Quick Q and A with Cliff Eberhardt
 by Kathy S-B  ·  5 March 2008

Here’s a little glimpse into the genius of Cliff Eberhardt. We’ve all enjoyed and been inspired by his wonderful songs for many years. Each of his recordings are first-rate. It’s always interesting to check out allmusic.com and see what they have to say about artists. One of their features includes a list of adjectives that describes the music — for Cliff, those adjectives are: intimate, poignant, reflective, earnest, organic, and literate. I might add rootsy and raw to that list as well. And Cliff is funny as hell too. Check out this terrific video of “The High Above and the Low Below.” You can also find out all about what Cliff is up to at his website: www.cliffeberhardt.net

The recording of “The High Above and the Down Below” sounds like it was a unique experience for you — more of a live recording in the studio than a traditional session in which the producer pieces it all together over time. Was it fun? Or was it more intense than other recording sessions you’ve had in the past?

When we started recording the high above and the down below, I was singing and playing the guitar with the band to get the basic tracks down. Then the producer ( Eric Peltonimi ) decided that the raw vocals worked. So it became a live recording by circumstance.

If you had to choose one song of yours to be included in a definitive collection of recorded folk music, which one would it be and why?

I think my song “The Long Road” says more about my life than any other song. It is my pride and joy.

You’ve been in the music business for many years and have seen many aspects of it — what’s your opinion of the current scene? And where do you see it going in the next 5–10 years?

I think the digital age has changed everything. Now a lot of singer songwriters have their own labels. I don’t think that there will be record labels in 10 years. I can’t guess the way it will be. The future is wide open.

In terms of your own writing style, what comes first — the words or the music? Do songs come to you in bits and pieces or do you work on them for a time, put them aside, and go back to them later when the spirit moves you?

I count on inspiration to write. I write the lyrics and the melody at the same time so that they influence each other, then I edit.