We ended up sending out three sets of weekend passes to MerleFest last month in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. There were 57 contest entries, making narrowing the list very difficult. One person originally selected could not, in the end, attend and one did not respond to our E-mails. So, the lucky recipients were (in no particular order):
Hank & Barbara Lynn from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
Matt & Cathie Davis from Milton, Tennessee
John Osborne from Statesville, North Carolina
As part of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame week on American Idol, the final 4 contestants on the music "reality" show had their run of the 500 songs that shaped the rock world. Dreadlocked hippie Jason Castro (who, I swear, is going to put out a Folk Alley-friendly CD in the next year) picked the Dylan arrangement of Mr. Tambourine Man. Halfway through the first verse, everything went south, he hummed a bit and went into the chorus. As much as I would love a singer/songwriter to win this show and bring a folkie bent to the AM Idol tour, I really hope he goes home tonight.
Not at all because I just like writing "Noam Pikelny" (it's like a line out of Lewis Carroll), I found this YouTube gem of Noam poking fun at Punch Brothers bandmate Chris Thile. On the same topic, check out this month's Live from Folk Alley featuring the aforementioned Punch Brothers.
Steeleye Span is currently on tour in England with a handful of dates left on this tour. Ken Nicol from the band has been posting special podcasts with video while on tour from backstage and behind the scenes. Check it out here: www.folkcast.co.uk/ken/diaryindex.html
Steeleye's Tour Schedule for May:
1st May Roses Theatre TEWKESBURY
2nd May Reading Concert Hall READING
4th May Buxton Opera House BUXTON
5th May Preston Guildhall PRESTON
6th May Forum 28 BARROW IN FURNESS
7th May Victoria Theatre HALIFAX
8th May Palace Theatre MANSFIELD
9th May Mercury Theatre COLCHESTER
11th May Assembly Hall TUNBRIDGE WELLS
13th May Colston Hall BRISTOL
14th May Pavilion Theatre BOURNEMOUTH
15th May Birmingham Town Hall BIRMINGHAM
16th May The Derngate NORTHAMPTON
This week XM's Channel 15 - The Village - will be airing 2 hours of Folk Alley hosted by Jim Blum. This is part of their Village Liberation program that spotlights regional folk radio shows from around the US.
Jim's program can be heard Tuesday, April 29 at noon (EDT/-5GMT) and then repeated on Friday, May 2 at midnight-2:00am.
And this is why I shouldn't cruise YouTube at lunch... William H. Macy writes a song about the film Wild Hogs and performs it on ukulele on the Oprah show:
Cookin' with New Releases; Better Read this before you order:
April 19, 2008
Kensington Prairie ~ Captured in Still Life
With the number of submissions to Folk Alley increasing every month (easily over 200), it has become cumbersome to find the good ones. An artistic eye-catching cover can help. That's what made us notice the Kensington Prairie CD, and the group is being rewarded for their detail, because once we heard what was inside we knew you had to as well.
The overall mood is dreamlike, yet thoughtful. The instrumental mix is unusual: guitar, cello, vibraphone, harmonica, Wurlitzer, glockenspiel, and an unconventional and understated banjo. The various combinations support singer and writer Rebecca Rowan who is the main focus of this band (or maybe orchestra?). Rowan uses her imagination well. In "A Million Skies" she looks up on a clear night and sees another's eyes in the stars. She smartly uses analogy in the song "Bluebird," comparing a slipping memory to the fleeting bird. During "Crooked Things Straight" she helps us realize that we can't always change sadness, but she provides kindness through a wish.
Kensington Prairie may eventually be referred to as Vancouver's version of Brooklyn's "Hem," the easiest comparison for me to make. Listening to Captured in Still Life is like being treated to a new restaurant where every meal is rewarding. This CD is that good.
Joe Crookston ~ Able Baker Charlie and Dog
Joe Crookston has arrived. He has matured as a writer and has filled out his sound
with choice musicians. Most of the songs uncover for us the stories of ordinary people from today and from history, in challenging situations. "John Jones" was a Virginia slave who escaped but dared to return and helped gain freedom for 800 others. "Freddy the Falcon" is a 17 year-old skateboarder and artist who came from a difficult background. Joe spent time with incarcerated youth in the Seattle area and created songs documentary style; he sings as Freddy, 1st person narrative. The album's title is about his grandfather who was stationed on Tinian Island during World War II and made runways such as the one used by the Enola Gay.
These songs are smart, offering the listener insight as well as entertainment. Richie Stearns and Judy Hyman of "The Horseflies" fill out the sound and add variety. This album leaves you feeling impressed, and continuing with our restaurant analogy, you'll come back for seconds.
