After numerous requests, we have finally released the Folk Alley Player iPhone app! This FREE download from the iTunes App Store allows you to listen to Folk Alley any time and place you like. Our high-quality iPhone stream offers amazing audio quality, with a lower-quality option available for older phones or slower networks. Click here to find out more!
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Downtown Church, Patty Griffin's seventh album, is the equivalent of a slow walk into a field of wildflowers -- a journey in which you look up at a bluebird sky and take a deep breath with your eyes closed. It sounds like the soundtrack to a spiritual awakening, which makes sense, given that it's a gospel album: On it, two Griffin originals rub alongside gospel standards, including "Wade in the Water" and "Waiting for My Child."
It was EMI's Peter York who first suggested that Griffin record an album of gospel songs -- not such a strange idea, if you think about it. After all, she's got the huge vocal range necessary to sing gospel music, along with years of experience writing about life, loss, praise and sorrow. It's also not so strange when you consider that Griffin herself has long believed that gospel music is the foundation of, well, everything.
She got to work with Buddy Miller (among other friends, including Emmylou Harris, Jim Lauderdale and a couple members of the royal family of gospel, Regina and Ann McCrary), producing an album that's so mesmerizing, it's difficult to believe Griffin isn't a card-carrying member of The Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville. (That's where she recorded the album last January.)
But what makes Downtown Church even more relevant -- and, frankly, more touching -- is that Griffin says she's working through complicated feelings about religion and her own sense of faith. Downtown Church is her way of exploring those feelings. For the rest of us, the music is just plain good. And, for some of us, it's a feel-good re-introduction to ideas and feelings that might be uncomfortably familiar.
Folk Alley with Gene Shay now heard on Sirius XM The Village
Folk Alley is happy to annouce that folk DJ legend, Gene Shay, can now be heard on Sirius XM - Channel 15, The Village. Subscibers can tune in to Folk Alley with Gene Shay every Sunday from 6-8pm (ET), with an encore broadcast on Wednesdays at midnight (ET).
FolkAlley.com, in collaboration with WXPN in Philadelphia, also presents Folk Alley with Gene Shay each week - streaming Saturdays from 5-7pm (ET) and again on Wednesdays at the same time.
Gene Shay has been called "the dean of American folk DJs" and the "Godfather of Philadelphia Folk Music." Since 1962, Shay has produced folk music-centered radio programs and he can currently be heard weekly on Philadelphia's 88.5 WXPN on Sunday nights from 8 to 11 p.m. He has also emceed the Philadelphia Folk Festival from its beginnings in 1957. Shay's early interviews with artists including Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, John Denver, Tom Waits, Phil Ochs, Bonnie Raitt and Judy Collins were so well-known that bootleg copies of some still exist.
Folk Alley presents our December Holiday Stream featuring nearly 50 hours of a wide mix of Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice and winter music - hosted by Jim Blum. You'll hear everything from Sam Bush's "Sleigh Ride," to John McCutcheon's "Christmas in the Trenches." Robin and Linda Williams' "Shotgun Shells on a Christmas Tree," Ricky Skaggs' "Deck the Halls," and much more.
Lyle Lovett - "Natural Forces"
Willie Nelson - "American Classic"
Dixie Bee-Liners - "Susanville"
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - "Up From Below"
Ray Davies and the Crouch End Festival Chorus - "The Kinks Choral Collection"
Christine Kane - "Wide Awake"
Chris Smither - "Time Stands Still"
Patty Loveless - "Mountain Soul II"
James Keelaghan - "House of Cards"
Laura Love & Orville Johnson - "The Sweeter the Juice"
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - "Speed of Love"
Caroline Herring - "Golden Apples of the Sun"
Steep Canyon Rangers - "Deep in the Shade"
Joel Mabus - "No Worries Now"
There's something haunting about the way Lyle Lovett sings. His word choice and his distinctive phrasing explain why he was an instant success and why he is so imitated.
Recent albums were a bit rock n' roll or featured his "large" band, but Natural Forces is right down Folk Alley.
The title song concerns a restless soul heading west. Through the character in the song, Lovett playfully reminds us of ancient travelers on some of the same routes - the unfortunate pilgrimage by Native Americans on the Trail of Tears. Lyle is also an adept song chooser. "Whooping Crane," by Eric Taylor, is a deeply poetic narrative about the injustices that prevail. There are also joyful offerings - "Keep it in your Pantry" explores the draw of home and home cooking. We are provided both a country and a bluegrass version. By far the saddest song on the album is Vince Bell's "The Sun and Moon and Stars" If you are alone, and seemingly satisfied, wait till your heart connects with the singer's revelation during one of those "moments" of regret that we all have.
If you are drawn to Lyle's acoustic offerings, Natural Forces is in that style. Sam Bush and Stuart Duncan lead an impressive array of back up musicians.
