Jorma Kaukonen Thanks to his time with Rock Hall inductee Jefferson Airplane, Jorma Kaukonen quickly rose to prominence as one of the best guitar players to rise out of the '60s music scene in San Franciso. But Jorma was a roots music guy at heart and left the band to get more bluesy with Jack Casady and Hot Tuna.
He brought Barry Mitterhoff along for an appearance on A Prairie Home Companion and Jim caught up with them before the show.
Who is Beth Wood? Unless you're from Arlington or Austin, you may not know. Once you hear her though, you'll start asking that question. This lady has power and confidence (i.e. Bonnie Raitt) and is a good wordsmith (i.e. David Wilcox). Initially, you may hear more blues in Beth than folk on this, her 7th CD, but at the end she delivers a delightful surprise: solo acoustic versions of three of the album's best full ensemble, more electric arrangements.
Included in these extras is the album's title in which she finds a bit of her unusual father in herself. Another is "Funeral Day" where she describes her friends' belief that a funeral ought to be a joyous experience, celebrating the deceased instead of mourning him. Sadness, she feels, is something more personal that will hit you later when you are alone. Despite the acoustic alternative, we have chosen to air the original, as it is even happier.
Another standout is "Our New Century," a biting political commentary about America today. Though she wrote this a few years ago, I believe it is included here for a reason.
Not much has changed, she feels, in the past 8 years. There has been one big change for Beth, however. She just got married and moved to Colorado where her husband was hired at a micro brew pub. Beth continues to tour the country; don't miss her.
Banjo ace Tony Trischka's last album (Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular) featured a 2nd banjoist on ever tune or song. There were many guest players and singers and many different studios to collaborate. Surely his next release would be less ambitious right? Wrong.
Territory also features many guests: Banjoist Bill Keith, Violinist Brittany Haas, Guitarist Michael Daves, and banjoist Bill Evans. Three of the melodies were written for the NPR show: The Next Big Thing. The arrangements are sometimes in odd time signatures and the melodies have untold stories. Tony plays a different and often unusual banjo on every tune. For example, he plays a gourd banjo and a one of kind national resonator banjo. "Tromp De L Oreille" which features Paula Bradley on piano and Bill Keith on the 2nd banjo, starts the melody on the downbeat and midway through changes it by half a beat to starts on the upbeat. "French Creek" is played on only one banjo string.
It's possible that only your subconscious would notice these details, but all the variety makes you search for the liner notes. What will happen when we all download songs one at a time and there are no more album jackets? Don't tell Tony Trischka.
Resonator Guitar, Washtub Bass, Washboard, Fridge Door, and Hand Drum --- that's the musical lineup for this Minneapolis based "Alt-folk stringband." The group is led by Steve Kaul who wrote all the songs except for their version of a Yiddish traditional piece, which is so unique, they might as well have written it.
Song topics include the story of a tinsmith, and a moment by moment description by a miner and a canary as the mine collapses. Steve also vividly details what a factory worker is thinking about as he produces parts for a bomb. The song is cleverly titled "Killing Time." This is fairly thoughtful fodder for a bluesy string band, but they did say they were 'alt-folk.' This 'alt' term is being thrown around a lot lately; perhaps for The Brass Kings 'alt' means traditional instruments backing intelligent editorials. I think they're ready for a national audience. Folk Alley will give them one.
If the name sounds familiar, yes Justin is Stacey's nephew and Steve's son. That may explain why The Good Life doesn't sound like a rookie release. Justin writes of difficult issues in a very poetic way -- it seems his Dad and his Aunt's influences have rubbed off.
Aside from the album's ballads, however, there are several spirited and original honky tonk numbers, so Earle knows that his audience wants to have fun too.
Take the album's 1st song, "Hard Livin'." The melody is a 'click your finger' piano and fiddle romp (Josh Hedly & Skylar Wilson). While you're dancing, you can laugh at Justin's confusion about love, because you've probably experienced it and thought you were the only one until you heard this.
Three ballads are stand outs. "Who Am I to Say" is a humble view on how we judge ourselves and others. "Lone Pine Hill" describes a hike to a viewpoint, but the view is more inward. "Turn Out the Lights" is a reminder that nighttime stops the world so we can finally think.
The entire album may not be "A" material, but to have four "A's on a debut is pretty darn impressive. I'm betting Justin Townes Earle will soon be known for being more than "Steve's Son."
