Greg Trafidlo

Sing Out! (2002) 

[Co-Writers In Disguise (2002)] Greg Trafidlo is a guy in love with life, music and his late dog, Kira. He penned five of the dozen songs on the CD, and co-authored six, with another, "Angeline the Baker/Angelina Baker," a medley of the traditional and Stephen Foster compositions.

Trafidlo is one versatile songwriter, ranging from pop love songs such as "Waiting For The Light To Change," to writing in Cajun-flavored French, "Je Vive Dans Un Reve," to a fascinating ballad about stealing – that is copyrighting – traditional music, co-authored with friend Neal Phillips, "The Ballad of Libby Congriss." (On "Je Vive" in a humorous touch, the translation is spoken over the French at the end.) The Lomax family probably won't enjoy "Libby." Co-Writers in Disguise, which I assume refers to Trafidlo's cohorts Laura Pole and Neal Phillips, is Trafidlo's most commercially oriented CD to date, with plenty of production on most of the tracks, including playing guitar, mandolin and percussion himself. Generally the songs don't need much help, but the production doesn't detract much, either.

A trademark of Trafidlo CDs is one funny song, and he doesn't disappoint with "Don't Take Your Gut to Town." Next time you eat too much over the holidays, play this song. The enjoyment of Trafidlo's recordings centers on the opening sentence, he genuinely loves doing this, and he has the talent to carry it off to share his affection for music and performing with the listener.