Folk, roots, blues man Charlie Baker really hits it out of the park with his epic 15-song record of acoustic sounds both familiar and new.

Strictly Acoustic opens with a cool version of “Baby Please Don’t Go,” which shows Baker’s chops as a fine guitar player right off the bat and takes off from there. Baker, also guitarist from The Muddy Boots Band, mixes it up nicely with diverse selections like “Songs of Plenty” and “City of New Orleans,” both of which feature Baker’s soothing vocals and impeccable delivery. Bluesy with “Muddy River” and “Gambler’s Blues” and then folky on “Seer of Visions” and “Times of Plenty,” this record has it all including a cover of “Love Potion #9,” definitely interesting on the acoustic guitar. My favorite tune on Strictly Acoustic was the protest stomp, “Flag Song,” it had a special element that went above and beyond the already great recordings. Always keeping the listener off guard, the final song, “Middle Aged Dreams,” on the acoustic CD is the only one to feature an electric guitar.

Charlie Baker is an excellent singer-songwriter-entertainer. Check him out at the Green Frog on Nov. 16.

Self Released. For more visit myspace.com/charliebakermusic

An Interview with Charlie Baker. Photo by Haylee Nighbert

An Interview with Charlie Baker. Photo by Haylee Nighbert

An Interview with Charlie Baker. Photo by Haylee Nighbert

An Interview with Charlie Baker. Photo by Haylee Nighbert

Charlie Baker hesitantly re-approached playing music after a 30-year hiatus from it all together. His desire to be a more independent musician brought him back around, even though he had put off playing music due to his abhorrence with the culture surrounding the so-called “music scene.” The egocentrism that surrounded being in a band became understandably tiresome so he put off playing until he could feel good about performing again. “It really ate at me to the point where I got disgusted and quit playing entirely,” Baker explains. The love for his craft pulled him back into booking gigs again, which included a weekly show at the Honey Moon and a recent stint at Archer Ale House in Fairhaven.

Charlie’s sound is a refreshing take on the novelty and irony of classic folk rock, country, and blues. His live show consists of various covers, spanning from Bob Dylan to John Prine. “We kind of have a catch phrase for what I’m doing: stories in song. That’s really what it’s all about. Every song is a story, regardless of genre.”

As for his recently recorded EP, there’s only one song that’s created originally but Baker has future recording plans that will incorporate more of his new material. The EP is a great taste of his live presence and captures his lighthearted style, along with the ability to make fun of himself. That isn’t saying that his material is specifically about him or his experiences. They’re much more a statement of others’ truest and rawest emotions within the lives of everyday people.

Baker first started out playing on college campuses and coffee shops in the late 60′s. In the 80′s he joined up with a couple bands, inevitably leading to his dismissal of the music industry entirely. The pressure to play top 40 and overwhelming ego of his bandmates drove him to the edge and he dropped all public musical ventures. With family support, Charlie got back on the saddle and rediscovered his love for performing. He also plays occasionally in a folk rock venture called James Higgins and the Muddy Boots Band. “I really love the music I play in a band, and strapping on a guitar and being the lead guitarist for the night is really fun,” admitted Charlie, “It feels good to get back to the roots and remember what it’s all about.”

When Charlie started out, the music industry was a far cry from what it is today. Artists are almost entirely self-sufficient now. The days where you were extremely lucky to be able to record in a “real life studio” have ended and booking time with a recording studio is a phone call away. Rather than record companies draining musicians of their last dime, the artist gets paid a majority of the sales directly by selling their wares on iTunes or other online music services. But at the same time, the musician is almost entirely responsible for their own marketing and representation which can be a daunting process for younger musicians. For Baker, it’s an exercise of his return to the music he unconditionally loves.

Playing independently again has been an enlightening experience for Charlie. He’s gained attention from both young and older crowds, but his main goal is bridging the gap between the generations and uniting the audience with his music.

“I feel like my job is to go there for that three minutes, and if I’m really doing my job right the audience is with me for those three minutes,” Baker explains. “It’s all about connecting. That’s all that matters.”

For more information about Charlie Baker, visit www.myspace.com/charliebakermusic.

I liked Charlie Baker so much I saw him twice at the Honey Moon.

It was a random encounter; I heard through a friend that he was really good, and ended up at the wine and mead bar to see him perform. His set-up was elaborate for one guy, alternating between three different guitars and playing a couple classic rock covers as well as some folk songs he came up with.

According to his grandson, Charlie has been playing guitar since he was 11. Before playing the Honey Moon, he took a very long musical hiatus; more than a couple decades had gone by since he last performed.

You know when you know someone is a born musician? That’s the feeling I got watching Charlie play. His sound has such a firm grasp on folk and the raw emotion that goes into playing the genre. It was a seamless transition between man and guitar.

There’s one song in particular that stuck out. It was reminiscent of “Redemption Song” and Bob Dylan, a song about “your dirty little war.” It’s about the desire to detach oneself from a war that has nothing to do with its citizens. It was powerful. I got shivers when he played it.

He’s a great act to watch while enjoying a glass of Honey Moon mead. I can tell you that.