Frank Christian

Biography

Greenwich Village-based Frank Christian is one of contemporary folk music's virtuosic guitar players. His heartfelt melodies have strengthened performances and/or recordings by Nanci Griffith, Christine Lavin, Suzanne Vega, John Gorka, Dave Van Ronk and the Smithereens. Christian is equally skilled as a songwriter and vocalist. His tune "Three Flights Up" was a highlight of Nanci Griffith's Grammy award-winning album Other Voices, Other Rooms.

Christian began honing his guitar playing talents at the age of 13, when he took lessons from jazz guitarist Roosevelt Span. Moving to Greenwich Village to study literature and music at New York University, he quickly became involved with the burgeoning acoustic music scene.

Although 13 years separated Christian's 1982 debut solo album, Where Were You Last Night, and his second solo effort, From My Hands (which featured guest contributions by Nanci Griffith, Lee Saterfield and Garth Hudson of the Band), Christian has maintained a high level of quality. Fans of Christian's music did not have to wait as long for another follow-up recording. Mr. So and So, which combines deeply personal renditions of songs by Blind Willie McTell, Gordon Lightfoot, Jacques Brel and Mance Lipscomb with seven original tunes, was released in 1997. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide