1. Ricky Skaggs: Pickin' in Caroline (Solo -- Songs My Dad Loved), Skaggs Family http://www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com/
2. Atwater-Donnelly: Going to The West (The Weaver's Bonny), Rabbit Island
http://www.atwater-donnelly.com/
3. Chuck Suchy: Faces of Main Street (Unraveling Heart), Little Bluestem http://www.chucksuchy.com/ 4. Runa: Bedlam Boys (Jealousy), self http://www.runamusic.com/
5 - 8 from "Fishing Music II," Snake River http://www.fishingmusic.com/
5. Chris Coole, Arnie Naiman et al: Lost River
6. Mollie O'Brien et al: Church of The Wandering Stream
7. Jeff Newsom: Fishing in The Dark
8. Rob Ickes, Billy Novick et al: Opening Day
9. Dala: Levi Blues (Everyone Is Someone), Campus Music http://www.dalagirls.com/
10. Dana and Susan Robinson: Delta Queen (Big Mystery), Threshold http://www.robinsongs.com/
11. Beyond the Pale: Extra Spicy (Postcards), Borealis http://www.borealisrecords.com/
12. Kim Beggs: Birds and No Bees (Wanderer's Paean -- updated version), Out of A Paperbag http://www.kimbeggs.com/
13. Herdman / Hills / Mangsen: The Language of The Bees (concert at the Institute of Musical Traditions), private
Mr. Cheney says the investigations into torture are pure partisanship.
14. David Ippolito: Resolution [The Torture Song] (download), self http://www.thatguitarman.com/
15. Billy Bragg: O Freedom (Mr. Love & Justice), Anti-
16. Jack Hardy: Soundtrack (Wry Grass), Great Divide http://www.jackhardy.com/
Who owns the water supply? I read some of Sarah Gilbert's commentary about Fiji bottled water at DailyFinance.com:
17. Evalyn Parry: Bottle This! (Small Theatres), Borealis http://www.borealisrecords.com/
18. Rory McLeod: Thirsting for War (Brave Faces), Talkative http://www.rorymcleod.com/
19. Karine Polwart & Tim O'Brien: Well for Zoe (Wells for Zoe -- Water for Life), Compass benefit release http://www.wellsforzoe.org/
"Girl" guitar players:
20. Janis Ian: Play Like A Girl (God and The FBI), Windham Hill http://www.janisian.com/
21. Nina Gerber: Peace Medley (Live -- Good Music with Good People), Goatscape http://www.ninagerber.com/
22. Patty Larkin: Not Bad for A Broad (Step into The Light), Philo LP
Ticket giveaway for Rhythm & Roots:
23. Eilen Jewell: One of Those Days (Sea of Tears), Signature Sounds http://www.signaturesounds.com/ 24. The Duhks: Mighty Storm (Fast Paced World), Sugar Hill http://www.duhks.com/
25. Cedric Watson: Cochon de Lait (Cedric Watson), Valcour http://www.valcourrecords.com/
The Dreaded Folk Calendar over selections from Steve Martin's "The Crow," Rounder http://www.rounder.com/
I read Greg Palast's article about the firing of hurricane expert Ivor van Heerden by Lousiana State University http://www.gregpalast.com/
26. Chris Thomas King: What Would Jesus Do? (Blue Highways Volume One), Blue Highways http://www.bluehighwaystv.com/
27. Mary Chapin Carpenter: Houston (The Calling), Zoe Rounder http://www.rounder.com/
28. Truckstop Honeymoon: The Cover of The N.Y.T. (Great Big Family), Squirrel http://www.truckstophoneymoon.com/
29. Jackson Browne: Where Were You (Time The Conqueror), Inside http://www.insiderecordings.com/ 30. Catie Curtis: People Look Around (Long Night Moon), Compass http://www.compassrecords.com/
31. John McCutcheon: Hope Dies Last (This Fire), Appalsongs http://www.folkmusic.com/
32. John Flynn: The Passunder [New Orleans] (America's Waiting), self http://www.johnflynn.net/
33. Eliza Gilkyson et al: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House http://www.redhouserecords.com/
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Luckenbach sets Guinness record for most guitars
By Michael Corcoran Sunday, August 23, 2009, 04:28 PM
In 2007, 1,802 Germans played "Smoke On the Water" in unison to enter the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest recorded guitar ensemble.
That record was topped Sunday afternoon at Luckenbach [TX], when 1,859 pickers played "This Land Is Your Land," led by Jimmy LaFave. The "Pickin' For the Record" event was organized by the Voices of a Grateful Nation, a support group for American soldiers and veterans, whose WelcomeHome Project was the beneficiary. Pickers paid $10 each, but they received a t-shirt commemorating their participation.
