New York, NY (Top40 Charts) "For more than 30 years, Chaim has been my closest musical cohort and confidant, whether on the road, in the recording studio, or just kibbitzing from the sidelines. He's been a tough but fair and perceptive critic of my work, and in a way I consider him my musical conscience." - Loudon Wainwright III
"He may be a late bloomer, but his is a long-lasting bloom. Many of the songs on Chaim's brilliant new recording will be familiar to people who have heard the boy/man over the years, singing with either the Mountain City Four, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, or Loudon Wainwright III. In fact, they seemed so familiar to this listener I wondered whether Tannenbaum had been captured by aliens and was now singing these in some other time and space. Congratulations to NY producer Dick Connette for coaxing 'the wild Tannenbaum' into a studio before it was too late!" - Anna McGarrigle
"To say that I am a fan of Chaim Tannenbaum's would be to understate grossly. He is one of the true greats." - Teddy Thompson
For over five decades, Chaim Tannenbaum has quietly become a folk music legend, one who has happily devoted his time, talent, wisdom, and support to the musical careers of others. A multi-instrumentalist who has honed his craft since childhood, he's been a long-time collaborator of many, most notably the extended Wainwright-McGarrigle clan, dating back to the mid-1960's. He's appeared on over 20 albums in one form or another, as a player or producer, yet never considered having a music career himself despite the constant urging of friends, family, and fans. That is, until now. At age 68, Tannenbaum will release his long-awaited self-titled debut album on May 27th through StorySound Records. Today, Acoustic Guitar Magazine premiered his rendition of the traditional classic "Coal Man Blues."
LISTEN: Chaim Tannenbaum - "Coal Man Blues" on Acoustic Guitar Magazine:
https://smarturl.it/hzvbum
Tannenbaum was born in Montreal in 1947. At age 13, he began learning the banjo, guitar, mandolin, and harmonica. In high school, he started mingling with other local like-minded folkniks, and formed life-long friendships with Kate and Anna McGarrigle, joining their group The Mountain City Four in the mid-60's. After university, they went their separate ways: Kate and Anna to become professional musicians and Chaim to pursue a doctorate in Philosophy. When Kate and Anna got a record contract, they called on the old Mountain City gang to pitch in. So began Chaim's lifetime of touring and recording with the McGarrigles in between his teaching assignments.
While he was in graduate school in London, Chaim first met Loudon Wainwright III, then married to Kate. The two had split (temporarily) and Loudon, trying to reconnect with Kate who was staying at Tannenbaum's flat, had arrived at Chaim's door, expecting a punch in the nose. Instead, they became fast friends and the three of them even used to busk together on Portobello Road. Over the years, Chaim has regularly performed and recorded with Wainwright, even occasionally producing.
Tannenbaum currently resides in New York City, having retired after almost 35 years of teaching Philosophy at Dawson College in Montreal. He came close to putting out his debut in the 1990's through Hannibal Records, but according to founder/legendary producer Joe Boyd, the project "ran afoul of an ever-narrowing corporate brief that was clipping my A&R wings." That, and a prevailing reluctance to put himself forward, have delayed the release of Tannenbaum's first album until now. "I have never ceased pining for the Chaim Tannenbaum record that might have been in the 1990's," stated Boyd. "So God bless StorySound Records. The purchasers of this recording are in for a treat."
Track List:
01) Farther Along
02) Ain't No More Cane On The Brazos
03) Coal Man Blues
04) Moonshiner
05) Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit
06) Mama's
Angel Child
07) London Longing For Home
08) Business Girls
09) Brooklyn 1955
10) Paper Moon
11) (Talk To Me Of) Mendocino
12) Belfast Louis Falls in Love
13) Paddy Doyle
