Ed Askew is a painter and singer-songwriter hailing from Stamford, Connecticut, who has carved a distinctive niche in the folk music scene with his idiosyncratic style and use of the rarely encountered instrument, the tiple – a ten-string relative of the ukulele. Born in 1940, his musical career spans several decades but remained largely obscure until the late 2000s. Askew initially garnered attention with his 1968 debut album "Ask the Unicorn," which was released on the heralded ESP-Disk label, known for its avant-garde and countercultural releases. Despite being a gem of psychedelic folk, the album, along with his subsequent release "Little Eyes" in 1970, failed to achieve mainstream success at the time, leading Askew to focus on his other passion, painting, as well as teaching.

It wasn't until the reissue of "Ask the Unicorn" and a resurgence of interest in acid folk and outsider music that the depth of Askew's artistry began to reach a broader audience. Since then, he has continued to create, release new work, and perform, enthralling new generations of listeners with his poetic lyricism, arresting tenor voice, and the haunting, ethereal melodies of his tiple. Albums like "For the World" and "Art and Life" showcase his evolution as an artist, always retaining the raw, emotive power that makes his music unforgettable. Through songs such as "Little Eyes (London)" and "Sleeping With Angels," Ed Askew has cemented his legacy as a poignant storyteller and a cherished figure in the American folk tradition.

Genres

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Latest Release

London

Ed Askew

Ep - 6 Tracks - Released June 19, 2020