“These folks here, in this record, have no idea what’s
wrong. Or how to help. They are sick with the longing
to make everything better. And they can’t. Tiny things
are important. This house could be anywhere. These
things could happen to anyone.” With this reflection,
Charlie Parr introduces the characters of Rooming
House, a conceptual folk opera that chronicles the
lives of Upper Midwesterners through his quietly
raucous, deeply rooted, and empathetic blues. These
are songs of lost memories and hardship, but also of
the improvised acts of kindness that help neighbors
make do. Joined by celebrated drummer and fellow
Minnesotan Dave King (The Bad Plus, Happy Apple),
Parr cements his role as one of the great troubadours
of our time with an album that becomes its own small
yet profound offering of care.
• “A gritty blend of Delta blues and Depressionera
roots music soaked in his hardscrabble
voice. It’s a sacred realm of folk wisdom and
sorrowful vulnerability.” — Rolling Stone
• “Expertly-picked resonator guitar and lyrics
that puncture the soul” — NPR
• “Arguably America’s finest living
troubadour.” — Songlines (UK)