Peech ~ Peech
Ouch. This one hurts. Here's an example of an eye-catching cover that rewards you with nothing. "Peech" is Chelsea Dohermann and Megan Osborn from L.A. They are young singers who recorded too early in their careers. The songs are full of cliches about broken hearts and they resort to foul language which is not only childish and offensive, it's a cheap shortcut to good writing. Every song sounds the same and it's all noise. Perhaps Peech was sent to us by mistake. This CD is a mistake.
Jackson Browne ~ Solo Acoustic Volume 2
When we received Solo Acoustic Volume 1 a couple years back we were instantly anxious for Vol 2. Both recordings are intimate performances with Jackson and his collection of guitars and reminiscences. (He switches to piano on occasion.) This latest collection doesn't include as many instantly familiar songs as the first, but if you are a Jackson Browne fan you'll know them or you'll want to.
"Enough of the Night" offers comfort to someone who's really down, and reminds that person of his or her reputation for spirit, daring, and satisfaction. This act of kindness is admirable and a reminder for us how necessary we can be as friends. "Alive in the World" is another wonderful message directed straight to someone who has lost interest in participating in life. We've all met people this down. We've all been this down. My question is - how did Browne know? How is he able to look into your soul and then offer a hand up through music when no one else is able? He is a songwriter and melody maker to be sure, but he is also a counselor and part-time angel. Listening to these very folk-like recordings when you're feeling good will make you feel better. When you're down, Jackson Browne will pick you back up. Either or both of these volumes would make excellent gifts to important friends - or to yourself!
Former Idol Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift were big winners at the CMT Awards (all fan voted) on April 14. But, truth be told, the nominees and presenters won just by showing up. You or I could live very well for a month or two if we Ebay'd the contents of the gift bag given ceremony participants, which included: a pair of jeans worth $225, a fancy skin care system, a one-night stay at a resort in East Tennessee, a pair of Australian shoes ($150), a year's supply of cafe con leche with bricks of coffee, a 6-month membership in a high-end Nashville fitness center, spa treatments and a two-night stay at a lodge in Colorado, two large Dooney & Bourke totes, a full year of Rhapsody, jewelry, spa treatments, tee shirts, watches, and a waterless car wash with microfiber towels. Well, at least I have the microfiber towels.
Dave Cousins from Strawbs Recenty Visited Folk Alley
April 9, 2008
Dave Cosuins from Strawbs has been playing music for close to 40 years. In that time, he has never done a solo tour - until now. Just recently Dave finished up a small tour with just him and a guitar. One stop found him at the Kent Stage near Folk Alley, so I invited him to the studio to play a couple songs and chat. Dave's brand new solo album is called Secret Paths. Strawbs are certainly in the top-five most important bands in the world of English Folk. Yes, later in their career, it became more of a progressive rock outfit, but early on, Sandy Denny was a member of the band - even before they recorded an album. It was her involvement with Strawbs that led her to Fairport Convention. From that point, English Folk-Rock was born with help from a young Dave Cousins. Check out the interview with Dave below and two songs he played in the studio. In the coming months, there will be much Strawbs activity with a full tour of the electric band - featuring the 1974 line-up. A new studio album is also in the works. Take a look at the official Strawbs web page - it's very well done with tons of information, reviews, lyrics to every song, and up to date news. I've also posted some You Tube videos of Strawbs in action throughout the years. Thanks for making it into the studio Dave!
Eva Cassidy had such a pure voice, and this version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is truly unique. Ironically, she didn't like this after she recorded it. But, like all of her music, it's a gift to us. Now that Eva is somewhere over the rainbow, her approach sounds more Angelic. I give you this song of hope, enjoy.
Over Spring Break, a lot of kids head south to get into trouble. Not our Zak Kruszynski. Zak, who is a Kent State student and works on our graphics, made a 4-string banjo. He got some help from his uncle and his brother, but he really made the entire thing himself (no kit involved). What's most impressive is that he was inspired to make instruments because of his love of truly old-time folk music. Here's the video:
Cookin' with New Releases; Here's What's on the Stove. (Read This Before You Order)
March 17, 2008
Dixie Bee-Liners ~ Ripe
I'm sure at some point someone has recommended a restaurant to you, but you've never made time to go. Then you keep hearing about how good the food is from others. The Dixie Bee-Liners showcased at the recently completed Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis. I was there, and never saw them, despite encouragement from many. Now that I've sampled their debut CD, I really regret the missed opportunity. Led by singer and writer Brandi Hart and co-writer and multi-instrumentalist Buddy Woodward, the band presents original material almost exclusively. Each story is different from the next, the harmony blend is stunning, and the arrangements are well thought out. Bil Vorndick is the producer.
