Music
Press
Local "powergrass" outfit Cross-eyed Rosie's mandolin-man, , with a new collection of solo recordings, leaving behind his folk compatriots' high-energy bluegrass compositions for quieter, introspective string pluckers about love, dogs and peace. Crockett's lazy-day vocal charm and simple guitar melodies remind one a bit of John Mayer--if Mayer spent time on a kibbutz with Devendra Banhart. Which, come to think of it, ain't that bad of an idea.
-- Kim Colton - Willamette Week, Portland, OR
Anyone who can sit with just a mandolin and make it believable is amazing. Anyone who can really hold our attention for more than ten seconds is truly amazing. We're really excited about Lincoln's music, it's got everything.
-- Kate Power & Steve Einhorn - folk duo and former owners of legendary Portland, Oregon folk epicenter Artichoke Music
- Kate Power & Steve Einhorn
I reviewed dozens of albums this weekend, and I have to say, of everything I listened to, Lincoln Crockett’s material was head and shoulders above the rest. His songwriting, his presentation, his indefinable presence, stood out in stark relief to all the others."
Lisa Lepine - Portland, Oregon music & arts promotions guru
- Lisa Lepine
Lincoln Crockett has a voice like wind in the hills. There's honesty, vulnerability, and an edge of loss in these modern bluegrass-tinged tunes. Excellent mandolin and guitar playing only highlight the spiritual edge of his singing."
Dan Linn - Rosedrop Media Circus
- Rosedrop Media Circus
He’s sh*t hot.
Steve Einhorn - Former Owner of Portland, Oregon’s legendary Artichoke Music
- Steve Einhorn
Audience responses in 2008
"He's the real deal."
"Listening to his music is uplifting."
"I am so hard to impress and I can't get over how good that was."
"I couldn't believe it was just one guitarist."
"Totally amazing. He looked so comfortable doing all that."
"I am sooooo relaxed, I can't believe it."
Audience responses in 2007
"I could listen to that voice all day"
"You are truly talented"
"You blew us away!"
"There's soul behind that music!"
"Writing and composition are exceptional!"
"You give me hope for the future"
"He's all ready to go places"
Audience responses in 2006
"That was awesome”
“Transcendent experience”
“Your songs are moving”
“Your songwriting and mandolin playing is amazing”
“Your voice is like a lazer, its incredible”
“Your music was healing - I felt like every song was sung right to me about what I’m going through”
"My hair is still standing on end!"
- www.lincolncrockett.com
Lincoln Crockett first got attention on local stages in neo-grass favorites Cross-eyed Rosie, then began honing his solo chops. These days he also contributes mandolin to the Josh Cole Band and the quirky, charming Caravan Gogh. But tonight, Crockett releases his first solo full-length, Angels&Devils Alike, perhaps the project closest to his heart. Case in point: Crockett’s delicate picking and angelic voice define gorgeous new songs like “Maybe Souls” and “Nothing Makes Me Feel Good.”
-- Jeff Rosenberg - Willamette Week, Portland, Oregon
There's nothing wrong with old-school, but the real fun comes with those who push envelopes. As with blues, jazz, even country and rock 'n' roll, those who bring something new to the party help propel genres to higher levels.
Such is the case with Lincoln Crockett, a young lion on the Portland bluegrass scene. A regular in Cross-Eyed Rosie, the Josh Cole Band and Caravan Gogh, Crockett has released a new solo project that radiates all that's good about the progressive side of bluegrass. A sterling mandolin picker, guitarist and compelling singer, he has produced a 12-song piece of work that might have traditionalists scratching their heads, but new-grassers will gravitate to it like moths to a porch light.
It will be hard to avoid comparisons to Nickel Creek's Chris Thile, but that might be more happenstance than anything stylistically plagiaristic. Crockett owns the requisite high-and-lonesome voice -- plaintive, achingly bittersweet and clear as creekwater, without a hint of vibrato -- and he's not afraid to use it. Like Thile, he's fearless and playful, but can clearly stand on his own.
He is also a fiery player who slashes his custom twin-point mandolin when called for, but who displays a feather-light touch on the tender tunes. Crockett has a predilection for more complex chording, and he lets that predilection shine throughout this largely original effort.
Though his playing can be a shade on the outside (in a good way), he doesn't stray far enough from his bluegrass roots to do damage to the form. This is bluegrass, but squeezed through the soul of a youngster. You'll hear all his influences -- folk, rock, pop, funk -- but he's found a way to gather them up under the bluegrass mantle and produce something as pleasant as a long summer day.
-- Don Campbell - The Oregonian, Portland, OR
I’m about as bitter & jaded as possible when it comes to listening to new music. I’ve managed a large music venue in Detroit & played in several bands & tonight you guys were fantastic. You have a true knack for storytelling. That was a truly awesome show. The best new music we’ve had in here in a long time.
