DOUG HOEKSTRA - **** (by Phil Mather)

Promoting a fifth album of quiet storytelling, this little-known Nashville singer-songwriter might just prove to be the musical discovery of the week. Hoekstra mines memories of his upbringing in Chicago’s suburbs – cue vignettes about discovering his brother’s record collection, chance meetings while riding the train to the city and simple acts of kindness, all capturing a lifetime in three minutes.

Check out this godfather of alternative narrative folk before he either makes it big or disappears forever. The charmingly dated family portrait on the album sleeve – all corn-fed optimism, elasticated bow tie and Colgate beams – is worth the price of admission alone.

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