Joan Baez Up a Tree
May 25, 2006
On her most-famous ex-boyfriend's birthday, Joan Baez (who is also 65) climbed up into a Southern Californian tree to block developers who want to turn a community garden into condos. She joins other big-time tree sitters Julia "Butterfly" Hill and John Quigley in taking shifts in the tree. The 14-acre farm is in the middle of south central Los Angeles and is a food source for 350 mostly Central American farmers. The developer originally offered to sell the land for $6 mil. and the mayor pulled together the financing, so the developer raised the asking price by $10 mil.
Posted by Ann VerWiebe at 3:48 PM
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Dylan is #1!
May 24, 2006
In honor of Bobby D's birthday today, let's celebrate Paste Magazine naming him top honors in their list of the 100 Best Living Songwriters. That's right, number one! Paste has put together a great list of folks from a mix of genres (although, obviously, singer/songwriters make up a healthy chunk of the collection): Dylan #1, Neil Young #2, Springsteen #3, Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan #4, Paul McCartney #5, Leonard Cohen #6, Brian Wilson #7, Elvis Costello #8, Joni Mitchell #9, Prince #10, etc. Patty Griffin (aka Goddess of Songwriting) came in at #19 and Lucinda Williams was #22. Other Folk Alley regulars making the list include John Prine, Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson, Jackson Browne, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Richard Thompson and Over the Rhine (who I met last year when they played the Kent State Folk Festival - six degrees). The final spot is held by T Bone Burnett, who just released a new album after a long time spent as the new Alan Lomax. The list was voted on by a blue ribbon panel of artists and other influential folk in the music biz. Sorry that Dave Carter didn't make the list, but he sadly doesn't meet the main criteria of still breathing. Check out the July issue of Paste (which also includes a nifty sample CD) for more.
Posted by Ann VerWiebe at 3:59 PM
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Ditty Bops Two-Wheel It
May 17, 2006
This summer, the Ditty Bops continue their love affair with two-wheeled transportation by traveling across America (from their California home to New York) by bicycle. Amanda and Abby start their journey on May 25th, the day after a record release party at The Derby for the new CD Moon Over the Freeway. The route so far is posted on the Ditty Bops' website - you are welcome to ride along (check out the website for the tour blog) or E-mail them at info@dittybopsbiketour.com with ideas on local venues where they could perform or interesting places to stay.
Posted by Ann VerWiebe at 5:34 PM
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Bob Dylan Emulates Jim Blum
May 3, 2006
Robert "Bob Dylan" Zimmerman made his satellite radio DJ debut today - hosting "Theme Time Radio" on XM's Deep Tracks (channel 40). Early reviews are good, saying that Dylan offered interesting and fun comments around his playlist. Today's theme was weather, which was represented by songs that oddly didn't include any Dylan music, but were an eclectic group that brought together works by Muddy Waters and Judy Garland. The program will offer fresh, themed installments each Wednesday.
Posted by Ann VerWiebe at 5:06 PM
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