The Christian Underground Encyclopedia

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
====== Denison Witmer ======

Folk\\
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

Denison Witmer is an American singer-songwriter from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. His first release, in 1995, was a cassette titled //My Luck, My Love//. He has since released six studio LPs; two live albums, a cover album (//Recovered//); three EPs; and an LP with The River Bends — a side project consisting of members of the Philadelphia-based alt-country band One Star Hotel. Witmer's 2005 album, //Are You a Dreamer?//, produced by Don Peris of [[The Innocence Mission]] and featuring [[Sufjan Stevens]], received acclaim, including positive reviews from //Pitchfork Media// and //Entertainment Weekly//. Witmer and Stevens appeared on [[Rosie Thomas]]'s 2007 album //These Friends of Mine//, an album which included Rosie Thomas' version of "Paper Doll," a track originally written and recorded by Witmer. Witmer toured with Rosie Thomas in support of that album in venues across the US and Europe.

Witmer's style has been described as "neo-folk." He has also been compared to 1970s-era singer-songerwriters, including Cat Stevens and Nick Drake. Witmer's lyrics are poetic and thoughtful; his guitar work, while simple-sounding, relies on complex finger-picking.

Denison Witmer was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was raised Mennonite and attended Lancaster Mennonite School. His guitar teacher was Don Peris.

Before becoming a full-time musician, Witmer worked in the greenhouse which his family owned.

Witmer's and all of his brothers' full names have the initials "DSW."

Witmer released a cassette tape titled //My Luck, My Love// in 1995. The album was recorded as a project for an English class during Witmer's senior year of high school. Only 250 copies were made, and the album was given to family and friends. Though //My Luck, My Love// is Witmer's first release, he does not view it as his true debut but as the extension of a hobby.

Witmer released his first album //Safe Away// in 1998. The album, produced by Don Peris, was first self-released by Witmer. He began playing shows in an effort to sell the one thousand copies produced. The album sold out, and indie label [[Burnt Toast Vinyl]] approached Witmer, asking to re-release it.

===== Discography =====

| 1995 | [[https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com/2022/11/15/denison-witmer-my-luck-my-love/|My Luck, My Love]] |
| 1997 | Safe Away |
| 1999 | River Bends EP | [[Velvet Blue Music]] |
| 2000 | Safe Away (reissue) | [[Burnt Toast Vinyl]] |
| 2001 | The '80s EP | [[Burnt Toast Vinyl]] |
| 2001 | Of Joy & Sorrow | [[Burnt Toast Vinyl]] |
| 2002 | River Bends EP (reissue) | [[Burnt Toast Vinyl]] |
| 2002 | Denison Witmer Live | [[Burnt Toast Vinyl]] |
| 2002 | Philadelphia Songs | [[Burnt Toast Vinyl]] |
| 2003 | Recovered | Fugitive Recordings |
| 2004 | Philadelphia Songs (reissue) | Bad Taste Records |
| 2005 | The River Bends ...And Flows into the Sea | Bad Taste Records |
| 2005 | Are You a Dreamer? | The Militia Group |
| 2006 | Safe Away (reissue) | The Militia Group |
| 2008 | Carry the Weight | The Militia Group |
| 2011 | The Ones Who Wait (limited release) | Mono Vs Stereo |
| 2012 | The Ones Who Wait | Asthmatic Kitty Records |
| 2013 | Denison Witmer | Asthmatic Kitty Records |
| 2020 | American Foursquare | Asthmatic Kitty Records |
| 2020 | Lancaster Country [single] | Asthmatic Kitty Records |

------

==== My Luck, My Love ====

1995 Independent

Denison Witmer - vocals, guitar

Ryan Burkhart - Guitar on "My Luck, My Love" and "Prayer Song"\\
Douglas Witmer - Background guitar on "Prayer Song"\\

  - So You Took My Love
  - Monday at 2:30
  - Lift My Head Up From My Knees
  - Good Cry
  - Take What You Need
  - My Luck, My Love
  - I’m On My Way
  - Master of Being Alone
  - Prayer Song
  - Say You’ll Stick Around

------

==== Safe Away ====

1997 Independent\\
2000 [[Burnt Toast Vinyl]] (btv024)\\
2006 [[Burnt Toast Vinyl]] (btv077) / The Militia Group (TMG047-2)

Denison Witmer - Vocals, guitar, organ, piano

Don Peris - Guitar, organ, bass\\
Daniel French - Bass on "Miles"\\
Scott French - Drums, harmonica on "Say You'll Stick Around" and "Meant to Be"\\
Kelli Cain - Vocals on "Meant to Be"

  - Steven (2:30)
  - Breathe in This Life (3:11)
  - Over My Head (2:49)
  - This and That (2:00)
  - Closer to the Sun (3:16)
  - What Will Stay? (2:19)
  - Miles (2:30)
  - Dain (3:49)
  - Los Angeles (2:17)
  - Around Everything (3:20)
  - I Would Call You Now (3:44)
  - Sarah's Bridge (0:58)
  - I Won't Leave / Broken (7:17)

== 2000 reissue bonus tracks ==

  - Broken (3:20)
  - Say You'll Stick Around (4:46)
  - Meant to Be (6:36)

------

==== River Bends EP ====

1999 [[Velvet Blue Music]] (VBM 036)\\
2002 [[Burnt Toast Vinyl]] (btv045)

Denison Witmer\\
Don Peris\\
Steven Yutzy

  - Healing Time (3:09)
  - Los Angeles (2:17)
  - St. Jude (3:02)
  - Steven (2:29)
  - You Got Me Good (6:24)

------

//(...to be continued...)//

------

===== Links =====

  * [[https://denisonwitmer.com/|Denison Witmer's website]]