From the Mailbag & Miscellaneous Quotes . . .

The quotes on this page have been sent to me
via snail mail or e-mail, or have been lifted from published articles as noted. We’ll start with my favorite. ~ Geoff

You’re better than Madonna!"
~ Chris Cowley, 4th Grader, Syracuse, New York, 1985

May 2005
Geoff,
I believe you are a true master (because) you exhibit the common denominator of mastery: you perform in a way that is so relaxed and effortless that those watching you feel they could do it, too. This is a phenomenon common to all high level skills, not just the arts. A master chef, an advanced martial artist, or a master carpenter all ply their trade in a way that elicits a similar feeling.

April 2005
In this bottomless ocean of mediocre and plain bad music, I become disgusted and wish to escape it all. But your show last night revived me. I was reminded that there are a few, and very few, at that, artists who present the music with love and tenderness and who possess the skills to take us on a journey with so many wonderful stops along the way. You moved beautifully from song form to song form and before we realized it, we had learned much of what this music is about, and how it should be played.That you were able to take some of your personal darkness and build parts of your show around it was both brave and brilliant. Your thorough command of the stage and the room was comforting to us all. The apparent ease of your guitar playing and your expressive vocals were magnificent. I sure needed that.

April 2005
Geoff,
Each time I see you I get a deeper appreciation of your depth as a musician and a person. You are a princely musician, walking the "path of effortless mastery". Your version of God Bless the Child is truly your own. It amazes me how good you are at doing that (making songs your own). That ability bespeaks your incredible talent and also your devotion to the craft and art of writing, imagining, and laying yourself open to the possible, your tireless work. I feel very lucky to be getting further tastes of your music and your presence at this time in my life. I have been feeling quite confused about a lot of things lately. I am also grateful to you for taking notice of my own efforts in the creative realms. These mountains all around! It is daunting indeed but so inspiring at the same time!
May I also say that the more I listen to you and talk with you, the more I find in you a kindred spirit? Your perception of the world as a place full of darkness and suffering and yet offering rare "moments of grace which redeem" is like my own in a lot of ways. Equally, your recognition of fellow planetary inhabitants as somehow our equals in all their diversity and beauty, resonates with my own.

It was great to see you and great to hear you play. I have felt for a long time that you're about as good as it gets... great songs, amazing guitar playing, wonderful, dry repartee... I don't know anybody who does it better than you. I've always left one of your performances feeling both moved and entertained, and reminded of what I love about folk music when it's done really well.
~ from the mail bag, 2002

"Bartley’s subject matter and use of language reveal an uplifting intelligence... hot guitar too."
~ Richard Cromelin, The Los Angeles Times, 1984

Geoff Bartley, local demigod of guitar, among other things, is giving a concert this Saturday (the 9th) in Natick which you should consider going to. Geoff does his own songs... some good, some great, some whacky, none self absorbed. He also sings stuff by other people, from Lemon Jefferson to Mose Allison to John Prine, in ways that make the songs speak again. What he is astonishing at is playing intricate, improvised guitar while he sings. It's like watching someone doing embroidery and racing a motorcycle at the same time, except that swell music comes out.
~ from the mail bag, 2002

"Geoff Bartley is folk music at its best."
~ Music Reviews Quarterly, Arden, North Carolina, 1999

"(Bartley) is a world-class guitarist, a resonantly emotional singer and a brilliant songwriter with a gift for provocatively personal imagery set to lovely musical landscapes. He has nine excellent recordings under his belt and is respected throughout the folk music world... he has become a precious... gifted... resource in the folk world... both an inspiration and a mentor..."
~ Scott Alarik, The Boston Globe, 1994

"Geoff Bartley is the spiritual godfather of the Cambridge folk scene."
~ Craig Harris, Dirty Linen, Baltimore, Maryland, 1992

I've just listened to the CD (One Kind Word) for my fourth time. It is really wonderful... great playing, singing, and just wonderful writing. I feel like putting Noah's Ark on a tape loop so I can learn the words. You are such a wonderful writer. Some of the songs on the CD stand up to some of the best of your employer Paxton (whose work I'm pretty familiar with and who is also very good). I always feel so fortunate when I get a chance to hear you perform.
~ from the mail bag, 2002

To other guitar players, guitarists usually fall into two camps; the ones who, when you hear them, you think “I could do that”, and the ones who make you think “How the HELL does he do that?” Geoff Bartley is squarely in the latter camp. He is a finger-style guitar virtuoso, his voice like your favorite pair of Levis, his mastery of urban contemporary, acoustic blues, and traditional songwriting styles, and his stage presence are a very hard combination for anyone to beat. I can just listen to him over and over.
~ from the mail bag, 2003

As you know, Geoff, this worldly thing is a bit of a tough gig... it is hard to remain true to yourself and stay on this road filled with potholes, blind curves, and yes, rude and careless drivers too. I think your gift, besides your great music, is your ability to allow people to know you. Up on stage you are the real personality, not a caricature... people get who you are and they get that you have not given up, and that you have self respect, dignity, and the refinement of a true artist. I am not saying that there is not struggle with this, but it is what I get when you are onstage, when you are drawing from the well.
~from the mailbag, April 2003