When I started to write this, I put fiddler in front of Canadian Oliver Schroer's name. But, that doesn't say enough. He played folk violin with jazz, world and experimental music influences and developed a truly unique sound. Schroer was also a teacher who brought his instrument to a new generation. I met Schroer when he traveled south with James Keelaghan for a concert near Cleveland. They were both staying with Jim Blum and I was lucky enough to hang out with the group after the show. Schroer impressed with his knowledge of a wide range of subjects and his extreme height, capped by a mohawk. It was one of those magical outdoor concerts where the music and darkness of a country night envelope the audience and create a moving and memorable experience.
Oliver Schroer died this week in Toronto after a long battle with leukemia and he will be missed. Read more in this article from the CBC.
This gave us the idea of inviting Folk Alley listeners to share your favorite music that you reach for, or load into the iPod, before pulling out of the driveway for a summer road trip.
With your help, Chris Boros will assemble a special "Summer Road Songs" on-demand side stream in a couple weeks. So - please tell us your favorite CDs that you "never leave home without," or the songs you'd include in a mixed tape before taking that crazy drive from Boston to Chicago for a deep-dish pizza. If your boss is a slave driver, and you won't be taking vacation this summer, we'd like to know what songs represent to you the "freedom of the open road," as you dream from your desk of flooring it across Death Valley with the top down - Thelma and Louise style.
To get us rolling - WKSU's Mark Urycki shares these songs that are among his favorite "road songs."
"Refuge of the Roads" - Joni Mitchell - Hejira
"Amelia" - Joni Mitchell -Hejira
"Willin'" - Little Feat
"I Know You Rider" or "Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad" - Grateful Dead
We at Folk Alley are really big baseball fans - and we love Chris Thile and the Punch Brothers. So this is exciting! In 1908, two important things happened. The Chicago Cubs won a World Series (which they haven't done since) and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" made it's debut (as a music hall song about a man blowing off work and his girlfriend). In honor of both of these momentous occasions, ESPN's Baseball Tonight is running a "Battle of the Bands," with a variety of groups playing the song for fans to vote. Votes must be in by the end of the weekend.
Our vote is going to the Punch Brothers. Chris Thile loves baseball (he has a couple baseball-themed CDs under his belt) and they actually say to root, root, root for the Cubbies, which is much better (even if you disagree with the team choice) than the completely lame "home team" option. Plus, Noam Pikelny!
With all of this talk of Cubs baseball - here are some videos of Steve Goodman songs connected with the team. "Go Cubs Go!" (which, you have to admit, beats "Hey, Hey, Hey, Goodbye!") has even become a team anthem since singer/songwriter Goodman died of leukemia in 1984 at age 36. You can learn more about Goodman in Steve Goodman: Facing the Music, an 800-page biography written by Clay Eals. Eals will be hosting a series of reading/music events tied to the book in Los Angeles beginning July 25.
Steve Goodman performing "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request":
Crooked Still defined: Traditional ballads arranged for 5-string banjo and cello with the spotlight on a sensuous singer with a breathy delivery. That's the dictionary definition, which was derived by who made up the band. Aiofe (EE-FAH) O'Donovan is the singer and Rushad Eggleston WAS the cellist. The gifted but quirky Eggleston left the band and was replaced by two people: Tristan Clarridge is now on cello and Brittany Hass plays 5 string violin. Rounding out the ensemble is Corey DiMario on bass and Dr. Gregory Liszt on banjo. Liszt is one of the few folk musicians who is also an MIT graduate.
So, Crooked Still has an impressive cast, and an unusual mix. Did you notice what's missing? Though O'Donovan plays guitar and piano, she rarely does in this context. Her focus is on her singing. And why not, she's got the New York Yankees (better make that the Boston Red Sox) of instrumentalists behind her, and the ensemble sound requests the absence of conventional rhythm. The group wants your ears to focus on the cello, violin, and banjo, and on Aiofe's distinctive delivery.
The result may be closer to jazz with all of the improvisation, but the musicians seldom become abstract, which is smart. Crooked Still is already so different, that they would risk becoming inaccessible if they played too 'free.' Rather, the collective sound is engaging, powerful, daring, and fun. You may know some of the songs and you're familiar with all the instruments, but no one has their combination. That, by the way, is the definition of style - when critics or fans have difficulty coming up with comparisons.
