Robert Landis Frank (February 26, 1944 – July 18, 2019) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and composer. His debut self-titled record was issued on

Vanguard Records Vanguard Recording Society is an American record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York City. It was a primarily classical label at its peak in the 1950s and 1960s, but also has a catalogue of recordings by a n ...

in 1972 to critical acclaim and is a collectors itemRuhlmann, William and McGregor, Don Bob Frank Biography ''All Music Guide''. that was reissued on Light in the Attic in 2014. He co-wrote, recorded and toured with Mississippi/Memphis singer-songwriter John Murry, shared a stage with Gus Cannon, Jimmy Driftwood, Lightning Hopkins, Tim Buckley and Townes Van Zandt, and was a paid songwriter for Tree Publishing. He lived in El Sobrante, California. Frank's 20th century version of the late Middle English classic, "A Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode" (Child Ballad #117), released on Bowstring Records in 2001, received rave reviews from English professors, music critics, historians, actors, college professors, school teachers and Oxford dons.

Critical reception

Though not widely known, Frank's songs have earned wide critical acclaim.

Jim Dickinson James Luther Dickinson (November 15, 1941 – August 15, 2009) was an American record producer, pianist, and singer who fronted, among others, the band Mud Boy and the Neutrons, based in Memphis, Tennessee. Biography Dickinson was born in Lit ...

, a producer for Big Star and a Memphis music legend, called Frank "the greatest songwriter you never heard." In ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...

'', Senior Editor David Fricke called Frank's debut "beautifully stark" and compared him to Warren Zevon. Frank's collaboration with singer-songwriter John Murry on 2006 LP ''World Without End'' was praised in the ''

Village Voice ''The Village Voice'' is an American news and culture paper, known for being the country's first alternative newsweekly. Founded in 1955 by Dan Wolf, Ed Fancher, John Wilcock, and Norman Mailer, the ''Voice'' began as a platform for the creat ...

'', ''Uncut'', ''Rolling Stone'', ''The Irish Times'' and ''The Independent'' UK. His songs have been recorded by

, Chris LeDoux, Gary McMahan, and others.Fink, Matt Free Beer Tomorrow Review ''All Music Guide''.

Discography

Albums

* ''Bob Frank'' (Vanguard Records, 1972) * ''A Little Gest of Robin Hood'' (Bowstring Records, 2001) * ''Keep On Burning'' (Bowstring Records, 2002) * ''Pledge of Allegiance'' (Bowstring Records, 2004) * ''Ride the Restless Wind'' (Bowstring Records, 2005) * ''World Without End'' (Bowstring Records, 2006; Evangeline – US, Decor – UK, 2007) * ''The Gunplay EP'' (Evangeline – US, Decor – UK, 2007) * ''Red Neck, Blue Collar'' (Memphis International, 2008) * ''Brinkley, Arkansas, and Other Assorted Love Songs'' (Evangeline, 2009) * ''The Scenic Route'' (Bowstring Records, 2010) * ''Twilight in Tolleson'' (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2016) * ''By the Light of the Lamp'' (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2017) * ''Squeeze It Easy'' (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2017) * ''Dancing in Dallas'' (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2018)

References

External links

Bob Frank's Official Site
* Bob Frank at Allmusic*
Bob Frank & John Murry Official Site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Frank, Bob 1944 births 2019 deaths American male singer-songwriters Country blues singers American alternative country singers American folk singers Songster musicians Singers from Memphis, Tennessee American country singer-songwriters People from El Sobrante, Contra Costa County, California Country musicians from Tennessee Singer-songwriters from Tennessee Singer-songwriters from California