There is a reason why banjoist Alison Brown's music has joined space shuttle crews four times now. Her compositions are full of the technical wizardry that scientists crave, while simultaneously being full of joy. Astronauts are humans too, and who wouldn't want to wake up to such positive melodies? Mission Specialist John Grunsfeld actually took the CD with him so he could have the first listen in space. That in itself is interesting as most astronauts take i-pods. Though it would be fun to look down on Earth while listening to Alison's quintet, you don't have to. The music alone will take you on a wild ride.
Husband, bassist, and Compass Records co-founder Garry West backs Alison on her 10th release. Pianist John R. Burr is back trading breaks with Brown, but a more recent member is mandolinist, fiddler, and percussion master Joe Craven. Not only does the band now offer another soloist, with Joe, it offers three! To maintain variety, some tunes are bluegrass based, one sounds Caribbean, and another hints of the Irish. All of them are jazzy, acoustic, and joyful.
The album's title is from Don Quixote: "Tell me the company you keep and I'll tell you what you are." Alison didn't realize it when she chose the name that there was a double meaning. Though she is the star, her bandmates are equal to the task, inspiring each other and her to deeper levels. Secondly, the company she keeps is Compass Records.
Her label is in its fifteenth year, thriving by focusing on independent music with top releases only boasting sales of a few thousand units. That may not sound like much, but others in the music business are involved with closures, mergers, and sales that are down. Alison Brown's music and her label are up. (JB)
Ashleigh Flynn flew under our radar for much longer than she should have. It wasn't until she opened for Todd Snider did we see that she could command attention from listeners unfamiliar with her. She sold 45 albums at intermission during the concert we attended.
Flynn hails from the banks of the Ohio River and has been playing out for over 10 years, travelling throughout the country. Her voice is gruff but sensitive and the heartfelt truth behind her lyrics is constantly compelling.
Flynn isn't afraid to wear her feelings on her sleeve. In "The Seventh Sea", she unapologetically leaves behind others and finds solace in herself. She passionately sings of the displaced people of New Orleans in the title track "American Dream", and brings the listener to Kentucky coal country in "Hazard County". Throughout the album, listener's are shown a myriad of emotions and tense situations from Flynn. But despite the serious nature of many of the songs, it's difficult not to smile and sing along. (DH)
Most of us take a little bit of time off during the summer for vacation - usually to get away from the stress of our work and just relax. Bela Fleck, for the first time in about 15 years took some time off in the early months of 2005. His mission was not to rest and relax, but to go to Africa and study the origins of the banjo - filming a documentary of his travels and recording the music he made with the continent's aboriginal musicians.
At the last moment, Sony, who was footing the bill for this endeavor, backed out. Bela Fleck soon found himself as the financier of a major multimedia project. However, Fleck still followed through and completed both the album and the documentary entitled Throw Down Your Heart.
All the tracks feature amazing African musicians doing traditional music. Fleck brings the banjo back to its African roots and plays alongside these prodigies, careful to let their talents shine while he moves out of the spotlight. Every song was recorded in Africa with the exception of "Thula Mama," recorded when Fleck unexpectedly ran into Vusi Mahlasela in Boulder, Colorado.
Fleck just finished touring with Toumani Diabate, Vusi Mahlasela, Anania Ngoglia & D'Gary - all of whom are on the album, and will be doing many more appearances with Toumani Diabate and Oumou Sangare in the coming months. (DH)
Harvey Reid burst on the scene over 20 years ago by winning national championships on multiple instruments. Few have done that other than Mark O'Connor. Neither are in competitions any more. Both are too busy creating. This is Harvey's 21st recording, his first solo album since the 2003 autoharp release. On "Blues and Branches" Reid plays 11 different guitars, 6 string banjo, and autoharp. (He doesn't need a band!)
Joyce Anderson does make two cameos, one if which is an old spiritual "Let your Light Shine On Me." They trade off singing verses because they both love the song, and their harmonies are close and pure. A wise sage once wrote: Those who sing together stay together. (They are married.) There is reference to a lighthouse in the song, which is special for them since they see one daily where they live in Maine.