There is a civil war ballad with a twist, and a delightful mother daughter song "She's my Angel" in which as Brandi writes: "I'm watching my mother watch me grow up." Two members of Ricky Skaggs band join in, fiddler and mandolinist Andy Leftwich and bassist Mark Fain. David Talbot (The Grascals) plays banjo. There is some concern as to why they needed help as the band should be solid on its own, but on the other hand, CDs offer chances for repeated listening (hopefully), so each song should really shine. For the most part this whole album shines.
The Punch Brothers ~ Punch
When Nickel Creek disbanded members became excited about individual projects. Sean Watkins went first with Blinders On, and now it's founder Chris Thile's turn. We were warned that parts of the album were avant-garde and they are, but most of this CD is very accessible despite the lengthy cuts. Thile's 4-movement epic "The Blind Leaving the Blind" is based on his reaction to his 2004 divorce. You'll hear the 2nd movement and the first 1/2 of the 4th movement on Folk Alley. Movement #2 is the longest individual song we have ever played at nearly 13 minutes, but it weaves and changes so frequently that it holds your interest. In fact, your ear begins to perk up anticipating the next surprise. As long as it is, when it's over, you want more.
Part of the reason is this band - there are young stars at every position. Noam Pikelny on banjo (Leftover Salmon, John Cowan), Gabe Witcher on fiddle (Jerry Douglas) Greg Garrison on bass, and Chris Eldridge (Infamous Stringdusters) on guitar. Each player is at home improvising to Thile's ideas; each can play fast, or slowly, and they know how to back up one another.
LisaBeth Weber & Maggie Marshall ~ The Fire Tower Sessions
One of folk music's most cherished gifts is its invitation to join in. Most singers in concert hope you'll sing along at some point. Most fans also own an instrument and play it for diversion and release. And of course at a dance, square or contra, everybody dances. If you've done one or more of these things, good for you, because most of America just sits there and watches everybody else.
The next step can lead to problems. Not everybody needs to record an album. It's easy to do these days - you can go digital in your basement and create your own artwork on your own Mac. You can even go a step further and hire a talented and experienced producer, such as Bil Vorndick who produced "The Firetower Sessions." It starts, however, with material and ends with performance. I met LisaBeth and Maggie at the Folk Alliance Conference - they are wonderful people and this event was a positive experience for them. Unfortunately, and despite some excellent session players, there is nothing on this album that is strong enough to replace what is already airing on Folk Alley. I often tell those who offer submissions to name their most admired musician and their favorite song. I then remind them that whatever they are sending us has to be good enough to replace what they've just named. I couldn't find anything here.
Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny's MOZAIK ~ Changing Trains
Andy Irvine is one of our most gifted writers of history. From Irish famine to Antarctic explorers to Raoul Wallenburg, Irvine doesn't just tell stories, he knows how to take us inside the people and their struggles. Finally, he's turned toward someone he knows best - himself. "O'Donoghue's" is a narrative about the first Irish pub with music that Andy experienced in 1962. Through the fast moving song we share in his discovery and his continuous love for tunes and tales.
MOZAIK is a project shared with instrumental whiz Donal Lunny. What makes this band different is that Andy and Donal share Celtic music with the far corners of the earth. The influence and instruments spread from Romania to West Virginia. "Reuben's Transatlantic Express" traces the old timey "Rueben's Train" to Danville, Dublin, Budapest and Timisoara. As the tune begins, you might recognize it, but suddenly new doors open as unfamiliar instruments and an amusing arrangement presents itself.
This album is like going to 5 ethnic restaurants at once, but with these two chefs, and their parcel of players (Bruce Molsky, Nikola Parov, & Rens van der Zalm) mixing up the meals, nothing tastes out of place. How will we ever settle for less next time?
For the St. Patrick's Day season, and to celebrate Folk Alley's Irish Celtic Music Stream, I decided to post some cool and classic Irish Celtic videos from You Tube. Enjoy!!
I Go to Cleveland for a Jug Band Movie and Spend the Night in a Hotel
Saturday, I went up to Cleveland to introduce Chasin' Gus' Ghost - a new documentary by Todd Kwait about the past, present and future of jug band music - at the Cleveland International Film Festival. Todd and his wife, Carol, are extremely nice people and the film is very good. It combines a lot of vintage footage of bands like the Lovin' Spoonful and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band with contemporary interviews with John Sebastian, Jim Kweskin, Geoff and Maria Muldaur, Bob Weir, the late Fritz Richmond and others. There is background of the history of the jug bands from Memphis and Louisville, especially Gus Cannon and Sleepy John Estes. They also visited jug band festivals in the U.S. and, oddly (though maybe not) Japan.
