Eric Karlstrom

The Songs

1. The River
2. Fern Glen
3. Minstrel's Dream
4. The Storm
5. The Refuge
6. The Clearing
7. The Rainbow
8. Elves' Chasm
9. Rock and Sky
10. The Fall
11. Wyoming Waltz
12. Winds of Fire
13. Angel's Lament
14. Tears from the Land of the Snows
15. Flight of the Mountain Eagle
16. The Ancient Forest
17. Lake Song
18. The Path

The Songs

1. Come to my Bedside
2. Colours
3. Spanish is the Lovin' Tongue
4. Mindy
5. My own True Love
6. Luna de Xelaju
7. Four Strong Winds
8. How Long is Our Time
9. I Will
10. Drivin' Blind
11. Let's Get Together
12. Ghost Lover
13. Late in the Day
14. I love my Old Truck
15. Shenandoah

Reflections: Eric Karlstrom
(CD - $15; Cassette - $10)

The Songs

1. Song of an Earthman
2. Ridge Walkin'
3. Hey
4. How Long is Our Time?
5. The Knight and Dragon
6. Heaven Knows
7. Reflections
8. Mindy
9. Flute Song
10. Kirsten
11. Drivin' Blind
12. Maui Prayer
13. A Red Flower
14. Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms

University Daze - Tuneful Tales from the Trenches of Academe: Eric Thor Karlstrom
(CD - $15)

A humorous and satirical glimpse behind the ivory curtain of academe at some of the insane and inane goings-on at our institutions of higher ignorance, er, I mean, learning. This collection of irreverent (and original) country, bluegrass, folk, and rap songs explores and exposes some of the follies and foibles of modern university life from the perspectives of professors, graduate students, undergrads, and even a grounds crew worker. As a professor for the past two decades, I didn�t need to use my imagination to write most of these musical sagas- most of these stories actually happened to me! In truth, writing and recording these songs may have helped me to maintain my sanity- and hopefully, hearing this collection of songs may also help preserve or restore yours (or perhaps that of a friend or loved one) if you or they currently find yourselves spinning helplessly and haplessly on the academic gerbil wheel.

This album was recorded in Phil Gall's Mudshark Recording Studio in Flagstaff, Arizona - which also happens to be his spacious and comfy living room!

1. Expert
2. Svenska Studies
3. Sexual Harassment Rap
4. Friends of the Pleistocnene
5. Talkin' RPT* Blues Lite
6. Foggy Valley Breakdown
7. West Fork Canyon
8. Ballad of Fred ABD**
9. Oregon Coast/Required Readings
10. I Love My Ol' Truck

Talkin' RPT Blues: The Complete, Uncut, and Uncensored Version - Eric Thor Karlstrom
(CD - $15)

Here, in the 29 minute, block-buster, epic title song (Talkin' RPT Blues) is the complete, uncut, and uncensored saga of how one man (me) managed to survive the dreaded RPT (Retention, Promotion and Tenure) process at one of our institutions of higher ignorance. As you will hear, it weren’t easy and it weren’t fun. Indeed, my protagonists were highly determined that my employment at said university be terminated in said process. What can you do when your dream turns into a Kafka-esque nightmare and your professional life is facing a slow-motion but imminent, ritualized murder? Well, outside of crimes that might get you throwed in jail, you could write a 29-minute, uproariously ridiculous (and true) talkin’ blues song in the tradition of that great balladeer, Woody Guthrie, that’s what. At least that’s what I did. And here for the very first time is the completely uncensored version of this highly charged and controversial epic tale. It has a few things to say about the whole P.C. insanity that has swept across our college campuses in the past few decades.

Friend and recording engineer Phil Gall of Mudshark Recording Studio in Flagstaff, Arizona, still refers to this as the “miracle cut”- because I recorded this 29-minute epic on the first take- no splicing, no dicing, no patching up clunkers, just tellin’ it straight like it was, with the kind of feeling that comes from genuine personal experience and conviction. Also on this CD, against a backdrop of real sweet guitar pickin’, are some wise and wonderful quotes from some wise folks that offer an antidote to the mean-spiritedness and a more sane perspective on the goings-on of modern universities and modern life (Oregon Coast/Required Readings). Finally, I round out the CD with my most recent original song about a very talented boyhood friend of mine who unfortunately didn't last very long - called Ode to Jimmy. On reflection, it took me a lot longer to write this song than he lived. Life is kind of crazy, no?