The albums highlight song is Harvey's original "From Where I Stand." This heartfelt editorial is a revelation about mankind's only hope for survival. You'll have to listen to discover his answer which may seem simple at first, but if it were, this song wouldn't be necessary. Other highlights are Harvey's commentary on Hollywood and hearing him play and sing the blues on autoharp. What a hoot. Harvey Reid is the perfect example as to how an independent musician can survive. He plays 20 instruments. He writes, sings, and arranges. He has his own label, newsletter, and was one of the first to embrace the internet years back. Today he has a musical partner and is the father of two. Since little Otto is now playing, perhaps a family band is in the future. Why not? (JB)
FolkAlley.com expands its geographical presence with the addition of KUT's Matt Reilly from Austin, TX, to its team of music hosts. Since September 2003, Folk Alley has brought the best of traditional folk, Americana, singer/songwriter, bluegrass, Celtic, world and acoustic instrumental music styles to an international audience - listeners tremendously excited to finally find "their" music available 24 hours a day on the Internet.
Reilly, a Texas native, began his radio career in Austin, TX, working for KGSR, one of the country's most respected Triple A stations. He also spent time in front of the camera as a VJ on Austin Music Network, a local music video channel. In 2004, Reilly moved to Philadelphia to work for WXPN, a national vanguard in Triple A music. While there, he served as the station's Assistant Music Director and hosted the shows Jamnation, The New Music Show and The Indie Rock Hit Parade. Reilly and his wife, Jennifer, returned to Austin in July 2008 to be closer to family and enjoy the balmy Texas winters. He is currently a member of the music department at KUT, a recognized leader in eclectic music.
Matt joins fellow DJs Jim Blum, Elena See, Barb Heller and Gene Shay as part of an all-star team of public radio hosts. He will be heard in the stream daily from midnight to 5 a.m. ET (GMT -4), the slot recently vacated by Jeff St, Clair, WKSU's new morning host.
The Greencards - "Fascination"
Great Lake Swimmers - "Lost Channels"
Sara Watkins - "Sara Watkins"
The Indigo Girls - "Poseidon and the Bitter Bug"
Wheeler Street - "Roodumdah"
David Wilcox - "Open Hand"
Richard Shindell - "Not Far Now"
Danny Schmidt - "Instead the Forest Rose to Sing"
Beoga - "The Incident"
Bela Fleck - "Africa Sessions"
Steep Canyon Rangers - "Lovin' Pretty Women"
Clarence Bucaro - "Till Spring"
Diana Jones - "Better Times Will Come"
Vienna Teng - "Inland Territory"
Ramblin' Jack Elliott - "A Stranger Here"
Bearfoot - "Doors and Windows"
Ellis Paul - "A Summer Night in Georgia"
April Verch - "Steal the Blue"
Various - "A Tribute to Utah Phillips - Singing Through the Hard Times"
Le Vent du Nord - "Mesdames et Messieurs!"
Nancy Wallace - "Old Stories"
Various - "Dark Was the Night" (a benefit for the Red Hot Organization)
The Flatlanders - "Hills and Valleys"
Brian Herbert & Friends - "Any Time at All"
Ashleigh Flynn - "American Dream"
Jeremy Garrett - "I Am a Stranger"
Jesse Winchester - "Love Filling Station"
Folk Alley Celebrates Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday with a Special Side Stream
May 1, 2009
In honor of Pete Seeger's 90th birthday (May 3rd), Folk Alley has put together a 5 hour side stream of memorable Seeger classics covered by artists like Tom Paxton, Bruce Cockburn, Janis Ian, Bruce Springsteen, Natalie Merchant, Greg Brown, and, of course, the iconic troubadour himself.
Judy Collins is best known as a singer and a song interpreter of sorts. Some of her most well-known songs were not her own, and many of the well-crafted songs she has written may not get too much attention because of the amount of covers she has performed. Luckily, some high-profile artists who have been influenced by Judy Collins' music came together to record some of her original works.
Born to the Breed has musical legends on every track including Leonard
Cohen, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, Rufus Wainwright, Kenny White, Chrissie Hynde, Bernadette Peters and Jimmy Webb. Two of the highlights include Jim Lauderdale's version of "Easy Times", which is likely much more country than Collins ever expected it to be, and Shawn Colvin's take on "Secret Gardens"--a retrospective written by Collins after driving past her grandparent's home after they had passed.
Despite the tiredness of the 'tribute album' genre, it seems like all these artist definitely belong as each track has something unique to offer. Another appeal is that a portion of the album's earnings goes to the Jazz Foundation of America, which provides emergency aid for uninsured musicians and may be most noted for its help of jazz
musicians after Hurricane Katrina.
