Two Sides of Charlie Parr | Acoustic Guitar Sessions

In this AG Session, Charlie Parr performs a pair of tunes that help define the underground folk-blues artist’s approach to his music. On the first, “Boombox,” we get Parr’s signature foot-stomping fingerpicking and masterfully played slide, and on “Pale Fire” he ventures beyond the mortal realm (and beyond first position, with a capo at the seventh fret) with a hypnotic, poetic meditation on life and death and reincarnation. Both songs appear on Parr’s latest album, Little Sun, his eighteenth. The tunes sound different here than on the record; the session features no backing band, just Charlie and his “Parr Mule” from Mule Resophonics, a signature all-mahogany tricone with a roasted maple neck and ebony fingerboard.

“Boombox,” feels like an altruistic interpretation of a ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ flag; it’s not that Parr wants to be left alone, but rather wants us to appreciate our individuality and not try and drag each other down. “I see so many people picking on other people for doing something that doesn’t hurt anyone. The way they dress, or the way they dance. I grew up in a small town, and people could be hard on each other.” “Boombox” paints a funny picture, but the simple message at its core feels increasingly profound.

When asked if he can explain what the deceptively simple “Pale Fire” is about, Parr hesitates: “Yeah… well, no. It started out about aliens, and I split it into two different songs because it was dumb.” But instead of fully scrapping the song, he salvaged what he could. “Some of the words were good, some of them were really dumb,” he says, “so I just started taking it apart, because songs are like bike parts in a shed, you can mix and match and create something new.”

But like all good art, Parr’s songs are perhaps best experienced without explanation; they’re stories you can hear—and feel—and find your own meaning in. You’ll find both the comic and the cosmic.

[johnnyaztec]

I was driving my school bus in St. Paul. Loaded with middle school kids. Saw Parr walking down the street and announced on my bus p.a., "Attention students: we are now passing by the legendary Charlie Parr" So grateful to live in the time and vicinity of Charlie Parr

[jonathanfinks]

How have I never heard of him. He's phenomenal. So soulful it's almost criminal.

[scottkidwellmusic]

It doesn't get much better than Charlie Parr.
He's a national treasure

[GreyhoundHank]

From Russia with love to American root music. Thank you Charlie, keep on rocking!

[jonwoode]

Great video and playing Charlie, I still love your Miner's Lament. Thanks for posting this.

[robertwynkoop]

true genius; in the simplicity lies a deep complexity. Looking forward to listening to you at Blue Ox next week Charlie... see you then!

[johnwashburn]

You are a good man, Charlie Parr!
I totally understand what he is saying about people...and about the evolution of a song. I love the Mule. I hope Matt makes more. I'd risk a squabble with my wife over one of these!
Thanks to all.

[mikefullerton]

Makes me think of my awkward dancing style. Love the tune and bought it today. I would love a tab but given I hear you are self taught and don’t know the chord names I suppose this is just a wish. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada.

[GregAlan-mm]

Any chance Mule is going to make these guitars for the public any time soon?
Would love to have one...

[peterpearce]

I would like to know why when i play with Charlies song HOBO my D with the capo on the second fret does not sound the same. My guitar is tuned to 440hz can someone please help

[gregholmberg]

Note to the recording engineer: the low bass thumping is extremely distracting. Really annoying.