Naked to the World

Naked to the World functions chiefly as an outlet for the literate and melodic folk compositions of singer/songwriter Kevin Fisher. Once a rock & roll enthusiast holding a degree in English literature, Fisher turned to folk because he believed it offered a more receptive format for his poetic lyrics; he launched his professional path as a solo act and as a staff songwriter at a Nashville publishing company. The group itself took shape only in 1993, when violinist Daryl S.—trained in classical, jazz, and folk idioms and linked to the Turtle Island String Quartet—sought out Fisher. Their self-titled debut album centered on the interplay between these two musicians, yet by the 1996 release of Pilgrim's Kiss the project had grown into a six-piece ensemble. David James contributed guitar while also handling mandolin, mandola, violin, viola, and baritone ukelele; Darby Orr took up bass duties, David Casanova covered drums, and Jeff Gross supplied percussion. Daryl S., then a new mother, exited before recording began on the third album, Glass Half Empty. With Bill Cinque now on bass and Peter Tornell on drums, the revised configuration leaned into a tougher, rock-driven direction.