Justin Townes Earle has had a lot to live up to right from the beginning. With his first release, skeptics were curious if Earle could live up to his father, Steve Earle's talent. Justin surpassed anyone's expectation with a captivating live show and non-stop touring. Whereas only a year ago, critics held Justin up to his father's standards, he now has to live up to his own.
Midnight at the Movies offers heart-felt ballads like "Someday I'll be Forgiven for This", but the majority of these songs are much more fast-paced and driven than his earlier works (Yuma and The Good Life). Throughout the entire album, Earle works some impressive finger picking, which is often times the musical driving force in his songs. Accompanying Earle's guitar and vocals is a proficient band of relative unknowns including multi-talented right-hand-man Cory Younts.
Alongside his guitar proficiency, we hear the tactfully emotional lyrics we have known Earle for in his earlier recordings. However, for the first time, we hear reference to his family in "Mama's Eyes", a realistic and sincere dedication to his parents. When Earle performed this piece at last year's Kent State Folk Festival, he prefaced the song by saying that his parents hadn't heard it and that "one parent would be truly proud and the other would be relatively indifferent."-- a great example of Earle's frank sense of humor.
Many actors have branched out in recent years to record the music that they love. Often, many are better at their first craft (Billy Bob Thornton). A rare exception is Steve Martin, who is just as talented a banjo player as a comedian and actor.
Martin's The Crow is the product of 45 years of closet banjo playing and Tony Trischka's urging. The title track of which was performed on Trischka's album Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular and ended up being Steve Martin's first hit single since his farcical "King Tut" in 1978.The difference is that now Martin is very serious.
There's nothing to laugh about on The Crow. Martin was once quoted as saying that you can never play a sad song on the banjo. In the album's liner notes, Martin retracted that statement saying that the banjo had the capacity for some very mournful and lonesome songs. He goes on to give a brief history of his time with the banjo and it becomes very obvious through listening to the album and reading about its contents that Martin has a deep friendship with the instrument.
The Crow is filled with many stars of bluegrass and country including Vince Gill, Tim O'Brien, Tony Trischka, and Earl Scruggs; but they are not the stars. The focus every song is definitely the banjo and the album its self is almost a "Thank You" note to the banjo for everything it has given the grateful Martin.
Download The Alleycast - March 2009 - The Holy Modal Rounders
Listen to Folk Alley on XM 15 - The Village this Friday, February 27th from noon to 2 PM (ET)/9-11 AM (PT). Host, Barb Heller, will bring you 2 hours of the great Folk Alley mix you know and love. If you miss it, or you just want to hear it twice, the show will be available again on Monday, March 2 at midnight ET/9 PM PT.
How to attend the Odetta tribute this Tuesday night in NYC
February 23, 2009
In an E-mail from Christine Lavin:
Riverside Church can hold 2400 people -- there's plenty of room for anyone who would like to attend. Below are directions by subway or car. Thanks so much for spreading the word -- Christine Lavin
ODETTA MEMORIAL CELEBRATION
7:00 pm, Tuesday, February 24th
at Riverside Church
490 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10027
Tel: 212-870-6700
Closest trains are # 1 train to either 116th Street stop or the 125th Street stop. Riverside Church is located between Riverside Drive and Claremont Avenue between 120th and 122nd Streets.
If driving, take the West Side Highway, get off at 125th Street exit. Turn right onto St. Clair Place for .1 mile. Take slight right onto W. 125th Street/Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd for .1 mile. Turn right onto Broadway for .4 mile. Turn right on W. 120th Street for .1 mile. Turn right onto Riverside Drive for .1 mile, end at 490 Riverside Drive.
WHO: David Amram, Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, Oscar Brand, Tom Chapin, Guy Davis, Ruby Dee, Steve Earle, Wavy Gravy, Geoffrey Holder, Holmes Bros. w/ Seth Farber, Maria Muldaur & Marie Knight, Emory Joseph, Bernice Reagon, Sonia Sanchez, Pete Seeger, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Josh White, Jr., and Peter Yarrow & the Brooklyn Tech Chorus. More special guests to follow, in addition to video tributes.
