During the 2000's there was a resurgence in the singer/songwriter genre. I am guessing it was in direct contrast to the mainstream television talent shows which promised to turn contestants into superstars.
Samuel Beam was a professor of film and cinematography at the University of Miami. He was also a closet songwriter, crafting his delicate compositions using intricate fingerpicking and whispered vocals. Today Samuel is a highly regarded singer/songwriter, he is also Iron & Wine.
Samuel was raised in South Carolina on the American bible belt. His father and Grandfather worked the land, his mother was a school teacher. Samuels passions were painting, filmmaking, and songwriting. His profound lyrics and beautifully crafted songs caught the ears of Jonathan Poneman of Sub Pop Records.
Iron & Wines' first album THE CREEK DRANK THE CRADLE (2002) was created at home on a four-track recorder. Samuel intended to add additional instrumentation to his sparse low-fi tracks, but it was his original demos which were released.
OUR ENDLESS NUMBERED DAYS, his second album, was produced in a professional recording studio and utilises the talents of additional musicians who tread lightly throughout recordings, adding percussion, piano, slide guitar, mandolin, and banjo. Samuels sister Sarah adds harmony vocals throughout, to beautiful effect.
OUR ENDLESS NUMBERED DAYS is a collection of wonderfully soothing songs. Listen closely and the ghostly voices whisper tales of love, loss and of life.
SONGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
"On Your Wings"
"Sunset Soon Forgotten"
"Sodom, South Georgia"