One of my musical heroes. – David Wilcox
LJ Booth is hands down one of the finest songwriters I’ve had the pleasure to encounter. The Ox That Pulls the Cart is a recording of rare insight and artistry. –Carrie Newcomer
So the above quotes come from two of my favorite artists. Yet when I looked at the Roots Music Report this morning I didn’t recognize the name of Wisconsin native L.J. Booth, and after listening to his 2002 release The Ox that Pulls the Cart. I don’t know why not! The first thing that caught my attention and the reason that I downloaded the album was the opening guitar work on the first track and overall the musical production was the first thing that I liked on the first listen! Booth is a wonderful guitarist and it shows on the album and he is accompanied by a lot of other instruments including fiddle, keyboards, cello and even bouzouki!
On the second and third listens the strength of lyrics became evident. Songs like “Clutter”, “Western Ridge” co-written with David Wilcox, and ” The Ox That Pulls the Cart” (probably my favorite track) showcase LJ’s songwriting talents, which have been displayed at Falcon Ridge, Edmonton, Kerrville, Telluride and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival and Booth has built a stage presence that has become his trademark.
According to his website Booth has entered three songwriting “competitions”….Kerrville’s New Folk, Telluride’s Troubadour, and Falcon Ridge’s Showcase….and won all three and was invited back to a main stage performance the following year. Here are some more quotes from some folks who know more about music than me!
Few writers I know are as musical, literate and elegant. I love his stuff and can’t wait for each new song, each new album. The song, “The Ox That Pulls the Cart” is the kind of song I wish I wrote…it’s a total gem.
-JOHN MCCUTCHEON
LJ Booth is as literate as they come. As a lyricist he has the light touch of Lyle Lovett, the unabashed honesty of Leonard Cohen and the sprawling, joyous life of Walt Whitman. The plainness of his imagery and the economy of his phrasing is only made more effective by his glittering guitar parts and the simple grace of his songs.
His vocal approach also possesses the effective simplicity of Lyle Lovett with a little Gordon Lightfoot thrown in. On the more raucous tunes like “Hold On!” and the fiddle-driven “Changing Sky,” Booth is still completely in control, driving the songs straight through to their satisfying conclusions. But it’s on the quiet moments that Booth really shines, wheeling through joy, freedom and longing with simple grace.
-PERFORMING SONGWRITER
So check out LJ Booth! I know I am going to check out his early work along with his most recent release The Road That Leads Me Home his 2009 release, which is a collection of new songs recorded in various live concert settings!
Here’s LJ performing his song “Moonbeam”