Andrew McKnight: “Something Worth Standing For”

Something Worth Standing For reflects the maturity of a veteran songpoet and seasoned musical artisan as well as the introspection of a new father. Andrew focuses on threads in the American tapestry through the lens of illegal immigrants, of ordinary people clinging to lost treasures of their past, and of those praying for loved ones to safely return from war. Recorded almost entirely with a hand-picked band of friends, including fellow Falling Mountaineers Jim Baird (Oxymora) on bass and Pamela Temple (wild carrot) on harmony vocals, Andrew has created a coherent and compelling musical portrait of modern America, while drawing inspiration from legendary musicians who became icons of their own difficult times. Notable among the 16 cuts are the rollicking Cajun-meets-Clapton title cut, “Times We’re Living In,” a haunting indictment of the forces that coalesced behind Katrina, “Wind Whispers Your Name,” an a cappella elegy for a fallen soldier cowritten with fellow Falling Mountain songsmith Randy Barrett, and “Bridges,” a beautiful meditation on the cycles of parenthood co-written with Jon Carroll. And honoring the “folk process,” McKnight pens updated lyrics to the traditional “Worried Man Blues” as well as to Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads,” the spooky solo slide blues that closes the album.