I am so excited about Larry's new CD that I wanted to share my thoughts with all of you. Jym Larry Penn's new CD, War Stories, is a masterwork by one of Milwaukee's finest folk music performers. On this excellent CD Larry explores the feelings and concerns of working people serving in times of war. He collects satirical ballads made up and sung in barracks by the working stiffs in uniform ("Army Life," "The Daring Young Man in a P-39") and popular songs like "Lili Marlene" and Woody Guthrie's "Reuben James," then adds some of his own well-crafted songs ("The Sullivans," "Dewey Pratt," "Sins of the Father") for a whole that is very much more than the sum of its parts. The songs reference America's wars from World War I up through Iraq, with echoes of earlier conflicts (note the inclusion of the Civil War era fiddle tune "Soldier's Joy" in "Dewey Pratt"). Larry has never been captured in better performing shape. His guitar picking is rock solid, and he sings with a confidence and nuance that many a younger performer would well envy. Just listen to the sweet sadness he brings to "Lili Marlene," or the anger that drives "Sins of the Father." The original songs reflect a lifetime of careful thought and observation of human nature. Whether he is creating a portrait of a demanding drill instructor ("Sgt. Plisco") or bringing the WWI chestnut "Hinky Dinky Parley Vous" to new life in a wickedly funny 21st century update, Larry displays again and again why his songwriting is deeply respected across the country. The songs are arranged with a spare grace, featuring occasional embellishments of banjo, guitar, and accordion that enhance but never detract from the heart of each song. War Stories may well be Larry's finest achievement to date, a deeply mature and riveting work that bears repeated listenings well. Each song is a delight, and taken as a whole the result is a stunning and moving tribute to our citizen soldiers.