the Cutting Edge · CMCA
Cross Rhyrthms · Raw Tuna
Cheezers  · Talmidim

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Thank goodness the age of the singer / songwriter / guitar strummer has never had the sun set upon it. I'd be at a loss if I had never listened to John Prine, Steve Goodman, Mark Heard, James Taylor, Woody Guthrie, Gordon Bok, Cisco Houston and countless others.

Kyle Knapp has a knack for the catchy tune, refined by his more than adequate voice. The songs scatter images and emotions along your synapses, causing you to feel and experience the stories he presents. "Lincoln Boulevard" is an nostalgic looking to the past "when the park was green / the streets were clean and girls were girls and the men were men." And while all the memories are simply that, the sentiment is one of fondness for the past mixed with the reality of "And if I could you know I would, but I can't go back again to Lincoln Boulevard!" Something we can relate to at any age. The title cut also features the theme of nostalgia - a yearning for the past that is only a memory. Two fine songs.

Knapp steps into the realm of humor with "Just One of The Boys," a ditty about male chauvinism in the face of a woman wanting to do a job that has always been a man's world - auto mechanic. The singer is impressed, encourages her and ultimately goes to work for her. Says a lot about not prejudging a person.

I don't know how Knapp manages to hit home so much, but "We Walk Together," about a lonely man who lived within himself, rips right into the depths of the heart with the words "Me and Jesus, we walk together / I'm hand in hand with the Father of us all."

In retrospect and numerous listenings, the entire disc pleases to no end. I have yet to get tired of any of the songs. The more I listen, the more Knapp sounds likes James Taylor. Maybe that's why this is so fine.

+ + + + + Dan Kennedy

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from CMCA:

Have you ever sat down on a porch swing in the middle of country and done nothing but enjoy the surroundings? If you have, playing Burr Oak Acres on your portable CD player would have completed that serene setting. Kyle employs an acoustic folk flavor that may remind you slightly of Pure Prarie Leauge or even a bit of John Denver. Yet there is a big difference as Kyle's music has more substance. He sings from his heart for the Lord and only longs to have this world be that wonderful place we can enjoy from that porch swing.

Lincoln Boulevard is a classic first track. The first thing you'll notice is the awesome guitar work and a perfectly complementing voice that compels the listener from the very beginning. Lyrically you will applaud this track as it speaks of how things were so much better way back when (like the early 50's) and how declining values makes the writer long for times of his Childhood at........you're right if you guessed either Lincoln Boulevard or Burr Oak Acres :)

Saturday Morning Sunrise keeps the same feelings rolling and relates the nature of things both Spiritually and physically. Kind of an inner relating to His surroundings. There is some wonderful violin by Carl Orand tastefully placed within this song. Kyle centers on acoustic guitar with percussion, mandolin, violin and even a whistle within this project. The production (Greg Strange) is not overdone, nor should it be for this type of an album. If you can feel the music, then they did everything correctly (which is the case here).

You can't help but smile when you hear Just One of The Boys about a female grease monkey who wants equal pay instead of staying home having babies :) You can tell it's written in good fun. This is the kind of track you'd expect on a good classic country album. We Walk Together speaks of Kyle's walking relationship with our Lord and Savior. The guitar work again shines along with a harmonica (Randy "Slim" Bolling) and mandolin (Brian Wilson) that seamlessly intertwines this moving song. Some Christians may think, "Why did Kyle wait until track four to talk clearly about Jesus?" Musicians kind of have it good because they can convey their true Spirit through music, and Kyle's heart is certainly in the right place. Any heartfelt song that employs positive lyrics is uplifiting to any listener and I think that Kyle Knapp can easily get airplay on both secular and Christian stations.

The title track of the CD is as good as you'd expect. This song hits on a pure essence of a longing for simpler times and how Burr Oak Acres was built as a place to live, but more importantly as Kyle perfectly words it: "To build a home or a memory takes love and sweat and tears." This is a Heaven-on-earth song with vivid memories that will envelop you throughout. You can almost take this song and use it as a foundation on how to properly interact with your children so they never forget the hard earned (yet love-filled) lessons that come with life. After listening to this track you might find yourself getting in your car and driving far away from the 24 hour mini marts of this world.

That Fire In Your Eyes is a love song to Kyle's wife, Gail. I don't think this album would have been complete without this tune. If we trust Him and allow Him to do so, the Lord brings us His chosen mate for life, and that choice is always the best one. Kyle sings to her a very moving rendition of the joy within his soul. Nothing Less Will Do has some outstanding chord progressions and a nice mellow lead guitar instrumental. This may be the best track from a production point of view as the arrangement is literally perfect right down to where the percussion (Brian Wilson) is placed.

I'll Wait has a beautiful, gorgeous chorus. While singing a new song in Heaven, I hope the Lord lets us backtrack to sing this song. This will bring a tear to your eye as it displays joy, a pure uncontested love to our Father. This track along with, Lincoln Boulevard and Burr Oak Acres are the shining stars on this album.

By the time you get to Harbor For The Homeless and Consider The Lillies you have probably figured out that Kyle is a very good songwriter! To write lyrics that fit the musical puzzle is not an easy thing to accomplish. There is individual meaning which seems tailored to the each and every listener. Everyone will come away from this album with some hidden part of themselves stirred within and that is all any one person with a guitar in hand can ask for.

Burr Oak Acres is a brilliant project and well thought out from the booklet through the music itself. If you are a laid back acoustic music fan, then Burr Oak Acres is meant for you. It provides us with many mixed emotions: love, hope, longing, faith and joy, all in just 10 songs. That's more than anyone can ever expect!

Paul Gentry, CMCA Staff
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from Raw Tuna:

"Kyle Knapp’s ‘Burr Oak Acres’ is what an acoustic album should be, personal lyrics draped on soothing melodies all held up by talented guitar stylings"

Dan Cleberg

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from Cheezers:

"Authentic laid-back folk that is warm and inviting. Songwriting is well-done for this genre...songs of hope, love and life."

Cheezers

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from Talmidim:

"Careful, beautiful acoustic guitar work. Lyrics are personal, reflective, and so unpretentiously spiritual. We recommend this for those seeking a thoughtful well-crafted folk collection sans hype, sell-out and pablum."

Bethany

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