In 2007, 1,802 Germans played "Smoke On the Water" in unison to enter the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest recorded guitar ensemble.
That record was topped Sunday afternoon at Luckenbach [TX], when 1,859 pickers played "This Land Is Your Land," led by Jimmy LaFave. The "Pickin' For the Record" event was organized by the Voices of a Grateful Nation, a support group for American soldiers and veterans, whose WelcomeHome Project was the beneficiary. Pickers paid $10 each, but they received a t-shirt commemorating their participation.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Woody Guthrie in The Wall St. Journal. Really.
It's His Land Once Again
by Luke Torn
"Those are the leftovers of my husband's business," Irene Harris explained to her neighbor Luria Sutera in 1999, describing the heavy cardboard storage barrels, cordoned off by wood and wire, stacked in her Brooklyn tenement storage space. "He was in the record business. When I die, I am going to leave you my collection of records in the basement, and there is some Woody Guthrie down there that no one has ever heard."
Guthrie, a towering singer and activist whose "Dustbowl Ballads" and ubiquitous "This Land Is Your Land" form the bedrock of modern American songwriting, would have turned 97 this summer. Huntington's disease all but silenced him in the late 1950s, eventually claiming his life in 1967, at age 55.
The barrels, holding some 2,000 nickel-plated copper discs, had stood unperturbed for decades, abandoned by Herbert Harris, owner of the long-defunct Stinson Record Co. In 1944 Harris, with partner Moe Asch, bankrolled the holy grail of American folk music—a series of Woody Guthrie sessions resulting in hundreds of recorded masters, a cultural watershed that reverberates to this day.
The rest at
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203863204574345093934463548.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
by Luke Torn
"Those are the leftovers of my husband's business," Irene Harris explained to her neighbor Luria Sutera in 1999, describing the heavy cardboard storage barrels, cordoned off by wood and wire, stacked in her Brooklyn tenement storage space. "He was in the record business. When I die, I am going to leave you my collection of records in the basement, and there is some Woody Guthrie down there that no one has ever heard."
Guthrie, a towering singer and activist whose "Dustbowl Ballads" and ubiquitous "This Land Is Your Land" form the bedrock of modern American songwriting, would have turned 97 this summer. Huntington's disease all but silenced him in the late 1950s, eventually claiming his life in 1967, at age 55.
The barrels, holding some 2,000 nickel-plated copper discs, had stood unperturbed for decades, abandoned by Herbert Harris, owner of the long-defunct Stinson Record Co. In 1944 Harris, with partner Moe Asch, bankrolled the holy grail of American folk music—a series of Woody Guthrie sessions resulting in hundreds of recorded masters, a cultural watershed that reverberates to this day.
The rest at
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203863204574345093934463548.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The New Yorker: "The Return of Leonard Cohen"
State of Grace: Leonard Cohen's Return
Sasha Frere-Jones, New Yorker, August 24, 2009
....Cohen began his musical career suspended between song and speech. In 1967, “Songs of Leonard Cohen” introduced listeners to Cohen’s strong nasal tenor, which suited the casual roué he conjured on songs like “Suzanne” and “So Long, Marianne.” The production is spare: mostly acoustic instruments and, at Cohen’s request, no drums. Though he is working in Bob Dylan’s shadow, his manner is more relaxed and his visions are slightly less gnomic: “I lit a thin green candle, to make you jealous of me. But the room just filled up with mosquitoes—they heard that my body was free,” he sings, in “One of Us Cannot Be Wrong.”
An unadorned style has served Cohen’s albums best, the voice clean and clearly audible. In 1977, for the album “Death of a Ladies’ Man,” Cohen’s uneasy collaboration with the producer Phil Spector—who excluded him from the final mixing sessions—resulted in a dreadful mix of pop, country, and some weird variant of disco. (Cohen later called it “grotesque.”) By the time of “I’m Your Man,” which came out in 1988, Cohen was composing on keyboard rather than on his nylon-string acoustic guitar. Synthesizers add a bright and lapidary quality that doesn’t always fit the lyrics. But the songs—about desire and aging—are stunning, and Cohen’s voice has shed its honking quality and grown darker and looser, like a tire ripped open.