Here's the trailer:
I left my house early because we had a lot of snow and, as the day progressed, a lot of snow turned into a certified blizzard. So I introduced the film, handed out Folk Alley stickers and spent the night at a hotel. All in a day's work.
Click through for a video that includes pics of the snow and a cheerleading competition (some of the girls were staying in my hotel).
This year's winner of the Best Country Instrumental Grammy was Brad Paisley - Hot Country, electric guitar playing Brad Paisley. Jim Blum was not impressed and said so during a special segment he did on the Grammys. A couple of listeners called him on his comments (he said judges might have been asleep to pass up The Time Jumpers, Russ Barenberg, The Greencards, and Andy Statman in favor of Paisley) and said that Paisley, one of the most respected instrumentalists in Country, deserved the honor. Jim's answer was that Paisley had the advantage of name recognition.
While that is most certainly true, I think he was also at a disadvantage because this award generally goes to a bluegrass performance (Since 2000, it's gone to Alison Krauss twice, Earl Scruggs & co. twice and Alison Brown & Bela Fleck. Last year, it went to Bryan Sutton & Doc Watson. In 2002, it went to the Dixie Chicks, which is closer to Hot Country, but they still have bluegrass cred). My opinion? The category is Best Country Instrumental, not best traditional country or best bluegrass. Why shouldn't Paisley be honored for excellence if he is genuinely producing stand-out work? NB, I don't have the album and had to listen to the song as a YouTube video made on someone's cell phone, so it's hard to tell. BTW, whoever writes Paisley's news section does a great job and has his/her own comments on the Grammys. And, you have to take any award with a grain of salt. What do you think?
Cookin' with New Releases; Here's What's on the Stove. (Read This Before You Order)
February 16, 2008
Beth Nielsen Chapman ~ Prism
Imagine for a moment that you're not from here. By "here" I mean Earth. You decide to visit for the first time and because you're curious you ask for an overview of all the world's religions. You're not looking for dissertations, rather, you'd like to sample brief but accurate moments of what these various religions are trying to offer. That is roughly what Beth has provided for us. There are Hindu chants, Tibetan singing bowls and Native American flutes. Cuban, European, and African traditions are represented. While some of the songs may be too rock or pop for you, none of them are dry histories and there are no sermons.
For example, Victor Masondo and No Limits joined Beth for "Masibulele Ku Jesu," a Zulu hymn which they recorded in South Africa. It is positively joyful. Equally thrilling, but completely different is Beth's own gift to us: "This Life That's Lent to You." This song is a wake-up call and a gentle reminder (make that a face slap) that you're on borrowed time. Beth researched, co-produced, wrote, and sang on all songs and often played multiple instruments. This is not like many of her previous albums, and not all of this is folk music, but who cares. This is a monumental effort, comparable to those from Loreena McKennitt. We'll be playing several selections and I suspect you'll notice them as they jump out of your speakers.
The Polyjesters ~ Kitchen Radio
Listening to brothers Sheldon And Jason Valleau and their talented band brings to mind an old, old song title "Ragged but Right." Except with The Polyjesters, it's "Wacky but Right." These guys use songs with a sense of humor to present extremely skilled violin (Drew Jureka) and guitar leads (Aaron Young). Riders in the Sky does the same sort of thing with cowboy music. The songs swing and cover all sorts of topics, such as insecurity, melancoly, and bad weeks. Yet, they are so fun to listen to. Perhaps that's because we receive a moment of reprise from our confusing lives when we witness someone else's struggles. In other words, these guys could impress you with serious jazz, but to keep you entertained at the same time, they poke fun at themselves. If you find any recording from The Polyjesters you won't be disappointed,
I had the great pleasure of being given a CD from the group to hand-deliver to Dan Hicks, who I was about to see. Dan was very moved that this young quintet from Northern Alberta, who have never seen him, admired what he kicked off 30 years ago.
I'm betting you will too.
Caroline Herring ~ Lantana
Caroline Herring interrupted her music career for a few years to raise a family. With this album she is arriving as a professional poet who delivers in song. Herring's stories ring of her native Mississippi and her years in Texas but she uses sophisticated city smart dialogue to tell these stories. The clearest example may be "Fair and Tender Ladies."
She borrowed the old song title and delivers a new message and a new melody. Instead of women being painted as delicate, she tells us of three very tough ladies from her home state, a poet, a nun, and an anti-lynching activist. Clever.
