Lord Baldwin's Ballads of Love : " For Her "

Anyone familiar with the range Chester Baldwin showcases in his music knows this is a musician of many talents, who is able to do all the varied instrumentation and harmonies and do all the writing in his many musical  albums. Over the years I have come to grow fond of the bard's warmth and sincerity, of both his passion and tender side, his sense of justice and also his sense of humour and capacity for compassion.  He has a unique heart and soul, and a deep knowledge of folk music in the best traditions of the great masters, like Dylan, Guthrie and Young.
This particular album is dedicated to his wife of over forty years, Diane. His love and devotion for her sparkles like quiet, bright stars in all his albums alongside his themes of concern for humanity's destiny and current bend, his love for the plight of the common man, his love of family and his knowledge and insight into the American psyche in these trying times. In " For Her ", Chester Baldwin keeps the instrumentation to a minimum, to make sure the lyrics and their meaning stay unwaveringly in the foreground, making sure his voice alone expresses all the love he feels for Diane. There are 22 songs on this album, and all the songs are deeply personal and moving. I have a few favorites by now, like " To Be Somebody With You ", "The angel By My Side ", "She Loves Me Anyway", " On A Slow Burn ", " When You Touch My Heart ". There are also songs that reveal a lighter side , tinged with a dash of tender humour, like " A Mind Of Her Own", and " Ain't We A Pair". This album is a testimony to his steadfast, strong, kind wife. Anyone who is lucky enough, like myself, to know Diane, can truly appreciate this album, because we have all benefited from her patience, compassion, and love at one time or another. She is one of those rare people who leave us wanting to be better than we are, and who sees the best in everyone even if we are not deserving.
This album is stunningly beautiful, because it touches on the wonder of having stuck with the same partner through the ups and downs of life. There is a tender reward in growing older with a life partner, to be allowed to reap the harvest of the hard work of making a relationship thrive and last through many years, many challenges, heartbreaks, and joys. Chester has this ability to express these most personal and deep emotions in very sincere, clear lyrics, and in a musical language that matches the feelings. It is a wonderful album. It is both very concrete and very spiritual, a rare feat. The instrumentation underscores flawlessly the emotions of the lyrics, and also shows one more time Chester's talents with the piano, harmonica, guitar, sensitively blended like spices and herbs in a rich meal. His voice is very rich in this album, open, real, sharing all the nuances of his love for his wife. It is a treat, truly, and if you have been married for a long time, like me, thirty years now and counting, it will make you appreciative and it will make you want to try even harder to be the best possible mate and partner you can be. Don't miss this album. The best bard in Olympia struck gold on this one, and you will too.