The rest is at
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2009/08/24/090824crmu_music_frerejones
Sasha Frere-Jones, New Yorker, August 24, 2009
....Cohen began his musical career suspended between song and speech. In 1967, “Songs of Leonard Cohen” introduced listeners to Cohen’s strong nasal tenor, which suited the casual roué he conjured on songs like “Suzanne” and “So Long, Marianne.” The production is spare: mostly acoustic instruments and, at Cohen’s request, no drums. Though he is working in Bob Dylan’s shadow, his manner is more relaxed and his visions are slightly less gnomic: “I lit a thin green candle, to make you jealous of me. But the room just filled up with mosquitoes—they heard that my body was free,” he sings, in “One of Us Cannot Be Wrong.”
An unadorned style has served Cohen’s albums best, the voice clean and clearly audible. In 1977, for the album “Death of a Ladies’ Man,” Cohen’s uneasy collaboration with the producer Phil Spector—who excluded him from the final mixing sessions—resulted in a dreadful mix of pop, country, and some weird variant of disco. (Cohen later called it “grotesque.”) By the time of “I’m Your Man,” which came out in 1988, Cohen was composing on keyboard rather than on his nylon-string acoustic guitar. Synthesizers add a bright and lapidary quality that doesn’t always fit the lyrics. But the songs—about desire and aging—are stunning, and Cohen’s voice has shed its honking quality and grown darker and looser, like a tire ripped open.
The rest is at
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2009/08/24/090824crmu_music_frerejones
Sunday, August 23, 2009
8/23/09 Playlist
1. String Sisters: Shetland Fiddle Diva / medley (Live), Compass www.compassrecords.com
2. Michael Troy: Highway (Mill Town Boy), self www.folkmichaeltroy.com
3. Alisa Fineman & Kimball Hurd: Yih' Yu L'Ratzon (Faith in Our Love), self
4. Peter Mulvey: Kids in The Square (Letters from A Flying Machine), Signature Sounds www.signaturesounds.com
5. Bill Bachmann: Vacation (Big World Out There), self www.billbachmannmusic.com
6. Trina Hamlin: Jacaranda (One Night Stand -- Seattle WA), self www.trinahamlin.com
7. Ellis Paul: Rose Tattoo (The Day After Everything Changed), Black Wolf www.ellispaul.com
8. The Pines: Shiny Shoes (Tremolo), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
9. Malinky: Dark Horse on the Wind (Flower & Iron), Mad River www.madriverrecords.com
10. Stephanie Corby: Love's Not Through with Me Yet (More to Show You), self www.stephaniecorby.com
11. Bill Frisell: Wildwood Flower (The Best of Bill Frisell Vol I: Folk Songs), Nonesuch www.nonesuch.com
12. Michael Fracasso: Brazos River Blues (Live at The Blue Door), India Records www.michaelfracasso.com
13. Magpie: Barons of King Coal (In ThisWorld: Looking Back, Moving Forward), Sliced Bread www.magpiemusic.com
14. Anthony da Costa: Wall around Baghdad (Typical American Tragedy), self www.anthonydacosta.com
15. Lindsay Mac: Faith (Stop Thinking), self www.lindsaymac.com
16. River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs: It's Hot in Here (It's Hot in Here), Hog Heaven www.zydecohogs.com
17. Rod MacDonald: American Jerusalem (After the War), Blue Flute www.blueflutemusic.com
18. The Wiggins Sisters: Killing America's Soul (Minnesota), self
Rod Picott & Amanda Shires live in studio: www.amandashires.net www.rodpicott.com
19. Mean Little Girl (Ruby) -- live
20. Angels and Acrobats - live
21. You're Gettin' to Me - live
22. Amanda Shires: Upon Hearing Violins (West Cross Timbers), self www.amandashires.net
23. Unwanted Things - live
24. You Can't Talk to Me Like That - live
25. Shake the Walls - live
Dreaded Folk calendar over Bill Frisell’s “The Best of Bill Frisell Vol. I: Folk Songs,” Nonesuch
26. Claudia Schmidt: Beaver Island Jubilee / For the Birds / Replenish (New Goodbyes / Old Helloes), Flying Fish http://claudiaschmidt.homestead.com/
27. Eliza Gilkyson et al: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
2. Michael Troy: Highway (Mill Town Boy), self www.folkmichaeltroy.com
3. Alisa Fineman & Kimball Hurd: Yih' Yu L'Ratzon (Faith in Our Love), self