WHAT: Celebration of the life and career of ODETTA, "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement" (December 31, 1930 - December 2, 2008)
WHERE: RIVERSIDE CHURCH, 490 Riverside Drive (at 121st Street), New York, New York 10027. Tele: 212-870-6700
WHEN: Tuesday, February 24th at 7:00 pm. (Doors open at 6:00 pm)
Odetta was a transformational musical artist of the 20th Century, and "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement." In a career that spanned more than sixty years, she was the first major influence on the careers of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Janis Joplin. Free to the public, the Memorial Celebration will include video highlights of Odetta's life, in addition to song performances and words of remembrance presented by celebrated artists who knew and worked with Odetta. "If only one could be sure that every 50 years a voice and a soul like Odetta's would come along, the centuries would pass so quickly and painlessly we would hardly recognize time." (Maya Angelou)
MusicFog Videos from the 2009 Folk Alliance International Conference in Memphis TN
February 22, 2009
Jessie Scott and the MusicFog.com tour bus rolled into Memphis to capture video from this year's Folk Alliance International Conference. Here is a sampler of some of those videos!
Jimmy LaFave with Radoslav Lorkovic perform "Hideaway Girl"
Ray Bonneville performs "I Am the Big Easy" -- Folk Alliance International 2008 'Song of the Year'
The Refugees (Cindy Bullens, Wendy Waldman, and Deborah Holland) perform "January Sky"
The 2009 International Folk Alliance Conference hit the ground running Wednesday night, as friends gathered in the Memphis Marriott Downtown's Heritage Ballroom to honor and award a fine lot of folk institutions and enthusiasts helping to better the cause.
Emceed mostly by Folk Alliance Board of Directors' president Dan Navarro, the ceremony combined touching video tributes with live performances and a collection of speeches, each evoking the spirit of the Folk Alliance and the soul of roots music. The ceremony was broadcast live on Sirius XM Radio's Channel 15, The Village, and will be available for on-demand listening on FolkAlley.com in the near future.
Among the awarded and honored, lifelong folk contributors Guy and Candie Carawan received the most emotional applause. The jam-packed ballroom was brought to their feet at the sight of the married couple that revolutionized the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome."
The Carawans shared Lifetime Achievement Award distinctions with the late Phil Ochs, whose brand of "folk journalism" captured the progressive 1960s Greenwich Village scene and changed the way lyrics were written forever. Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, the noted institution that helped keynote speaker Roger McGuinn develop his twangy Rickenbacker sound, earned the third Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Folk DJ community honored two artists, Joe Crookston and Ray Bonneville, for their contributions to 2008's folk music canvas. Crookston earned the distinction of being the most played artist among folk DJs this year, and Bonneville's "I Am the Big Easy" was noted for being the most played song of the year.
Folk Alliance Executive Director Louis Meyers introduced the 1st annual Spirit of Folk award to 9 deserving honorees: Rhonda Barton, Val Denn, Renee Bode, Richard Gilman, Kerry Estrin, Dalis Allen, Sandy Andina, Terry Mutchler, and John Stoecker, each of whom were instrumental in running the Folk Alliance's five regional conferences.
The ceremony additionally saw heartfelt tributes to two recently passed friends of the Folk Alliance, lifelong supporter Vic Heyman and the incomparable Odetta. Both passed in the last three months.
NPR Music has teamed up with a number of public radio music stations, including FolkAlley.com, to create a multi-genre playlist for Valentine's Day. The mix offers songs for the romantics, the heartbroken, and the heartbroken romantics, spanning everything from Brahms to Beck. Feel the love, February 9 - 16.
Remember how long the Open Mic home page used to take to load? Well guess what? It now loads at lightening speed. Check it out! Post some songs, comment on the ones you hear, rate songs, participate. Create multiple accounts and cheat so your ratings get higher than they're supposed to be. Remember, the ratings are for your own benefit - to get valuable feedback on your songs. Visit Open Mic and get started. There are thousands of songs to sink your ears into.
John Martyn - UK Folk Singer/Songwriter died last week on Thursday, January 29. John was a leading figure of the 1960's UK folk scene. His first album, London Conversation, was released in 1967. From there, he went onto release a number of recordings that spanned four decades, often venturing outside of the folk realm and into Jazz, reggae, rock and even funk. In 1973, Martyn released one of the defining British albums of the 1970s, Solid Air. On the album, as with the one that preceded it, Bless the Weather, Martyn collaborated with jazz bass player, Danny Thompson, with whom he proceeded to have a fruitful musical partnership. He also developed a new, slurred vocal style, the timbre of which resembled a tenor saxophone. Paying tribute to Martyn, BBC Radio 2's folk presenter Mike Harding said: "John Martyn was a true original, one of the giants of the folk scene. He could write and sing classics like 'May You Never' and 'Fairy Tale Lullaby' like nobody else, and he could sing traditional songs like 'Spencer The Rover' in a way that made them seem new minted."
