Darryl Purpose really likes a good story and as such he has leaned into
them whenever they come near.A master of the ‘narrative’ folk tradition, Purpose has earned a
reputation as a top-shelf songwriter and performer with a keen eye for
detail and an uncanny knack for subtle twists that engage his listeners
through his unusual, beautiful melodies and personal stories. For his
new release, Two Good Hands EP, Purpose offers with just three songs a
compelling, somewhat-off-center outing that sweeps up the listener with
brilliant imagery and engaging vocals.The project was recorded in 2021, Purpose, a Blackjack Hall of Fame
member, explains. “Those
are two of the best two hands in blackjack,” he explains. “Thus the
title.”
Before recording began, Purpose heard what he deemed “the best music
ever made by a humans.” It was the album “Soil In The Sky” by Heather
Maloney. Purpose reached out to the producer, Ryan Hommel, and shortly
afterward they were working on these tracks. Hommel, is known for his
work with not only Maloney, but also Seth Glier and Amos Lee. Purpose
says. “He
did a masterful job with these songs.”
Purpose’s love for telling stories is almost as compelling as the life
he’s made for himself. As a teenager, he hitchhiked to Las Vegas and
began a legendary career playing blackjack. A few years later he joined
a “March for Peace” that began in Los Angeles and walked across the
country to Washington, DC. He then continued on to walk in the then
Soviet Union. He began performing music on the marches, including
participating in the first ever outdoor stadium concert in Russian
history, produced by the legendary Bill Graham and featuring Santana,
James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt and others.
In his thirties, Purpose began his current vocation as a performing
songwriter. He has released 8+ albums of original material. The previous
two, Still The Birds and Next Time Around, spent weeks at #1 for airplay
on Roots Music Report. His 2021 single release, Dave Carter’s Gentle
Arms Of Eden, was the #1 played song in the world on the FolkDJ list for
July 2021.
Purpose is inspired by the love of friends, the teachings of Thich Nhat
Hanh, and the beauty of trees, water, and land – especially mountains.