CONKLIN, LARRY & BLUM, JOCHEN - JackdawLP)

The fourth LP in Tompkins Square's series of private press solo guitar reissues, all by artists featured on the compilation 'Imaginational Anthem Vol. 8. Larry Conklin bought his first guitar, a Gibson J-45, in 1970, after he got out of the army. "I taught myself to play. I wrote songs and instrumentals (at that time Bert Jansch was my guiding light). I listened to a lot of people - Leo Kottke, John Renbourn, Django Reinhardt, Lonnie Johnson, Robert Johnson - and especially Rev. Gary Davis, who played only with his thumb and index finger as I did." Larry's first record, Jackdaw was self-released in 1980 and includes beautiful solo 12 string acoustic guitar tracks, as well as gentle acoustic duets with violinist, Jochen Blum. Larry met Jochen in Florence in 1980 and commented that "his violin playing put excitement into my music. It was special. I pressed 300 copies and sent them out into the world." Post-Jackdaw, Larry moved to Europe and in 1987 began recording for Tukan Records. In the 21 years that he lived in Europe, Larry toured and recorded with John Renbourn as well as blues artist Sidney 'Guitar Crusher' Selby.