Folk Alley is trying to stay on the upside of cool by adding a Twitter account. You can following the feed by logging in and clicking here: twitter.com/FolkAlley. Right now, the plans are to post updates on FolkAlley.com features (like Live From Folk Alley artists and Extras). We will also be sending out folk news bits with links and observations from the Folk Alley staff. If you want to add something to the conversation, DM us and we'll RT you. For other social media types, join the Folk Alley group on Facebook or become our friend on MySpace. I'll post more information on these social media sites over on the discussion board.
It's easy sometimes to forget the shear amount of works which Bob Dylan has put out. The classic Dylan albums are inherently inseparable from folk music as a whole: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Blonde on Blonde, Nashville Skyline, and the list goes on; but what about the other 30 studio albums? And even more specifically, what about the music he's put out in the past 20 years? Tell Tale Signs encompasses live recordings, demos and other unreleased recordings from the past 2 decades, almost all of which have never been heard before.
Often times, when hearing about these "bootleg" or "rarities" collections, it can be assumed that only die-hard fans will enjoy them. Too often, these albums are laden with leftovers from previous recording sessions which were either too odd to get on the original album or just not good enough in general. If this is the case with Tell Tale Signs, it certainly doesn't show.
In songs like "Mississippi" and "Dignity," we hear very different versions from what were originally on their individual albums. In "Dignity," Dylan cleverly uses the poetic device of personification, allowing him to have a "conversation" with the title subject. At the same time, the song demonstrates that Dylan, contrary to popular belief, has retained a great range and surprisingly nimble voice. In "Mississippi," we hear a heart-broken Dylan accompanied by snappy dueling guitars. Later in the album, we hear Dylan dabbling in bluegrass in "The Lonesome River," a duet with Ralph Stanley.
It's impossible to call any Dylan album 'definitive', but this collection truly shows how diverse an artist he can be and continues to be up to this very day.
Sometimes it's easy to dismiss newer groups in old-timey music as some kind of 'carpet-baggers.' So, who would think that a legitimate folk/bluegrass group could have emerged from Ithaca, New York in the late 1990's amongst 5 young men with minimal experience? A few people really did believe in them including Doc Watson who asked for them to play at MerleFest in 2000 and Marty Stuart who wanted them to headline at the Grand Ole Opry. If their fan-base of bluegrass and country greats isn't enough to let you know that they are legitimate, I encourage you to listen for yourself.
Compared to Old Crow Medicine Show's previous recordings, Tennessee Pusher adventures into a new lyrical depth and demonstrates that the band has grown more mature musically. The band is not afraid to get serious with subject matters ranging from substance abuse as in "Alabama High-Test" and "Methamphetamine" to the life of Martin Luther King Jr. in "Motel in Memphis." Still yet, Old Crow Medicine Show can still speed up the tempo in barn burners like "Mary's Kitchen" and "Humdinger." Old Crow even revives a song from the forgotten Virginia folk hero Blind Alfred Reed in "Lift Him Up." Even though the song is a half century old, the message about helping the less fortunate may be even more important today.
Don't feel out of the loop if you've never heard of Chumbawamba. While the band has been around for over 25 years, their extensive catalogue has largely sunk into obscurity with the exception of their only major label release, Tubthumper in 1997 and its first single "Tubthumping." Originally a major part of the anarchist punk movement in England, Chumbawamba has certainly explored other styles. However, their lyrical content is still as abrasive and unapologetic as ever.
Chumbawamba doesn't discuss politics as directly as they have been known to in the past. Instead, they tend to tell the stories of those who history has forgotten. In "El Fusilado," they tell the story of Wenseslao Moguel who was shot 10 times during the Mexican Revolution, but survived his wounds. In "Charlie," they adopt a traditional tune to sing about Charles Darwin. And in typical Chumbawamba fashion, they describe the hardships of work with Guthrie-esque tact with songs like "Compliments of Your Waitress" and "Bury Me Deep."
Many times, groups are criticized by their fans for evolving their styles over time. Chumbawamba has certainly changed their sound, but have never done so against their will. For 25 years, it's apparent that Chumbawamba has been playing the music that they enjoy and is important to them. Undoubtedly, as long as there's still hardship or injustice to be sung about, Chumbawamba will be there. Along with their socially conscious lyrics, their careful harmonies and stripped-down acoustic instrumentation have made them a surprisingly fitting addition to the Folk Alley library.