This is only the second full length release by this Virginia based contemporary bluegrass sextet. Susanville is an album of road songs, and a concept album. In other words, each song connects as the characters are either leaving or returning to a small town named Susanville. Highlights are "Find Out," "I Need 18 wheels," "Brake Lights" and "In My Pocket." The group's co-leader, Buddy Woodward, hopes that the album becomes "the soundtrack for a movie in your mind." Due to the well crafted lyrics and arrangements, you do feel like you're watching a movie.
Susanville is the first of several concept albums which the group is planning.
Due to the band's history, this theatrical style should not be unexpected. Buddy was Musical Director for an off Broadway play about Loretta Lynn in New York some years back. Brandi Hart understudied every role and often appeared as a different character each night. They recognized each other's work ethic and creativity and the Dixie Bee-Liners carry those qualities forward. You can visit Folk Alley's Extras Section to watch video of the entire group being interviewed as well as performing.
They're back. One of America's first country-rock bands in the 1960's was The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. This group did traditional music a huge favor. At the height of their popularity in 1972, The Dirt Band gathered as many living authentic country musicians as possible to release Will The Circle Be Unbroken. Young fans of the group inadvertently discovered Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Jimmy Martin, and Mother Maybelle Carter. There were also two follow up releases (1989 and 2002).
Almost all of the early members are still in the band: Jeff Hanna, Jimmy Fadden, Bob Carpenter, and multi instrumentalist John McKeuen. The album's title song may be the best. Whether life is good to you at the moment or sour, it moves so quickly, those events will change in short order. The band hopes to make a point that we probably shouldn't get too excited or too disappointed, as everything is temporary. "Earthquake" is a light hearted swing parody about living on the San Andreas Fault. "Trying to Try" is a clever admission that even though a solution isn't at hand, an attempt to find one is.
Fans of the The Dirt Band will find that the playing as good as ever, the singers are in full voice, and that the wonderful whimsy that attracted so many smiles has not faded.
Joel Mabus is folk legend in Michigan and very worthy of that moniker. He has been crafting songs and preserving overlooked traditional melodies for years, and he does all of this on every stringed instrument you can think of. From the amusing "Duct Tape Blues," to the calming "The Only Way Out is Through," Joel's observational eye has gifted the Folk Alley library with dozens of heartwarming gems over the years.
There is no let up in No Worries Now. He covers lots of subjects. He pokes at political parties in "You Voted Red" (and I voted blue...). Mabus offers a practical solution for those who no longer drink in "Two Cents Plain." The song's title is an old term for ordering a non alcoholic drink, but his clever rhyme and reasoning might open a few eyes among those trying to quit. Perhaps the most alluring number is "Give It Up."
This song addresses our ambitions, which if we're not careful, can drift away from the meaningful toward the materialistic.
I don't mean to paint Joel as a lecturer, because he's not. This album is very entertaining, and often comical. Very few songwriters can poke you in the ribs and stick to your ribs at the same time. Mr. Mabus has this double ability and he always has. No Worries Now is another collection defining why fans will remember his songs.
Find more information online at www.KentStateFolkFestival.org.
The line-up for the 43rd Kent State Folk Festival (all concerts at the Kent Stage unless otherwise noted):
Thursday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.: Masters of Puerto Rican Roots Music featuring Edwin ColĂłn Zayas - $10 general admission tickets, $5 students (with valid ID).
Friday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m.: Greg Brown and Jorma Kaukonen - $25 gold circle, $45 reserved.
Saturday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.: The Del McCoury Band - $30 gold circle, $50 reserved.
Thursday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m.: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - $12 general admission.
Friday, Nov. 13 (various times): Folk Alley 'Round Town (30+ venues throughout Kent) featuring a special appearance by Country Joe McDonald - FREE
Saturday, Nov. 14, noon-5 p.m.: Workshops (KSU Student Center) - FREE
Saturday, Nov. 14, 5 to 6 p.m.: Talent Contest (KSU KIVA) - FREE
Saturday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.: Rhythm in Shoes presents Banjo Dance - $20 $30 reserved, WKSU members 50% off with member card.
Many Folk Alley listeners who stream us via iTunes radio have written in to tell us they're having trouble finding our service on the latest version 9 update. Apple, in their infinite wisdom and without the courtesy of informing the people who actually use their service, ditched the Folk category all together (as well as the Public category and some others). Fear not, you can still find us on iTunes. Now, please look for Folk Alley neatly tucked between "Fistful of Soundtracks - Broadcasting the music of the movies since 1997" and "Friends Yearbook Big Hitz" in the Eclectic category in the iTunes radio listings.
This month's Alleycast features our in-studio session recording and interview with the Rhythm Angels. Plus, we'll listen to our Live From Folk Alley concert with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings from Newport and hear our featured Open Mic artist for this month, Village Jammers. To close They Alleycast, we'll hear music from Carolyn Hester, who was pivotal is helping launch Bob Dylan's career. Her two albums of psychedelic folk/rock have just been remastered. Download The Alleycast today!
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