Bob Carpenter
Silent Passage

This is the only sonic testament of Bob Carpenter, a Canadian singer-songwriter who belonged to the musical underground, and who died in 1995 due to a brain tumor. The record was recorded between 1971 and 1974 (year of publication). The recording sessions took place between Toronto and Los Angeles, involving a small number of musicians, among whom was a young Emmylou Harris (then Carpenter's wife), on backing vocals. It resulted in a record of American singer-songwriting in a folk style.

The release of Silent Passage (produced by Warner Bros Records), represented the Achilles' heel for the author himself. Despite the undisputed musical quality that accredited the work, the record did not achieve the same success as those produced by the “sacred monsters” of the era like Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, or Neil Young, so Silent Passage was inevitably destined only for niche music enthusiasts.

Yet there is a lot to explore. Without exaggeration, the title track is a small gem hidden among the hymns of the storytellers made in the 70s, and the following ballad First Light (placed right after the “rocking” Old Friends), proves to be both poetic and intimate, but with a more sparse arrangement (organ and string trio). Side B (for those who have the vinyl) unabashedly reveals that the record was recorded over the course of three years: although the audio does not indicate a clear sonic shift, Bob's voice (more relaxed and mature compared to previous tracks) fatally becomes the telltale sign of all this. However, it is an innocence that does not weigh on the final judgment. In this regard, Gypsy Boy remains irresistible (with its harmonic parts with a Celtic aftertaste) and Now and Then, a gentle acoustic ballad, embellished by the mild and semi-perceptible touch of the electric piano.

The commercial failure of Silent Passage, convinced Carpenter to permanently shelve his musical project. He became a Buddhist monk for the rest of his days. Over time, however, his singular work was re-evaluated. The market saw a new reissue of the record as early as 1984. The appreciation grew, even though the work was never analyzed by the general public. Today, so many years later, Silent Passage continues to be considered a treasure of underground music and a sublime testimony of the highest rank of the songwriter's art.

Federico “Dragonstar” Passarella.