press reviews:

This debut album by “a decidedly self-assured songwriter” … “is subtly played and delicately stated.”

On Almanac, Bustin is joined by his former partners Malcolm Dalglish, Grey Larsen, and Pete Sutherland. Anyone who has seen these four perform will be pleased to find the witty “More Wood” included, as well as some tasty Sutherland fiddle licks. Bustin is at his best on the bluesy “Shantyboatin’” where his vocals lazily mesh with the fiddle and Bob Lucas’ guitar, while a thoughtful dose of his own banjo rings in the background. The arrangements, which include the unlikely addition of Saaku Saar’s conga playing on “Moonshine in the White Pines” and Bill Schwarz’s piano [on “Awaken to Dreams”] are splendidly understated.

More than anything, Bustin’s album captures a yearning celebration of rural life. Almanac is a cohesive whole—a rare accomplishment for any songwriter.

– J.M. in Sing Out! The Folk Song Magazine 30:3 (Summer, 1984)

A “perfectly wonderful” effort … “a triumph.”

Bustin’s [Almanac] draws on the seasons and their relationship to the land to paint us a portrait of his places. “Moonshine in the White Pines” gives us an unpretentious portrait of a country home, while other songs tell us what goes on there: “Around My Barn,” “Gardening,” and “More Wood,” which is both true and wryly funny. “This Time of Year” is an effective tale of autumn. “La Belle Riviere” celebrates the Ohio River while fearing for her future. Perhaps the most moving song on the album, “Mae Smith,” tells us of an old source singer Dillon came to collect from, who taught him about a lot more than music.
Produced by Bob Lucas, the album has a string-band feel to it, but is laced through with a fluid lyricism that comes from a more universal source. Lucas says he is prouder of this than any other recording he has worked on. I would be, too.

—E.F. in Come for to Sing 10 (Autumn, 1984)

radio program notes:



It’s been a long time coming. Dillon Bustin’s Almanac is one of the most beautiful albums I have heard in years.

—M.S., WLRN-FM, Miami, Florida.

Dillon Bustin’s Almanac has absolutely floored me, and everyone I’ve played it for. I LOVE this record. I’m really excited about its potential, and very keen on helping it reach the audience it deserves.

—E.W., WTJU-FM, Charlottesville, Virginia

Wonderful songs! I especially enjoy looking at Mary Azarian’s cover while playing the album.

—S.M., KBCS-FM, Bellevue, Washington

This record is simply one of the best country-folk records you folks have ever released! Keep up the good work and thanks!

—T.T.H., KTOO-FM, Juneau, Alaska

excerpts of listener letters:



I ordered your album Almanac after hearing “Gardening” and “Mae Smith” one evening last fall on WETA-FM. Your music brings back memories of ten years that I spent out in the boonies, living by the seasons, eating fiddleheads and groundhogs, spending evenings playing guitar by the fire with friends passing through on their way to stability. Just wanted to let you know your songs are being enjoyed. My five year old daughter sings “Mae Smith” in the bathtub and tells me that if she ever gets a daddy she sure hopes he won’t be like Charlie Smith.

—K.H., Washington, DC

I write from the “You don’t know me but…” department. What prompted this letter was hearing Malcolm, Grey, and Pete last February when they came—I was totally enchanted, and not the least by such tunes as “Gardening” and “More Wood.” Eventually I got around to ordering your Almanac and liked it right off and enjoy it more each time I play it. I almost killed myself learning “Gardening” off the inner sleeve while driving between Stillwater and Minneapolis. I especially like “Around My Barn” and “This Time of Year,” too. So after all this time, I thought I’d write just to tell you how much I like your songs and the way you sing them. They’re honest and…well, gentle, or something like that.

—L.B., Minneapolis, MN

I love your song “Shantyboatin.” It’s easy, lazy and feeling good! I heard it on KMUN-FM here in Astoria. I hope you won’t think me presumptuous but I really want to figure out how to play it and maybe sing in a restaurant here. I could never get the sound you do as I play alone (so far) but it’s a fun song. I won’t record without permission. I just want to be able to do it. What say?

—S.S., Astoria, OR

I recently bought your album Dillon Bustin’s Almanac and have fallen in love with the song “This Time of Year.” I just unearthed my old guitar from my parents’ house and would love to be able to play “This Time of Year “ on it. (To celebrate the coming of Fall!) Could you send me chords/music for this song? I’d greatly appreciate it. Again, I love your album and hope to see another in the June Appal catalog soon. Do you ever perform in NYC?

—N.B., New York, NY

I want to let you know how much I enjoy your record—I play it a lot. Some of the songs jumped out at me right away and the others just crept in, but they’re all great. I enjoy the music and the poetry and the ideas put out. The accompaniment is just right and the Mary Azarian woodcuts make the album a pleasure for the eyes as well as the ears. What else can I say? I love it. Thanks again.

—J.S., Carlisle, MA

I really felt compelled to write you this letter to let you know my feelings about Almanac. At a Dalglish/Larsen/Sutherland concert in Baltimore last April, I admired a number of your songs which they sang, so purchased your record. I must admit, it didn’t bowl me over at first. But then, wanting to hear it some more, I taped it and took it in the car when my friend and I went to Nova Scotia this summer. The farther we went, the more we played Almanac, and we finally began to hear all the words.

Since then, I cannot listen to “Mae Smith” without a shiver or a tear. Somehow that one really hits home with us. I don’t think anyone ever considered the person’s feelings who was giving up their songs to a collector. “Gardening” and “More Wood” hit home with a bang, since my friend lives in a farmhouse and we run into all the problems you sing about. The other songs, while more subtle, grew on us as well. By the time we returned home, your words were intimate friends, and we were amazed at how much we had in common with the writer of the words.

I am definitely not a writer of fan mail, and my words fall sadly short of what I want to convey to you, but I wanted you to know that you have touched and enriched our lives with your thoughts and music. And we thank you.

—B.S., Baltimore, MD

I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed Almanac. It’s been wonderful company while crisscrossing Massachusetts and New York. The miracle of auto-rewind gives me endless loops of your songs—and they’re such good songs. Lots of good rhythms, varied instrumentals, and such sweet, rooted, caring lyrics. They energize and fill me with longing for the connection and belonging you sing of. Anyway, thanks so much for the songs—they’ve eased partings with friends, kept me company on long drives into the night, made me feel good, warm, and sad at the same time. Take care. Would like to hear/see more of your creativity. I’ll keep my ears and eyes open.

—D.S., Brooklyn, NY

I want to tell you how much I enjoy your record, Dillon Bustin’s Almanac. I’ve been a fan of Malcolm Dalglish, Grey Larsen, and Pete Sutherland for a couple of years now. I heard them perform several of your songs in concert and really enjoyed them. So…when I read they had helped produce an album of your songs, I knew I had to have it.

Somehow I expected all your pieces to be in the “Gardening”/”More Wood” vein. (I really like those songs, by the way.) I was unprepared for the melodious beauty of some of your other songs. The unexpected sweetness of “Moonshine in the White Pines” and “Show Me a Sign,” for example, is a real delight. “Mae Smith” touches me each time I hear it. I like the rhythm and humor in “Shantyboatin,” and love to whistle along with it. My favorite on this album, I think, is “La Belle Riviere;” the chorus is lovely. (I’ve never seen the Ohio; is it still a beautiful river?)

Actually, I just wanted to tell you that I do like your songs. Am glad you got your friends to record them with you. It’s a fun, funny, touching album—keep up the good work!

—J.H., Boise, ID