The Bluegrass Conspiracy: Eric Karlstrom and Jason Winfree
(CD - $15)

The Bluegrass Conspiracy is my current favorite band to play in. It consists of Eric Karlstrom and Jason Winfree (a philosophy professor at Cal. State University). Here, Eric and Jason team up with Don Richmond (who plays bass, mandolin, dobro, and fiddle and also records and mixes the whole thing at Howlin’ Dog Recording in Alamosa). Jason grew up in West Virginia and got his Ph.D. in Nashville, Tennessee. You can hear that bluegrass pedigree in his fine tenor voice- which has that “high lonesome sound” reminiscent of the masters, Ralph Stanley and Bill Monroe. The songs herein are mostly straight-ahead traditional bluegrass with a modern flair and a real punch. Here, we also offer an updated version of an old bluegrass standard called White House Blues to better reflect the character of the current occupants. This CD has real old-fashioned bluegrass drive and is a lot of fun to listen to.

The Songs

1. Ruby Ridge
2. Body and Soul
3. How Mountain Girls Can Love
4. Doin' My Time
5. White Freight Liner
6. Think of What You've Done
7. John Hardy
8. Angel Band
9. Blue Night
10. Walls of Time
11. I Wish You Knew
12. Katy Daly
13. Will You Miss Me
14. White House Blues

Mountain Sage - Eric Karlstrom and Dave Dumas
(CD - $15)

Eric Karlstrom and Dave Dumas have been pickin' folk, country, and bluegrass songs since they were high school buddies. On the occasion of their 30th high school reunion (yikes!), they decided to record some of their long time favorites. They recruited some friends and relatives (Donna and D.J. Dumas, Anita Glazer, Larry Peterson, and Joy Steele) and recorded these songs in Jerome, Arizona. It was a lot of fun making this CD, and it is reflective of the fun we've had pickin' and singin' over the years. We're pretty sure you'll get a lot of pleasure from it as well.

The Songs

1. Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico
2. El Condor Pase
3. Salty Dog
4. Oh Suzanna
5. Hello Mary Lou
6. Cowboy's Lament
7. Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound
8. Foggy Valley Breakdown
9. My Own True Love
10. Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
11. Irene Goodnight

Finding Home: Eric and Karen
(CD - $15)

Eric (Karlsltrom) and Karen (Fricke) are brother and sister who began singing together during the “folk craze” of the 60’s and who have that special voice chemistry sometimes bequeathed to siblings. And Karen's voice- at once tender, sweet and soothing- is something rare and magnificent unto itself. It's just a gift that she's always had- and my own opinion is that her voice is as good or better than that of any other female vocalist who has come along on the folk, country or bluegrass scene in the past several decades. This collection of songs features some of our favorite folk, popular, country and bluegrass songs as well as one original by Eric (The Old House). Multi-talented instrumentalist and recording engineer, Don Richmond of Howlin’ Dog Recording Studio in Alamosa, CO skillfully accompanies us on mandolin, fiddle, dobro, accordion, and Weissenborn guitar. This CD has proven to be a favorite for many people of all ages.

The Songs

1. Forever Young
2. Don't Fence Me In
3. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
4. All My Trials
5. The Rose
6. Landslide
7. The Old House
8. Somewhere Over the Rainbow
9. Tomorrow is a Long Time
10. Leavin' on a Jet Plane
11. So Many Pathways
12. There is a Ship
13. I Will

Colorado Colors: Kindred Folk
(CD - $15)

This eclectic collection of timeless songs by Eric Karlstrom and (younger sister) Karen Fricke features some more of our favorites- in the folk, bluegrass, country, jazz, and Spanish and Guatemalan (Luna de Xelaju) genres. In addition to great vocal harmonies by the two siblings, and solid guitar and banjo pickin’ by Eric, this CD features more solid, sweet, and tasteful bass, mandolin, violin, and accordian accompaniment by the amazing veteran musician, Don Richmond of Howlin’ Dog Recording. This CD is one of my very favorites and I know many others who feel the same way.

The Songs

1. Let's Get Together
2. Eres Tu
3. Rocky Top
4. Late in the Day
5. Colours
6. Summertime
7. Four Strong Winds
8. Last Thing on My Mind
9. Luna de Xelaju
10. Down in the Valley to Pray
11. Come all Ye Fair and Tender Ladies
12. Lakota Lullaby
13. Gospel Medley



