So Dark You See is the eleventh studio album by folk singer-songwriter John Gorka, released on October 13, 2009. The album offers eight new examples of Gorka's own lyrical songwriting, two instrumental tracks, poetry of Robert Burns and William Stafford performed and set to music by Gorka, covers of songs by fellow folk musicians, Utah Phillips and Michael Smith, and Gorka's take on the blues standard, "Trouble in Mind".
History This was Gorka's eleventh studio album release in a career that has spanned over two decades. The album held the top position on the Folk Radio airplay chart for the months of September and October 2009.Richard Gillmann, Top Folk Albums, Songs, Artists and Labels of October 2009, Top Folk Albums, Songs, Artists and Labels of November 2009, compiled from playlists submitted to Folk DJ-L Folk Alley named "Ignorance & Privilege" as No. 6 on their list of The Top 10 Folk Songs of 2009.Jim Blum, The Top 10 Folk Songs Of 2009, From Folk Alley, NPR, December 10, 2009
Reception and commentary Critical response was positive.
Track listing
Personnel Musicians John Gorka — vocals, fretless banjo, guitar, harmonium, keyboards and percussion Marc Anderson — percussion Dan Chouinard – accordion Dick Freymuth – electric guitar Rob Genadek – Percussion Eliza Gilkyson — vocals Dean Magraw — electric and acoustic guitars Michael Manring — fretless bass Peter Ostroushko — fiddle and mandolin Joel Sayles – vocals, upright bass Enrique Toussaint – electric bass Jeff Victor – keyboards
Production Produced by Rob Genadek and John Gorka Engineering by Rob Genadek and John Gorka at The Brewhouse in Minneapolis, MN Lucy Kaplansky recorded by Mark Dann in New York City
Artwork Front cover painting, "Clairmont near Ascutney" by Tom Pirozzoli Back cover photography by Jos Van Vliet Art direction and design by Jon Reischl
Chart performance Chart (2009) Peakposition Folk Radio Top Albums 1 Americana Radio AlbumsArchive Playlist for week of Monday, December 07, 2009, Americana Music Association 44
References
External links So Dark You See page at Red House Records So Dark You See at John Gorka Video Site (fan page)