in October 2002.

Whether you listen to Charlie Zahm in person or electronically, you won't be disappointed. As my wife says, "He sure has a pleasant voice."

- Rambles
written by Bill Knapp
published 15 March 2003

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