"Stone Cold World" was inspired from a trip to Newfoundland as she was surprised by all the rocks and the lack of vegetation. She saw a simliarty to her own life as she was learning how to "exist outside myself." She was trying to learn how to accept big changes and how to sacrifice. She also writes about the woman from South Carolina who drowned her children in a car in the song "Paper Gown." Herring is not hesitant to uncover any story, even the ones most of us avoid. She would make a good reporter, except she has too much music in her. That's our good fortune.
SUBJECT MATTER: This album covers such topics as war, the homeless, and mortality, not normal fodder for bluegrass bands. Familiar topics also surface (trains, lost love, wanderlust) but they are presented with new perspectives. The best one may be "Where Did the Morning Go," as a man suddenly realizes that most of his life is behind him. Hats off to Shawn Lane, who is still young, for capturing this perspective.
ARRANGEMENT: Rather than verse, solo, verse, chorus, almost all the songs feature split breaks, often with 3 and 4 instruments. Tricky intros and endings indicate preparation (...and Doyle Lawson's upbringing).
PERFORMANCE: On "Life of a Traveling man," Rob Ickes jumps on his dobro solo with such passion, that the first notes fooled me into thinking Shawn Lane was starting to cry out another verse. Partly these surprises come from our ear's trained expectations, but mostly they come because of Blue Highway's balance - they all play well, and they feature three dynamic lead singers who all harmonize on the money. Speaking of money, go borrow some and buy this disc.
Lord, it's difficult to think about a weekend sleeping in my car and wearing my giant hippie skirt (so big, it doubles for a blanket), but Langerado is determined to put everyone in the festival mood the first week of March in the South Florida Everglades. There are still some second-tier weekend tickets available to see (hello, partial list) Dark Star Orchestra, Brett Dennen, Sam Bush, G. Love and Special Sauce, the Mickey Hart Band, the Beastie Boys, Umphrey's McGee, Railroad Earth, the Avett Brothers, Ben Folds, R.E.M., the Bad Plus, the Disco Biscuits, Martin Sexton, Josh Ritter, Keller Williams, Gov't Mule, Ani DiFranco, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Of Montreal, The National, and Phil Lesh & Friends. Take a coat - I don't care if it's South Florida.
I'm just posting this story because it's true and rather unexpected. Before marrying French President Nicolas Sarkozy, singer/songwriter and former model Carla Bruni dated (among others, I'm sure) Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Donald Trump. Sarkozy's romantic history is equally sensational, but Jim Blum doesn't play his music, so you'll have to read up on Wikipedia. Good luck to the happy couple and here's a video of Carla in action.
I defy anyone to come up with a better love song for Valentine’s Day. This is it! If any women told me that she could drink of case of me and would still be on her feet, it would close the deal for me. This song will transcend generations, check out Prince doing this on the Joni Mitchel Tribute LP, or Diana Krall. This is my Valentine vote.
The "F" word in Ann Arbor wasn't Folk. Were you there?
February 4, 2008
The recently completed Ann Arbor Folk Festival was a financial success. Both evenings in the 4300 seat Hill Auditorium were sold out. Saturday's concert featured the traveling quartet of Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller. It was Friday's concert, however, that drew the controversy. Indie-pop star Ben Folds was there, and there's no question that he helped attract the full house. Several in attendance began to wonder, however, if they were at a Folk Festival or pop-rock concert. I wasn't there, so you'll have to help me if you were. Did Folds crossover enough to fit the bill? What did you think of his tirade dropping the "F-bomb" repeatedly in one of the final songs? Is there a controversy in Ann Arbor or should we feel lucky that The Ark will have financial protection for another year? I'd like your thoughts.
In light of our invitation for song requests for our upcoming Valentine's Day Love and alt-Love sidestreams , I wanted to share a video of two of my all-time favorite artists (John Prine and Iris Dement) performing one of my all-time favorite love songs!
OK - Folk Alley fans. I need your help. For Valentine's day, we're putting up our two special side-streams for the holiday. You may remember last year, the Love stream and the Alt-Love stream. The Love Stream will be devoted to happy, dappy, lovey, dovey, sappy, pappy, love songs. The Alt-Love stream will be devoted to break-up songs, losing you songs, I can't belive you dumped me songs, and I hate your guts/can't stand your face songs. So - here is the challenge. We need your suggestions for these two side streams. Respond to this blog with your favorite Love and Alt-Love songs and we'll do our best to make them appear magically in the stream. What songs should we play? Send us your suggestions before mid February and thanks. We Love You! OK - we like you.
