{{Short description|American singer-songwriter (1944–2019)}} {{distinguish|Bob Franke}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Bob Frank | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Robert Landis Frank | birth_date = {{birth date|1944|02|26}} | birth_place = Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2019|07|18|1944|02|26}} | instrument = Singer-songwriter | genre = folk | occupation = musician, songwriter, composer, arranger | years_active = 1969–1973, 2001–2019 | label = Vanguard Records, Bowstring Records, Evangeline, Memphis International, Decor | associated_acts = | website = [http://www.bobfranksongs.com] | current_members = | past_members = }}
'''Robert Landis Frank''' (February 26, 1944 – July 18, 2019)<ref>{{cite web |title=Cult Singer-Songwriter Bob Frank Dead at 75 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2051909/cult-singersongwriter-bob-frank-passed-away/obit/ |website=Stereogum |accessdate=July 21, 2019 |date=July 20, 2019}}</ref> was an American musician, singer-songwriter and composer. His debut self-titled record was issued on Vanguard Records in 1972 to critical acclaim and is a collector's item<ref name="Bob Frank Biography">Ruhlmann, William and McGregor, Don [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=bob-frank-p30274/biography|pure_url=yes}} Bob Frank Biography], ''All Music Guide''.</ref> that was reissued on Light in the Attic in 2014. He co-wrote, recorded and toured with Mississippi/Memphis singer-songwriter John Murry, shared a stage with Gus Cannon, Jimmy Driftwood, Lightning Hopkins, Tim Buckley and Townes Van Zandt, and was a paid songwriter for Tree Publishing.<ref name="Bob Frank Biography"/> He lived in El Sobrante, California.
Frank's 20th century version of the late Middle English classic, "A Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode" (Child Ballad #117), released on Bowstring Records in 2001, received rave reviews from English professors, music critics, historians, actors, college professors, school teachers and Oxford dons. {{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}
==Critical reception== Though not widely known, Frank's songs have earned wide critical acclaim. Jim Dickinson, a producer for Big Star and a Memphis music legend, called Frank "the greatest songwriter you never heard."<ref>Official Bio [http://www.decorrecords.com/artists/bfjm.html Decor Records Bio] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709005346/http://www.decorrecords.com/artists/bfjm.html |date=July 9, 2011 }}, 2008.</ref> In ''Rolling Stone'', Senior Editor David Fricke called Frank's debut "beautifully stark" and compared him to Warren Zevon.<ref>Official web site [http://www.bobfrankandjohnmurry.net/clippings.cfm "Fricke's Picks, Rolling Stone] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723030420/http://www.bobfrankandjohnmurry.net/clippings.cfm |date=July 23, 2011 }}, 2008.</ref> Frank's collaboration with singer-songwriter John Murry on 2006 LP ''World Without End'' was praised in the ''Village Voice'', ''Uncut'', ''Rolling Stone'', ''The Irish Times'' and ''The Independent'' UK.<ref>Official Web Site [http://www.bobfrankandjohnmurry.net/clippings.cfm "Fricke's Picks, Rolling Stone] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723030420/http://www.bobfrankandjohnmurry.net/clippings.cfm |date=July 23, 2011 }}.</ref> His songs have been recorded by Jim Dickinson, Chris LeDoux, Gary McMahan, and others.<ref>Fink, Matt [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=free-beer-tomorrow-r610247|pure_url=yes}} Free Beer Tomorrow Review], ''All Music Guide''.</ref>
==Discography==
===Albums===
* ''Bob Frank'' (Vanguard Records, 1972) * ''A Little Gest of Robin Hood'' (Bowstring Records, 2001) * ''Keep On Burning'' (Bowstring Records, 2002) * ''Pledge of Allegiance'' (Bowstring Records, 2004) * ''Ride the Restless Wind'' (Bowstring Records, 2005) * ''World Without End'' (Bowstring Records, 2006; Evangeline – US, Decor – UK, 2007) * ''The Gunplay EP'' (Evangeline – US, Decor – UK, 2007) * ''Red Neck, Blue Collar'' (Memphis International, 2008) * ''Brinkley, Arkansas, and Other Assorted Love Songs'' (Evangeline, 2009) * ''The Scenic Route'' (Bowstring Records, 2010) * ''Twilight in Tolleson'' (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2016) * ''By the Light of the Lamp'' (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2017) * ''Squeeze It Easy'' (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2017) * ''Dancing in Dallas'' (Nomad Records of Tolleson, AZ, 2018)
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://bobfranksongs.com/ Bob Frank's Official Site ] * [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=bob-frank-p30274|pure_url=yes}} Bob Frank at Allmusic] * {{Discogs artist|Bob Frank}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Frank, Bob}} Category:1944 births Category:2019 deaths Category:American male singer-songwriters Category:Country blues singers Category:American alternative country singers Category:American folk singers Category:Songster musicians Category:Singers from Memphis, Tennessee Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:People from El Sobrante, Contra Costa County, California Category:Country musicians from Tennessee Category:Singer-songwriters from Tennessee Category:Singer-songwriters from California