Writing in the Margins

Writing in the Margins is the tenth studio album by folk singer-songwriter John Gorka. It was released on July 11, 2006, by Red House Records and debuted at number one on the Folk Music Radio Airplay Chart.[10] One departure from previous recordings is the inclusion of a couple of cover songs that blend nicely with Gorka's own compositions. Gorka received some encouragement from Nanci Griffith to record Townes Van Zandt's "Snow Don't Fall",[11] and pays tribute to a personal hero by covering Stan Rogers' "Lockkeeper".[11] Gorka also shares writing credit with his wife, Laurie Allman, on several tracks.

Writing in the Margins
Studio album by
John Gorka
ReleasedJuly 11, 2006
GenreFolk
Singer-songwriter
LabelRed House
ProducerRob Genadek
John Gorka chronology
Old Futures Gone
(2003)		 Writing in the Margins
(2006)		 So Dark You See
(2009)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Acoustic Guitar(favorable)[1] link
Billboard Magazine(favorable)[2]
Dirty Linen(favorable)[3]
FAME(favorable)[4] link
Fretplay[5] link
Goldmine(favorable)[6]
George Grahm(favorable) link
Hickory Wind(favorable) link
No Depression[7]
PopMatters(6/10)[8] link
Rambles(mixed) link
Sing Out!(favorable)[9]
Twangville(favorable) link

Many of Gorka's past collaborators also return to perform here. Nanci Griffith, Lucy Kaplansky, and Alice Peacock each lend their voices to various tracks. Meanwhile, distinctive fretless bass player Michael Manring and multi-instrumentalist John Jennings also contribute their skills.

The album made a number of "best of 2006" lists and was nominated as a "Contemporary Release of the Year" by the North American Folk Music & Dance Alliance (an award that was given to the Wailin' Jennys for the album, Firecracker).[12][13] The song "The Road to Good Intentions" was named by the Indie Acoustic Music Project to the list of "Songs of Note: 25 of the Best Songs from 2006".[14]

Track listing
  1. "Chance of Rain" (Allman, Gorka) – (3:59)
  2. "Broken Place" (Allman, Gorka) – (3:21)
  3. "Satellites" (Gorka) – (2:24)
  4. "Writing in the Margins" (Gorka) – (4:12)
  5. "Snow Don't Fall" (Van Zandt) – (3:00)
  6. "Bluer State" (Allman, Gorka) – (3:17)
  7. "Arms Length" (Gorka) – (3:34)
  8. "The Lockkeeper" (Rogers) – (5:09)
  9. "I Miss Everyone" (Allman, Gorka) – (4:13)
  10. "When You Sing" (Gorka) – (4:24)
  11. "Road of Good Intentions" (Gorka) – (3:49)
  12. "Unblindfold the Referee" (Gorka) – (2:25)

Notes and sources
  1. Thomas, Mike, "Review: John Gorka—Writing in the Margins"', Acoustic Guitar, 174, June 2007
  2. Van Vleck, Philip, Billboard, 118:27, July 8, 2006 (Quotes: "Writing in the Margins is a pleasure, a deftly mixed bag of a dozen tunes, including a pair of finely wrought covers."/"The title track is a poignant soldier's tale that's more personal than political, while "I Miss Everyone" has a pronounced country lilt worthy of Asleep at the Wheel and a nice backing vocal from Lucy Kaplansky."/"This is one of Gorka's most impressive outings.")
  3. Geisel, Ellen, "Recordings: Writing in the Margins", Dirty Linen, 126, October–November 2006, p.45
  4. Schwartz, Roberta B., FAME review: John Gorka—Writing in the Margins", Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
  5. Kasten, Roy, "Review: John Gorka – Writing in the Margins", Fretplay
  6. Sylvester, Bruce, "New Releases: John Gorka—Writing In The Margins", Goldmine, 32:21:684, October 13, 2006, p.68
  7. "Waxed-reviews", No Depression, 67, January–February 2007
  8. Layman, Will, "John Gorka—Writing in the Margins", PopMatters, December 12, 2006
  9. Regenstreif, Mike, "Off the Beaten Track: John Gorka—Writing in the Margins", Sing Out!, 50:4, Winter 2007, p.109-110
  10. Top Albums of July 2006 compiled by Richard Gillmann from FolkDJ-L radio playlists.
  11. See interview with Helen Liecht on Live Friday's from XPN
  12. Ruehl, Kim, "Nominees for the Second Annual North American Folk Alliance Awards", folkmusic.about.com
  13. Best of 2006: New Releases, WFUV Public Radio
  14. "Indie Acoustic Music Project: Award Winners"
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