"He invented the notion of being a professional songwriter," Cockrell continued. "He completely changed the way we think about American culture, musical culture, and musical commerce. One thing I really like about this album is that it becomes clear that in Foster we can find whatever we want to find. We can find the elements for a Country Music style, a bluegrass style, a rock style, a jazz style. Foster's music synthesized the American experience to a point where it's still pertinent."
Cockrell also points out that Foster "started the movement towards putting the most important musical material in the chorus as opposed to the verses, where it had been for hundreds of years." And yes, Foster invented the hook, too.
Performers on the tribute CD said Foster's songs stand up.
Chapman, a successful songwriter, chose a Foster song that had never been recorded, "In The Eye Abides The Heart."
"I was so delighted to find this song because I loved what it said," Chapman said. "To have that large a body of work completely adaptable into today is a real mark of genius. Here's a man who, all this time later, his songs are still tremendously valuable to us."
The song features Gabe Rhodes on the pump organ and the glass armonica, invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. Ball chose "Old Folks At Home (Swanee River)," one of Foster's best-known songs, because it spoke to his heritage.
"I'm from the Deep South and I really identified with the song," Ball said. "The song just kind of lifts the weight off of you."
Ball feels a personal connection to Foster.
"I have an old book that has Stephen Foster songs in it," he said. "I remember reading about how he would walk in the woods and songs would come to him. And I just identified with that, because that's exactly what I would do - get quiet and get out walking way out somewhere in the middle of nowhere and all of a sudden I would be humming a melody."
In an interview with the L.A. Times last spring, Bob Dylan reflected on how he learned to write songs. "Anyone who wants to be a songwriter should listen to as much folk music as they can, study the form and structure of stuff that has been around for 100 years. I go back to Stephen Foster," Dylan said.
Beautiful Dreamer features musicians and instruments from around the world. Sessions took place in seven cities. Other artists featured on the CD include Will Barrow, Grey De Lisle, The Duhks, Judith Edelman, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Henry Kaiser, Roger McGuinn, Ollabelle, Ron Sexsmith, Michelle Shocked with Pete Anderson, and Mavis Staples.
Kaiser's instrumental "Autumn Waltz" showcases Robin Petrie on the santour, a 17th century instrument native to Turkey, Iran and Iraq and similar to the modern-day hammered dulcimer. The track also features percussionist Mark Bell on the davul or Turkish bass drum; the riqq, an Egyptian tambourine; and the Persian toumbak or wooden hand drum.
Some artists went to great lengths to create a timeless setting. De Lisle recorded her vocals through vintage microphones and recording gear, then mastered directly to vinyl and finally, re-played the vinyl phonograph disc and recorded it digitally. One can hear the needle drop at the top of her track.
Beautiful Dreamer is a momentous launch for the Nashville-based American Roots Publishing, and a fund-raiser toward Saviano's goal of supporting "the music and books and art and film that should be produced because they are an important part of our cultural heritage." In the works are a novel by Texas Country rocker Joe Ely, a book of photos and essays by John McEuen of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band tracing his career, and a memoir/DVD by The Staple Singers.
Meanwhile, countless new listeners are rediscovering Foster's songs and learning about him thanks to Beautiful Dreamer.
"This is one project that is long overdue," said Chapman, "and I am so happy that a bunch of people are going to hear these songs that might not have otherwise."
