An introduction to this sound recording, by Alexander Gelfand, Ph.D Sometimes, simple is best. We live in an age of wonders: an age of low-fat soy beverages, electric cellphones, and the global Interweb. But for all we have gained, we have lost something, too. In our relentless quest for progress, we have sacrificed quality of life for standard of living. Our forebears may have skimped on extravagances like leisure time, shoes, and proper oral hygiene. But they were authentic. They had integrity – the kind you can only get from dirt farming, or tractor pulling, or an old-fashioned cholera epidemic. Most of us will never have the luxury of experiencing this stuff for ourselves. But we do have the next best thing. We have Tangleweed. Thanks to the craft and dedication of these five men, we can all vicariously return to a golden era. An era before public education, universal vaccination programs, and the Social Security Administration destroyed so much of our moral fiber. An era when a man could commit murder in both the first and second degrees (\"Little Sadie\") before settling down sick in a lonely bed (\"Lay Down My Guitar\") and kissing his \"Short Life of Trouble\" goodbye. Good times. So sit back, fire up the hi-fi, and bask in these songs of heartbreak, poverty, and death. It doesn\'t get any better, or more real, than this. And for that, I think we can all be grateful.