Charlie Haden is certainly not known as a folk musician. With almost 50 years of experience, Haden is renowned as one of the most prevalent jazz bassists in the world, playing along with artists ranging from Art Pepper to Ornette Coleman to the Liberation Music Orchestra. He's also played with John Lennon. But in Rambling Boy, Haden teams up with his immediate family and a host of folk and bluegrass friends to create a 19-song tribute to the traditional music of his youth. Haden's parents and older siblings were the stars on early country radio programs across the Midwest and the south.
Haden, while renowned for his free-form jazz abilities sticks to the basics in his playing and doesn't mess with the traditional formula of these songs. The songs are well known and it was obviously a joy for him to play and sing with his wife, son, and three daughters. The only real surprise on this album comes in the form of a wide array of guest appearances. Elvis Costello sings a Hank Williams song. Rosanne Cash sings "Wildwood Flower." Even Jack Black (who is Haden's son-in-law) sings along to "Old Joe Clark" accompanied by Stuart Duncan's fiddle, Sam Bush's mandolin, Bela Fleck's banjo and Jerry Douglas' Dobro.
While this album may not appeal to fans of Haden's jazz works, it is easy to appreciate the fact that he was performing music that he really wanted to play. And let's face it - it's refreshing to hear new recordings of these traditional songs.
On January's Alleycast, we listen to Folk Alley's exclusive concert recording with Darrell Scott from the 42nd Kent State Folk Festival, our in-studio session recording with Carrie Rodriguez and music from Jim Pipkin - Folk Alley's featured Open Mic artist for January 2009. To celebrate the new year, we also present a montage of music from our Best of 2008 side stream of music. And to close the Alleycast, we hear about an obscure folk/rock band called Trees that made just two albums in 1970. Download the Alleycast today!
"Butch Baldassari, who led the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble when they opened for Judy Collins at the 2001 Kent State Folk Festival, passed away Sunday morning. He had an inoperable brain tumor. Last year Nashville's finest (Bela Fleck, Tim O'Brien, Maura O'Connell) held a benefit concert to raise funds for him. He had a wonderful spirit and absolutely loved playing at our event. When he pulled out the Allman Brother's "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" arranged for 3 mandolins, mandola, octave mandolin, and violin, the crowd went nuts. We knew the end was coming, but it's still hard. So many losses this year. Fortunately Jimmie Wilson made a marvelous recording. We will hear excerpts this weekend [on WKSU] and on Folk Alley."
My notes. Baldassari was not just a great musician, he was also a good businessman and a music historian. I was only in my second year managing merchandise for the festival when he ran behind the table to help sell CDs after the band's set. Rightly, I handed him a sharpie and told him to go sign. We had enough salespeople - he needed to play star right then. The Mandolin Ensemble was his idea, revisiting a time at the turn of the 20th century when string ensembles were commonplace in sitting rooms across the country.
CDs recently added to the Folk Alley music stream:
Bob Dylan - "Tell Tale Signs"
Charlie Haden, Family & Friends - "Rambling Boy"
Various - "Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins"
Jonatha Brooke - "The Works"
Paul Rishell & Annie Raines - "Canned Heat Blues"
The Green Fields of America - "The Green Fields of America"
Pam Gadd - "Benefit of Doubt"
Elixer - "Super Tonic"
Sandy Denny - "Live at the BBC"
Toby Walker - "Hand Picked"
Chuck Brodsky - "Two Sets"
Pierce Pettis - "That Kind of Love"
Asylum Street Spankers - "God's Favorite Sampler"
Victor Heyman has died in Florida at age 72. Along with his wife Reba, Victor has been a long-time supporter of folk music - as a concert promoter and presenter and as a board member for organizations including Kerrville. But really, the Heyman's are true supporters of folk music and musicians, going out of their way to help artists succeed. For years, they compiled lists of all of the official and non-official workshops at Folk Alliance and they gave musicians a cut rate on mailing schedules and newsletters through their bulk mailing company. Other interesting things I learned about Victor from his obit in the Washington Post - he was a deputy assistant secretary of defense, he taught political science and he was a noted consultant on health care issues. He will be missed.
Jeff Black is one of our absolute favorite Nashvillian singer/songwriters. Check out Jeff's Special Christmas Podcast here - and if he is new to you, we encourage you to visit his website sometime to get better aquainted!