The River - 18 Original songs for solo piano: Eric Thor Karlstrom (CD - $15)
The River features 18 original piano songs that are used in the movie "An Awakening Journey: Songs and Voices from the Earth". So this CD is an excellent companion piece to the movie. I composed these songs in the 80’s and 90’s and recorded them in 1997 and 1998 on a $90,000 10-foot, Bosendorfer Concert Grand piano. It felt like riding Secretariat! What power! What sound! People of all ages find this music beautiful, relaxing, and inspiring and have been known to play it over and over again, non-stop, all day. My sister's 5th grade class has been asking that she play it for them every day. Recently, they all wrote me letters saying how much they love the music. One girl wrote: "We usually hate soft music but we really love your music. Please send CDs so we can buy it!" Studies have shown that classical music can make people smarter. I hope my music will too! Because it's both peaceful and powerful, this music seems to help people relax and focus. When we focus our minds, we're all geniuses in our own ways. As a college professor who loves music, mountains, and meditation, I chose nature themes for most of the titles. Most people can relate to nature's peace and power, but the music also stands by itself and I hope listeners will enjoy whatever feelings or images the music evokes for them. This CD makes an excellent gift to friends and loved ones. Happy listening!
The Songs 1. The River 2. Fern Glen 3. Minstrel's Dream 4. The Storm 5. The Refuge 6. The Clearing 7. The Rainbow 8. Elves' Chasm 9. Rock and Sky 10. The Fall 11. Wyoming Waltz 12. Winds of Fire 13. Angel's Lament 14. Tears from the Land of the Snows 15. Flight of the Mountain Eagle 16. The Ancient Forest 17. Lake Song 18. The Path




Some Pretty Good Love Songs (CD - $15)

Some Pretty Good Love Songs is a collection of some of my favorite love songs that mainly features my singing and guitar and banjo picking in a more or less folky style. The CD also includes excellent back-up instrumentals by Don Richmond and vocals by Karen Fricke on 7 of the 15 songs. The main themes of the songs, of course, are love lost (Four Strong Winds, Late in the Day, Drivin’ Blind, Spanish is the Lovin’ Tongue, Ghost Lover) and love found (Come to my Bedside, Colours, Mindy, My Own True Love, I Will). But important sub-themes include love confused and bewildered (How Long is Our Time?), love for the Creator (as represented by a river, in Shenandoah), and even love of my most loyal old pickup truck (I Love My Old Truck). (Incidentally, it was a 1984 Toyota that eventually got over 400,000 miles). Some of these songs were just recently recorded (2006) at Don Richmond’s Howlin’ Dog Recording in Alamosa, Colorado. Others are selected from amongst the best songs I have on previous recordings. The four original love songs (Mindy, How Long is Our Time?, Drivin’ Blind, and I Love My Old Truck) are from my first recording, Reflections. I don’t usually admit to having favorite songs- but now having just recently recorded the classic love song and sea shanty, Shenandoah, I think this song just about says it all. That said, however, I must admit (all modesty aside) that Drivin’ Blind is probably the most perfect song I ever recorded. The song itself has an unlikely, even epic, history. I wrote this song around about 1978 when a very significant girl friend got married to someone else. I recorded the melody vocal and guitar part in 1981 at Phil Gall’s Mudshark Studio when I was just starting out as a Geography professor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. But for the next approximately 15 years, I got so side-tracked and busy (jumping through all those hoops professors have to jump through) that I couldn’t find the time or energy to finish the project. In 1996, after I finally won an epic battle for tenure (please see and hear University Daze, below, for the gory details), I finally returned to Phil’s studio, dubbed in harmony vocal and banjo parts, and produced my first album, Reflections! Phil states proudly that this album was his longest-running project of all time! Now, when I listen to Drivin Blind,’ I hear much more than a heart-felt song about an important love lost and more than just a recording project that spanned 15 years. I hear the pretty near perfect (and perfectly recorded) sounds of my 1974 D-35 Martin guitar (which I subsequently sold for a pittance and still miss today) and my 1988 Ome Columbine banjo (stolen from a cabin where I was staying in the late 90’s in California). Just as great people pass through our lives, so do great instruments- and it is not possible to forget either. Today, I mainly play a Larrivee D-60 guitar and a world-class Osborne Chief banjo, both of which I love. It’s been quite a journey.
	The Songs 1. Come to my Bedside 2. Colours 3. Spanish is the Lovin' Tongue 4. Mindy 5. My own True Love 6. Luna de Xelaju 7. Four Strong Winds 8. How Long is Our Time 9. I Will 10. Drivin' Blind 11. Let's Get Together 12. Ghost Lover 13. Late in the Day 14. I love my Old Truck 15. Shenandoah


