Doug Mishkin is a Folk singer and songwriter known for his involvement in folk music and his song Woody Children, a tribute to the enduring legacy of Woody Guthrie. He has been inspired by folk music since from his young age. “I was born the night my mother took me to my first Pete Seeger concert,” Doug says, “and I came of age at the campfire where I first heard the songs of Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs, and the rest of that crew. Those songs spoke to me—and they still do.”
We believe Music should not only sound good, but it should also be mean something, say something and Tip Of The Spear does just that for us. This is not just another Folk music, it is a powerful and emotional ride through the heart of what it means to care and to fight for what is right.
Doug Mishkin is a household name in the Folk music world, and he is someone people listen to. He has been writing songs that tells stories about Justice, family, loss, love and the world we live in. His song Woody’s Children released years back was an anthem and years later, he’s back with that energy and passion which he shows in his latest album Tip Of The Spear.
Listening to Doug is like listening to a close friend talk to you around a campfire. The calm in his voice and how he shares his sound is something you’ll love. His new album is honest, and it is beautifully written. The title of the album already sets the tone for the album; it is clear and purposeful. The album is a call to action for all of us to step up and be part of the change we want to see. The music embodies simplicity, but the message is beyond powerful.
One of the most intense song on the album titled If They’d Been Black speaks about racial justice with it’s unforgettable line “If they’d been black, they’d all be dead”. Mishkin forces us to face the truth about the inequality that goes on in the world. It needs to be heard.
Save Your Prayers follows the same spirit as the track is a challenge to those who offer thoughts and prayers but they’re not part of the real change. All they do is pray but shy away from the real work it takes to make the world a better place. Every word, every lyric in this track matters and holds importance.
What makes Tip of the Spear stand out even more is that it does not focus on only the big issues, it addresses even the tiniest ones. The album is personal. In songs like Sweet Sycamore Street and Pour Me Another Wine, He looks back on old friends and old love. Every detail in this song is real and it feels like you are flipping through a photo album with him.
Songs like Smitten, show a playful tune that reveals Mishkin hasn’t lost his sense of humor. It’s the type of song that has you humming for days. Another song in the Album is Who Knew, a heartwarming song about the surprise joys of becoming a grandparent. It might make you tear up.
The album would not be complete without Woody’s Children. This new version breathes new life into the classic, reminding us that folk music is not just history, it is alive and it still makes a difference. When Mishkin sings “We are all woody’s children” it feels like a mission.
Tip of the Spear is one album you should add to your playlist. It is not the regular album you listen to just once; it is something you sit with. The type that’s perfect to listen to while you do chores and just enjoy the background music as you listen with your whole heart.
The album is alive and filled with thoughts and emotions. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been a fan of Folk and you are just discovering it, Tip of the Spear is the type that reminds you why music matters. Do yourself a favor and go listen.
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