-Ian Krist – Manager/janitor of Portland, Oregon’s incomparable music venue, Mississippi Studios
- Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR
It takes a fair amount of charm, chops and chutzpa to hold our attention with a minimal musical palette, but mandolin wrangler Lincoln Crockett, from local bluegrass outfit Cross-eyed Rosie, manages to do so on his album Angels & Devils Alike (www.lincolncrockett.com). Armed with just a mandolin, an acoustic guitar and a supple voice, Crockett conducts us on a folksy tour of his mood swings, from glum (“Nothing Makes Me Feel Good”) to glad (“Feels So Good”), and for the most part it’s a bump-free and tuneful trip.
- John Chandler
- www.portlandmonthlymag.com
Discography
Cross-eyed Rosie: Lookin' Up, 2003 Uncle Ostrom Records (assorted AAA/college/indie radio play nationwide)
Lincoln Crockett: Make Love Music, EP 2004 (Soulshine Radio online)
Cross-eyed Rosie: Adjusted, 2006 Uncle Ostrom Records (assorted AAA/college/indie radio play nationwide)
Lincoln Crockett: Angel's & Devil's Alike, release date: September 21, 2007 (heard on KINK 101.9FM Portland)
Photos
Bio
Lincoln Crockett is a healer. A young man with a knack for soothing harmonies and bluegrassy picking, Crockett cut his chops as singer, songwriter and mandolin player for Cross-eyed Rosie, and has helped turn this popular Portland, Oregon five-piece into the Northwest's premier progressive bluegrass band.
In September 2007 this mandolinist/guitarist/musical-alchemist stepped forward from his many group projects, releasing “Angels & Devils Alike,” his first full-length album. The release show at Portland's Mississippi Studios sold out hours before the doors opened. After years spent playing the Northwest and the West Coast as a supporting cast member for Cross-eyed Rosie, The Josh Cole Band and Caravan Gogh, “Angels & Devils Alike” reveals the depth, power and stunning musicality of Lincoln’s own work. Portland's Willamette Week called it "gorgeous" and The Oregonian said it "radiates all that's good about the progressive side of bluegrass."
“Angels & Devils Alike” is sparse and spare in its arrangements, allowing for Lincoln’s inspiring lyrics, delicate vocal harmonies and guitar/mandolin interplay to shine. The flavor of the music is not bluegrass or newgrass, nor is it pop or folk. Lincoln artfully blends texture and style into soothing, healing acoustic music. The end result is a seamless, fluid acoustic sound that grooves as it soothes, with a spiritual flavor specific to no genre.
After giving years of his life to travel, adventure and the study of advanced energy healing, Lincoln dropped it all to write and perform music. Inspired as a child by rock and roll like Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, Lincoln channeled his chops into songwriting and acoustic music. While leading outdoor adventure trips for kids in Colorado, Lincoln developed the sound that now became his signature: deftly picked acoustic songs with near-jazz melodies and flowing, conscious lyrics. A move to Portland, Oregon led to his induction into Cross-eyed Rosie as mandolin player, vocalist and songwriter. Surrounded by accomplished musicians, Lincoln’s rudimentary mandolin playing improved quickly, becoming an essential element of his own music. Cross-eyed Rosie’s busy touring schedule and high-profile bookings schooled Lincoln in the art of performing. With them, Lincoln has played packed shows from Seattle to San Francisco and festivals such as Wintergrass, Telluride, String Summit and River City Bluegrass.
Lincoln’s lofty sense of purpose sets him apart from the crowd, as does his musicianship and the tremendous diversity of his sound. Being an acoustic guitarist and mandolin player recording without a rhythm section, it would be easy to brand Lincoln an Americana artist. One listen to his work and the truth is apparent: Lincoln’s modulating melodies, advanced harmonies and offbeat compositional techniques are much more than folk music. Equally inspired by world music and Nashville crispness, Lincoln’s songs portray a sensibility that would suit either. Within a single song he can conjure Bill Monroe, Béla Fleck, George Harrison and Jack Johnson.
In 2007 Lincoln opened for Phish’s Page McConnell at Portland’s Aladdin Theater, had his song ‘When Will You Come Home’ featured on KINK 101.9FM’s Local Music Spotlight and placed his popular song ‘Sawdust Settler’ on a compilation benefiting the Salmon Nation Project. He spent 2008 in a successful ongoing tour of the Northwestern US, a guest appearance sitting-in with virtuosos Tony Furtado and Scott Law, and yet another spin on KINK. He continues to gig with all of his creative outlets and has introduced two new projects: a duo with Portland singer/songwriter Chris Kokesh, and Lucky Finn, a high-end bluegrass & acoustic trio with Chris and Berkley School of Music drop-out guitarist Nicolas Miranda. He can also be found re-interpreting his songs with Lincoln Crockett & The Rocktet, a fusion four-piece with with members of Portland's Rocktet and featuring virtuoso guitarist Jim McKeon. In 2009 Lincoln and Chris have appeared on Tom May's nationally-syndicated radio show 'River City Folk', and Lincoln is continuing to tour, spreading the word in support of "Angels & Devils Alike".
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