Compact Disc	Reflections: Eric Karlstrom (CD - $15; Cassette - $10)	Cassette Tape
This CD/cassette tape features the best of the guitar/banjo/vocal songs that I wrote between about 1967 and 1995. The songs have a folkish flavor and deal with issues such as love, freedom, sorrow, joy, nature, spirituality, and impermanence. While there is considerable variety in the styles of the songs, the use of acoustic guitar and banjo give it a "mellow" flavor throughout. Five songs (Song of an Earthman, Ridge Walkin', Hey, The Knight and the Dragon, and Flute Song) have nature/environmental themes, some using humor. Four are love songs and two are classical/folk style instrumentals. The one spiritually-oriented song (Maui Prayer) has a kind of Hawaiian sound, perhaps because I wrote it by full moon on a beach in Maui! And two (Hey and A Red Flower) are children's songs. I first recorded A Red Flower back in 1967- and it actually became a "top 40" hit song in Flagstaff and Phoenix, Arizona! On the new CD are the original recordings of the two "top 40" hits from 1967 - A Red Flower and Race to Knowhere. The last song in the collection (Rollin' in my Sweet Baby's Arms) is a bluegrass favorite. This recording was started in 1981 and completed in 1996 - making this the all-time longest running project ever to grace the premises of Phil Gall's Mudshark Recording Studio in Flagstaff, Arizona. And to give credit where credit is due, I must acknowledge that it was the hellacious process of getting tenure at my university (please refer to CDs *#s 4 and 5 - University Daze and Talkin' RTP Blues** below) that inspired me to get back to doing the things I really love- like making music!!!! Like Ricky Nelson, I finally concluded that "you can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself." So, it seems the Buddhists may actually be right when they say we should be grateful to our enemies!
	The Songs 1. Song of an Earthman 2. Ridge Walkin' 3. Hey 4. How Long is Our Time? 5. The Knight and Dragon 6. Heaven Knows 7. Reflections 8. Mindy 9. Flute Song 10. Kirsten 11. Drivin' Blind 12. Maui Prayer 13. A Red Flower 14. Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms



	University Daze - Tuneful Tales from the Trenches of Academe: Eric Thor Karlstrom (CD - $15)

	A humorous and satirical glimpse behind the ivory curtain of academe at some of the insane and inane goings-on at our institutions of higher ignorance, er, I mean, learning. This collection of irreverent (and original) country, bluegrass, folk, and rap songs explores and exposes some of the follies and foibles of modern university life from the perspectives of professors, graduate students, undergrads, and even a grounds crew worker. As a professor for the past two decades, I didn�t need to use my imagination to write most of these musical sagas- most of these stories actually happened to me! In truth, writing and recording these songs may have helped me to maintain my sanity- and hopefully, hearing this collection of songs may also help preserve or restore yours (or perhaps that of a friend or loved one) if you or they currently find yourselves spinning helplessly and haplessly on the academic gerbil wheel. This album was recorded in Phil Gall's Mudshark Recording Studio in Flagstaff, Arizona - which also happens to be his spacious and comfy living room!
		The Songs 1. Expert 2. Svenska Studies 3. Sexual Harassment Rap 4. Friends of the Pleistocnene 5. Talkin' RPT* Blues Lite 6. Foggy Valley Breakdown 7. West Fork Canyon 8. Ballad of Fred ABD** 9. Oregon Coast/Required Readings 10. I Love My Ol' Truck RPT = Retention, Promotion and Tenure *ABD = All But Dissertation



	Talkin' RPT Blues: The Complete, Uncut, and Uncensored Version - Eric Thor Karlstrom (CD - $15)

	Here, in the 29 minute, block-buster, epic title song (Talkin' RPT Blues) is the complete, uncut, and uncensored saga of how one man (me) managed to survive the dreaded RPT (Retention, Promotion and Tenure) process at one of our institutions of higher ignorance. As you will hear, it weren’t easy and it weren’t fun. Indeed, my protagonists were highly determined that my employment at said university be terminated in said process. What can you do when your dream turns into a Kafka-esque nightmare and your professional life is facing a slow-motion but imminent, ritualized murder? Well, outside of crimes that might get you throwed in jail, you could write a 29-minute, uproariously ridiculous (and true) talkin’ blues song in the tradition of that great balladeer, Woody Guthrie, that’s what. At least that’s what I did. And here for the very first time is the completely uncensored version of this highly charged and controversial epic tale. It has a few things to say about the whole P.C. insanity that has swept across our college campuses in the past few decades. Friend and recording engineer Phil Gall of Mudshark Recording Studio in Flagstaff, Arizona, still refers to this as the “miracle cut”- because I recorded this 29-minute epic on the first take- no splicing, no dicing, no patching up clunkers, just tellin’ it straight like it was, with the kind of feeling that comes from genuine personal experience and conviction. Also on this CD, against a backdrop of real sweet guitar pickin’, are some wise and wonderful quotes from some wise folks that offer an antidote to the mean-spiritedness and a more sane perspective on the goings-on of modern universities and modern life (Oregon Coast/Required Readings). Finally, I round out the CD with my most recent original song about a very talented boyhood friend of mine who unfortunately didn't last very long - called Ode to Jimmy. On reflection, it took me a lot longer to write this song than he lived. Life is kind of crazy, no?
		The Songs 1. Talkin' RPT* Blues (29 minutes) 2. Oregon Coast/Required Readings (12 minutes) 3. Ode to Jimmy (5 minutes)