Note to Sam's friends and fans: This is the official Myspace of Sam Baker. It is maintained by Sam's management, but Sam does check in from time to time.
"Pretty World is what great songwriting is all about." Gurf Morlix
Texas songwriter Sam Baker is not that well known even in his adopted hometown of Austin. However, since the 2004 release of his debut mercy, word of Baker's songs have slowly, but surely spun its way around the world. On August 7, Baker returns with the second part of the story, the self released pretty world. Co-produced by fellow Texan and songwriter Walt Wilkins, the new songs reflect a life lived well and nearly lost.
Austin producer/songwriter Gurf Morlix said of mercy “It's the best writing I've come across since Mary Gauthier.” The UK's Maverick Magazine awarded mercy five stars and writers that have discovered this raw talent often compare him to fellow Texans Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark.
A lot can happen in a few years and Baker can tell you that a lot can happen in seconds. Back in 1986, he was traveling in a train through Peru, when the car he was in was blown apart by a terrorist bomb, killing fellow passengers and leaving him clinging to life. Deafened and gravely injured, Baker spent the better part of the next decade working on both a physical and spiritual recovery. It was through storytelling and the art of songwriting that Baker turned to make sense of a sometimes senseless world.
Baker's songs are pictures sketched in short, spare lines and lay bare the honest truths and simple details of life. pretty world celebrates the moments large and small that frame our lives.
Before the sun
Before the heat
Before we untangle
From our sheets
Before this summer day unfurls
p r e t t y w o r l d
Coming in mid 2009: the final album in Sam's trilogy, Cotton.
hey sam!! hows things with you? was thinking about whern we played togather the other day..brought a smile to my face..lovely memory! as for me, i have just set up my own record label and learning a lot about the ol' busines..hard work ey. would love to see you again.. all the best to you.. brooke :)
I noticed earlier tonight that there're two "new" radio shows posted on your website and just finished listening to the Amsterdam one. It's wonderful! (I'm curious as to what happened after they played Guy Clark's "Magdalene".... Hope we are not missing something very interesting!)
Um...big warm hugs to you, beautiful Sam Baker. The article is very moving.and you could never be invisible. Ever. I remember eating the pizza with you in Boston on NYE..and talking about how we are all survivors, but that some people's scars are more visible...I am so grateful for the beauty you bring from what you have seen. Thank you. Much love from Virginia..your friend..janet emma p.s. i'm in the studio finally..co-producing our next record..i do hope to see you in OK this year...if i can steal away...steal away..
The Cactus with you and Gurf was great as always! Your new tunes are delightfully picturesque. You always say so much with such few choice words -- the mark of a great songwriter! Always an enlightening pleasure.
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