Based out of Montreal, Annabelle Chvostek used to be in the Wailin' Jennys. In fact, she wrote and sang "Devil's Paintbrush Road" off Firecracker. Like Cara Luft before her, this ex-Jenny has an impressive new solo album. Resilience is not a loud and fast rocker, but it has real staying power; it's one of those albums that attract you initially, but the more time you spend with it, the easier it is to become enraptured.
The album's title describes a terrible loss, but comments on the heart's remarkable ability to recover. As with many of the songs, Annabelle plays multiple instruments: mandolin, violin, piano, & organ. Becky Foon adds texture with cello. Texture is a good word for this entire album: subtle accordion, multiple electric guitars, but without volume or flare, and eastern percussion. "Wait For it" is a delightful tale of a city couple finding love in the country, and provides emotional balance for the album with its happiness. "Piece of You" is a wish to spend one day and one night together in love without necessarily being sexual lovers. The album includes humor: "I Left My Brain" and swing: Ella Jenkin's "Racing with the Sun," the only song Chvostek didn't write. Resilience is titled well. This CD invites you back for more, and you won't be disappointed when you oblige.
Lissa plays fiddle and sings and on her new release Song she reveals to us that she is also a bit of an historian. The album has a theme. It traces ancient British ballads that found their way to Maine, her home state. More importantly, she has arranged these songs so they sound contemporary and fun. Though the focus is on the stories, her rhythm section makes her shine. Often there are two guitars, bass, and light percussion provided by Stefan Amidon. For flavor, she offers two accordions (Jeremiah McLane and Sharon Shannon) on "The Fair Maid by the Sea." Eric Merrill, who is showing up on everyone's album, plays banjo & guitar.
The album's best offering may be "Little Musgrove and Lady Barnswell." It's about a Lord's wife falling for a sheepherder. Bad things happen to both of them, but the result is an absolutely delightful romp (go figure!) Lissa has really jumped up a notch as a featured artist - her playing is full of style based on exceptional technique, and she is singing with more confidence and power than ever. There are several medleys with a song and a tune combined and these work well since she is now evenly talented as a singer and a soloist.
Folk music in the UK is alive and well with Bellowhead, Tim Van Eyken, Seth Lakeman, Spiers & Boden and many others. Add to that list Kerfuffle, a young English band we discovered at Cropredy last year. Their new album, To the Ground, is the group's fourth release and features mostly English material, with smart song choices and arrangements that are unique to the band. An extremely inspiring version of "The Cruel Mother" called "Down by the Greenwood Side," may be the album's highlight, with a driving rhythm section and Hannah James' pure and natural singing. The band's past three albums, along with awards, formal music training, and high profile festival gigs, have shown the group's accredited virtuosity of the genre. This new album finally shows off the group's vocal range too, especially in the song "Arise Arise." Kerfuffle has also managed to avoid the obvious standards - no version of "The Blacksmith" here. Instead, they have delved deep to deliver material not performed to death. While "The Cruel Mother" may be considered by some as a standard, Kerfuffle handles it like a brand new song, with an arrangement we haven't heard before. Clearly inspired by greats like Pentangle and Fairport, Kerfuffle has delivered a smart album, full of creativity, originality and musicianship that's on par with the best of the best in the genre.
For those of you who are in the area and planning to attend APHC at Blossom, please stick around after the broadcast and join us at the venue for a special Folk Alley/Red House Records Anniversary Party mini-concert! The show will feature a performance by the Wailin' Jennys, along with a few songs from Jorma Kaukonen and Robin & Linda Williams! We'll have all kinds of goodies to give away too, so please join us for the festivities!
Of course, if you're a fan of A Prairie Home Companion and haven't seen it live, you really should at least once. So buy your ticket for the radio show, and then party with us after!
Send us a picture of you in your Folk Alley T-shirt! We'll add it to our
gallery and you could win fabulous prizes.
Hear Mountain Heart recorded live at the Kent Stage during the 41st Kent State Folk Festival.
Meet the people behind the scenes who are working to keep the "folk wheels" rolling in their community!
A new way to support Folk Alley! Learn how to convert your old car into folk music!
Folk Alley is partnering with Festivalink.net to offer our members live music downloads!
Fresh Cuts offers a 3-hour stream of the best of recently released music with new updates added weekly. 
