Born and raised in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, Malcolm Holcombe is being recognized by the contemporary U.S and European folk/americana community as a performer of national stature, and an uncommonly unique guitarist/vocalist about whom Rolling Stone magazine says: "Haunted country, acoustic blues and rugged folk all meet [here]..."
Malcolm's 2006 CD release, Not Forgotten, once again lifts Holcombe's music to another dimension. With a small, tight combo of experienced players, including bassist Bill Reynolds (Donna the Buffalo), and dobro player Jared Tyler (David Wilcox) this CD reveals a meeting ground where traditional and contemporary folk, rock and blues all converge. Taken together the final result is a deep drawing from the resonant well of our musical heritage, and its fusion, through Holcombe's inimitable style, should not be missed.
Not Forgotten was produced by Malcolm Holcombe and Aaron Price at Collapseable Studios in Asheville, NC; mastered by 2005/2006 Grammy award winner Ray Kennedy (Steve Earle, Delbert McClinton) at Zen Masters Studios in Nashville, TN.
Malcolm also recorded the song "The Old Woman Taught Wisdom" for the upcoming Sony/Emergent release "Song Of America". Sponsored by National History Day, produced by Ed Pettersen and David Macias, the project is the history of the U.S. in song from 1620 to the present. It will be distributed in public schools across the country, as well as retail sale, with all profits going to music education. The CD's are slated for release in 2006, with a concert and documentary on PBS in 2007.
His 2005 CD release, I Never Heard You Knockin' was called "Holcombe at his best" by No Depression magazine and earned four stars in Performing Songwriter and American Songwriter. The Wall Street Journal's Jim Fusilli calls the CD "... a stunning aural equivalent of found art", and goes on to name it one of the best discs of 2005, as does Jim Farber in The New York Daily News.
Holcombe's album "A Hundred Lies"(Hip-O/Universal) received a four star review in Rolling Stone by music editor David Fricke, and received accolades from USA Today, No Depression, and Dirty Linen as well as international press. His moody poetry, country blues guitar and rumbling baritone has garnered comparisons to notable musicians such as Tom Waits and John Prine. He has also earned raves from such Nashville notables as Lucinda Williams.
Malcolm has toured with Shelby Lynne and opened for such notable artists as Merle Haggard, Richard Thompson, John Hammond, Leon Russell and Wilco. In addition, Maura O'Connell cut two of Malcolm's songs on her album "Walls and Windows". Touring throughout the year, his live performances are legendary among his legions of fans. He continues to write prolifically, appearing regularly on radio in areas in which he is performing.
Or, in Malcolm's own words.....
"I was born at St. Joseph's hospital in Asheville, NC, sometime on September 2, 1955. The youngest of four boys. Dad was a hardworking busdriver and partners with his Father, "Papa Holcombe", of the Mars Hill-Weaverville bus line. The home where I was raised is unrecognisable now in the used-to-be small mountain town of Weaverville, NC. Go-carts, baseball, fishin' holes and Main Street filled my days til my parents died, not too soon apart, (mother ' 73 and dad ' 79) & I moved to Florida. Raised with a love of music and reading by my Mother and encouragement by my Father(who strongly suggested to me "don't quit your day job")I learned to play a flat-top guitar...my dad bought it/ After many trials and errors of tuning guesswork and neighborhood friends that didn't mind too much me hangin' around them that could play "Smoke On the Water"- and real rock 'n roll songs- high school days finally broke the sweat with a folk group "The Hilltoppers" who took me under their wings of patience and ditching classes to do shows and sock- hops, fairs and such, strumming Peter Paul and Mary songs and traditional Appalachian ballads with versions of old standard bluegrass songs- I wasn't up to snuff to sing, but they gladly made me welcome with my strummin'. 1976 rolled around and Caesar's Parlor in the Big City of Asheville where I met- and still admire and stay in touch with- Ray Sisk and Joey Freeman who opened up the saloon doors to Redwing- my second band if you will. Ray inspired me to work hard and perform, travel and write songs. Eventually a duo was formed with Sam Milner that resulted in my first LP "Trademark"- becoming familiar with roadwork and a few more chords and notes on guitar- solo shows and house gigs followed until my butt found a Greyhound bus and a one way ticket to Nashville- September 2nd 1990 ummmmmmmmmoh well....................
Nashville days- yeah man- simply hard and frustrating beyond no man lands expressions and tales- Nashville TN. The rest is scribbled and slung down in songs- sad ,sure and subtle and forever reasoned for. Takin' on ol' ways impure survival with no sound explanation. I continue performing, writing and supporting my family and blood flowin' folk ballads with no sound explanation- It's my job."
Editorial Reviews:
"From the first note I was drawn in. Malcolm Holcombe is an old soul and modern day blues poet. He is a rare find."
Lucinda Williams
"Not Forgotten is Malcolm Holcombe at his very best, which, considering his back catalogue, is sayin' a whole helluva lot. In spite of its title, this is a work to be remembered, to be listened to time and again..."
Shaun Harvey
Americana Roots
"...a driving mix of blues, country, folk and Smoky Mountain soul that surrounds you and stays on your skin like woodsmoke. As always, Holcombe leaves the term "singer-songwriter" woefully wanting."
Rick Cornell
The Independent Weekly
"His rich rough voice rides roughshod over the sophistication and brings out the best in him. [Not Forgotten]...is like a chunk of wood in a pile of plastic."
David Cowling
Americana UK
"This timeless collection of songs would fit just as easily around a 19th century campfire as in today's alt country scene."
Mare Wakefield
Performing Songwriter
"It's that old school blues feel, coupled with poetic images of blue-collar life, that gives Holcombe's music so much power and has earned him such high praise...writing songs that feel as real as small-town newspaper stories and as timeless as lullabies."
Paul Kingsbury
American Songwriter
"Malcolm Holcombe sings in a gruff and dusty voice harsh with experience. But there’s a wisdom to his delivery, and a brittle beauty to his rootsy tunes, that makes his music a pleasure to listen to."
Jim Farber
New York Daily News
"A musical landscape where all themes lead to home...Not Forgotten is glorious in its sublime earthiness."
Paige LaGrone Babcock
PureMusic
"The rare songwriter whose lyrics work as poetry as well as they do songs, Holcombe uses words to paint images that are often abstract but always connect on an emotional level."
Jack Silverman
Nashville Scene
