Anthony Crawford

Five is Red (Independent)

By Paul Moffett

Chasing down information about artists these days is fairly straightforward – Google, Allmusic, Answers. In the case of Anthony Crawford, the results are curious – a musician who tours with Neil Young as a guitarist and backup vocalist, he is credited with inspiring the creation of the label (Little Dog Records) that released his first eponymous CD in 1993. His work with Young, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Tanya Tucker, Rosanne Cash and Steve Forbert earned him a contract with Rounder Records and (presumably) the release of Radio Cafe and yet, there isn't much that's current, even though he has been working with Neil Young for some time, playing with Young's tour bands The Shocking Pinks, The International Harvesters and Crazy Horse. I suppose that working in the shadow of a giant makes one hard to see. (In addition, he has a house in Floyds Knobs, so he's a neighboring part-time Hoosier.)

The man has cred and chops galore; vocals which, upon hearing, are plainly suited to back up Young and polished songwriting skills as evidenced on this new ten-song CD. Produced with help from Everest, a band currently touring with Young, and Bo Koster of My Morning Jacket, Five Is Red kicks off with a chunk of guitar blast that misleads: the rest of the song – indeed, the rest of the project – is more singer/songwriter than rock and roll; more vocalist than instrumentalist. From there on, the tunes flow together, with Crawford's voice the glue and the paint, holding it all together.

In short, a pro – not well-known but nonetheless a real pro.

The CD is available at ear x-tacy and through his website at http://www.anthonycrawford.com