Down River – In Search Of David Ackles
by Mark Brend
This book serves two main audiences. For those already familiar with David Ackles, it weaves together his life story and creative output. For newcomers, it offers an engaging introduction to a truly cult musician—one whose legacy prompts readers to explore his music and understand why artists like Elvis Costello, Elton John, and Phil Collins held him in such high regard. Though Ackles is often considered a lost genius by notable admirers, Mark Brend (a devoted fan himself) uses rich archival sources—including family, friends, and Ackles’ own words—to chronicle a life marked by both successes and setbacks. Despite any perceived failures, Ackles left a body of work that continues to resonate today, inspiring others to celebrate his artistry in their own ways.
The narrative reveals a well-researched account of a man immersed in music and storytelling from childhood, performing with family in religious and theatrical settings before becoming a child actor and academic. Ackles became a singer-songwriter more by circumstance than ambition. In the late 1960s, Elektra Records hired him as a staff songwriter, but when his songs didn't fit their roster, he began recording his own albums. His debut in 1968 received critical praise but failed commercially—a trend that continued with his next two albums. His third release, “American Gothic” (1972), was produced in the UK with the London Symphony Orchestra and The Salvation Army Choir, guided by lyricist Bernie Taupin. The album, praised as folk music’s answer to “Sergeant Pepper” or “Pet Sounds,” mixed Brechtian drama with the sensibilities of artists like Tim Hardin, Scott Walker, and Van Dyke Parks, yet still struggled in the marketplace despite strong reviews and promotion.
After this commercial disappointment, Ackles parted ways with Elektra. He later recorded a lo-fi album for Columbia, but after his advocate at the label departed, it received little attention. Brend describes Ackles' later years returning to academia and stage production, including a serious car accident that limited his piano playing and his untimely passing from lung cancer at age 62.
Both your reviewer and friends with whom the book has been discussed have found themselves delving into Ackles’ discography. Whether you listen to his music first or read about his life and work, “Down River” promises an absorbing experience. As the evenings grow longer, it’s a richly worthwhile read.
Down River is published by Jaw Bone Books and is widely available online and in bookstores.
