Vocalist Eriksen evokes bygone era

Tim Eriksen firmly believes that singing is about to enjoy a renaissance and he is spreading that gospel with a missionary’s zeal. The multi-instrumentalist and vocalist  -- legendary producer T-Bone Burnett has called him “one of the best singers in music” -- is augmenting his current tour with vocal workshops in hopes of kindling a popular singing resurgence.

“Everybody used to sing. You couldn’t get by without singing,” Eriksen said by phone, referencing an era that predates electronic distractions. “I started doing these workshops to share and it’s become part of my work.”

Eriksen’s Massachusetts childhood was steeped in song, thanks to music-loving parents.

“My earliest musical memory is of a visit to a whaling museum,” he said. “When we got home, my dad played a record of whaling ballads. I learned to connect music with history. If I went to a cemetery or historic site, I would wonder what kind of music those people listened to.”

His path was set when he happened upon the Sacred Harp songbook, an 1844 tome that uses geometric symbols (“shape notes”) in place of musical notes to teach untrained choir members the hymns.

“It wasn’t an epiphany. It was more of a slow burn,” Eriksen said. “My interest simmered for a few years, but pretty soon I was seeking out other Sacred Harp singers.”

Enraptured by punk rock, Eriksen formed “folk noise” ensemble Cordelia’s Dad, which specialized in amped-up versions of dusty classics like “Loch Lomond” and “Will the Circle be Unbroken.” Eight albums and international exposure brought him to the attention of Burnett, who tapped Eriksen’s talents for the 2003 Civil War epic, “Cold Mountain.” Eriksen found himself on location in Romania, coaching the likes of Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and a cadre of extras in the shape-note style. His arrangement of “The Scarlet Tide,” performed by Alison Krauss in the film, was nominated for an Oscar.

The singer’s latest solo release, “Soul of the January Hills,” strips his vocal gifts down to their barest essence. Performed entirely a cappella and recorded in a single one-hour take in the tower of an ancient Polish abbey, the album finds Eriksen’s burnished baritone caressing such traditional American artifacts as “Amazing Grace” and the 15th Century ballad “John Randolph.”

Eriksen’s expertise will be on display during a busy Atlanta stop. Lovers of song will be treated to a vocal workshop at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, followed by a solo acoustic performance. The next night finds Eriksen at the Earl as part of a duo with bluegrass master Riley Baugus.

Eriksen bristles at the “American Idol”-inspired notion that a singer must somehow “earn” the right to belt out a tune.

“I’m not opposed to professionalism,” he said. “I am opposed to people feeling like they can’t sing because they don’t sound like Mariah Carey.”

Concert Preview

Who: Tim Eriksen

What: Vocal workshop

When 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Where: St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 163 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta. 404-593-0022. info@awakemysoul.com.Voluntary donation.

Solo acoustic: 8:30 p.m. ($8).