By cave 
Mick Harvey: A Versatile Musical Pioneer
Mick Harvey, born on August 29, 1958, in Rochester, Victoria, Australia, is a highly versatile musician, composer, and producer. He began his career in the 1970s and gained recognition as one of the founding members of The Boys Next Door, which later evolved into The Birthday Party and eventually Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. His collaboration with Nick Cave spanned decades, playing a crucial role in shaping their distinctive sound.
Beyond his work with Cave, Harvey has built an impressive solo career, releasing multiple albums, including One Man’s Treasure (2005) and FOUR (Acts of Love) (2013). His passion for French music led him to reinterpret and translate Serge Gainsbourg’s songs in albums such as Intoxicated Man and Pink Elephants.
Harvey is also a respected film composer, having created soundtracks for various films and documentaries. His production work includes collaborations with PJ Harvey, co-producing several of her albums, including Let England Shake, which earned him the British Producer of the Year award in 2011.
His influence on the alternative music scene is undeniable, and he continues to be active with new projects and performances.
Amanda Acevedo: A Visionary Mexican Singer and Visual Artist
Amanda Acevedo is a Mexican singer and visual artist from San Luis Potosí. She first gained recognition through her collaboration with Mick Harvey on Phantasmagoria in Blue (2023).
Before her involvement in music projects, Amanda studied film in Mexico between 2020 and 2021. She is currently based in Melbourne, Australia, where she is pursuing further studies and working on creative projects.
Her artistic approach blends melancholic storytelling with hauntingly beautiful melodies, making her a unique presence in contemporary music. Through her collaborations, she has helped reinterpret forgotten musical legacies, bringing them into a new light.
Jackson C. Frank: The Forgotten Folk Legend
Jackson C. Frank, born on March 2, 1943, in Buffalo, New York, was a deeply influential yet often overlooked folk musician. His life was marked by tragedy from an early age—at just 11 years old, he survived a devastating school fire that left him with severe burns over much of his body. This traumatic event not only affected his physical health but also had lasting repercussions on his mental well-being.
Despite these hardships, Frank found solace in music. He received an insurance settlement for his injuries, which allowed him to travel to England, where he immersed himself in the burgeoning folk scene. There, he befriended artists like Paul Simon, who produced his only album, Jackson C. Frank, in 1965. The album featured haunting, introspective songs, including Blues Run the Game, which became his most enduring composition and was later covered by artists such as Simon & Garfunkel, Nick Drake, and Bert Jansch.
Frank’s career, however, was short-lived. Struggling with depression and schizophrenia, he faced immense personal challenges that prevented him from maintaining a steady musical output. He spent much of his later life in poverty and obscurity, battling mental illness and homelessness. Despite his tragic fate, his music continues to resonate, influencing generations of folk musicians and earning him posthumous recognition as one of the genre’s most poignant voices3.
Golden Mirrors (The Uncovered Sessions Vol. 1): A Tribute to Frank
Mick Harvey and Amanda Acevedo created Golden Mirrors as a tribute to Jackson C. Frank, a folk singer whose work was largely forgotten but had a profound impact on later artists.
Amanda discovered Frank’s music through Spotify and was deeply moved by his song Milk & Honey. As she delved further into his work and tragic life story, she realized that his unique approach to songwriting was something she wanted to share with Mick. Together, they explored his music and decided to expand and reshape his minimalist compositions—usually just vocals and guitar—in the studio.
The project initially began as a contribution to an Italian compilation but evolved into a full album with 11 songs that follow Frank’s shadowed, half-forgotten legacy.
Below is a track-by-track comparison:
Golden Mirror – The album opens with a dreamy atmosphere, where Acevedo’s vocals evoke Mazzy Star. Frank’s version was minimalistic, while Harvey and Acevedo add layered instrumentation.
My Name is Carnival – One of Frank’s most famous songs, also featured in the film Joker. Harvey and Acevedo give it a cinematic quality with strings and a deeper bass.
The Night of the Blues – The original version was a stark ballad, while Harvey and Acevedo enrich it with a melancholic orchestration.
Cover Me with Roses – Harvey adds an eerie feel to this track, while Acevedo’s voice takes on an ethereal quality.
The Visit – The original version was understated, but Harvey and Acevedo build it up dramatically with subtle percussion.
Marcy’s Song – Written by Frank about lost love, this song gains a new dimension through Acevedo’s harmonies.
Blues Run the Game – Perhaps Frank’s most iconic song. Harvey and Acevedo preserve its essence but add cinematic depth.
I Want to be Alone (Dialogue) – An introspective piece that, in its new version, takes on a more haunting tone.
Have You Seen the Unicorns – Harvey and Acevedo infuse this song with a mysterious, almost psychedelic twist.
October – The original version was fragile and delicate, while Harvey and Acevedo give it a warmer, fuller sound.
Juliette – A closing track that honors the melancholy of Frank’s work, but with a modern production touch.
Conclusion
With Golden Mirrors, Mick Harvey and Amanda Acevedo pay tribute to Jackson C. Frank, transforming his sparse folk into a richer, more layered experience. The album is a loving reconstruction of Frank’s work, breathing new life into his melancholic lyrics and melodies.
Playlist
I’ve created an Apple Music playlist where each track from Mick Harvey’s album is placed alongside the original version by Jackson C. Frank. It’s the perfect way to compare and understand how Harvey and Amanda Acevedo have reinterpreted and transformed the original songs.