4. Peter Mulvey: Kids in The Square (Letters from A Flying Machine), Signature Sounds www.signaturesounds.com
5. Bill Bachmann: Vacation (Big World Out There), self www.billbachmannmusic.com
6. Trina Hamlin: Jacaranda (One Night Stand -- Seattle WA), self www.trinahamlin.com
7. Ellis Paul: Rose Tattoo (The Day After Everything Changed), Black Wolf www.ellispaul.com
8. The Pines: Shiny Shoes (Tremolo), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
9. Malinky: Dark Horse on the Wind (Flower & Iron), Mad River www.madriverrecords.com
10. Stephanie Corby: Love's Not Through with Me Yet (More to Show You), self www.stephaniecorby.com
11. Bill Frisell: Wildwood Flower (The Best of Bill Frisell Vol I: Folk Songs), Nonesuch www.nonesuch.com
12. Michael Fracasso: Brazos River Blues (Live at The Blue Door), India Records www.michaelfracasso.com
13. Magpie: Barons of King Coal (In ThisWorld: Looking Back, Moving Forward), Sliced Bread www.magpiemusic.com
14. Anthony da Costa: Wall around Baghdad (Typical American Tragedy), self www.anthonydacosta.com
15. Lindsay Mac: Faith (Stop Thinking), self www.lindsaymac.com
16. River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs: It's Hot in Here (It's Hot in Here), Hog Heaven www.zydecohogs.com
17. Rod MacDonald: American Jerusalem (After the War), Blue Flute www.blueflutemusic.com
18. The Wiggins Sisters: Killing America's Soul (Minnesota), self
Rod Picott & Amanda Shires live in studio: www.amandashires.net www.rodpicott.com
19. Mean Little Girl (Ruby) -- live
20. Angels and Acrobats - live
21. You're Gettin' to Me - live
22. Amanda Shires: Upon Hearing Violins (West Cross Timbers), self www.amandashires.net
23. Unwanted Things - live
24. You Can't Talk to Me Like That - live
25. Shake the Walls - live
Dreaded Folk calendar over Bill Frisell’s “The Best of Bill Frisell Vol. I: Folk Songs,” Nonesuch
26. Claudia Schmidt: Beaver Island Jubilee / For the Birds / Replenish (New Goodbyes / Old Helloes), Flying Fish http://claudiaschmidt.homestead.com/
27. Eliza Gilkyson et al: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
Sunday, August 16, 2009
8/16/09 Playlist
1.The Wailin' Jennys: Driving (Live at The Mauch Chunk Opera House), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
2. Arlo Guthrie: If Ever I Should See The Mountain (Tales of '69), Rising Son www.risingsonrecords.com
3. The Sweetback Sisters: Red Shoes Blues (Chicken Ain't Chicken), Signature Sounds www.signaturesounds.com
4. Chris Stuart & Backcountry: The Streets of Charlottetown (Crooked Man), self www.chrisstuart.com/crookedman
5. Lynn Miles: Night Drive (Black Flowers Volume 1), self www.lynnmilesmusic.com
6. Tom Rush with Nanci Griffith: Casey Jones (What I Know), Appleseed www.appleseedmusic.com
7. Nanci Griffith: Cotton's All We Got (The Loving Kind), Rounder www.rounder.com
8. Guy Mendilow Band: La Serena (Skyland), Earthen Groove www.guymendilow.com
It's Deborah Holland's birthday:
9. Deborah: The End of The World (The Book of Survival), Gadfly www.gadflyrecords.com
10. The Refugees: On My Way (Unbound), Wabuho www.therefugeesmusic.com
11. Deborah: Faded Red Car (The Book of Survival)
12. The Refugees: The Violin Song (Unbound)
13. Joe Pug: Hymn #35 (Nation of Heat EP), self www.joepug.com
14. Vienna Teng: Grandmother 'Song (Inland Territory), Zoe Rounder www.rounder.com
15. Tony Trischka: Salt River (Territory), Smithsonian Folkways www.folkways.si.edu
16. Truckstop Souvenir: For the Coal (Under a Big Blue Sky), self www.truckstopsouvenir.com 17. Kathy Mattea: Coal Tattoo (Coal), Thirty Tigers www.mattea.com
18. Truckstop Honeymoon: The Cover of the N.Y.T. (Great Big Family), Squirrel www.truckstophoneymoon.com
Ticket giveaway for Rhythm & Roots:
19. The Duhks: Magalenha (Fast Paced World), Sugar Hill www.sugarhillrecords.com
20. Big Sandy & Los Straitjackets: Silent Partner (Man of Somebody's Dreams), Yep Roc www.yeproc.com
21. Eilen Jewell: Shakin' All Over (Sea of Tears), Signature Sounds www.signaturesounds.com 22. Cedric Watson: La Vielle Chanson de Mardi Gras (Cedric Watson), Valcour www.valcourrecords.com
Domestic violence in the news:
23. Maura O'Connell: I Would Be Stronger Than That (Blue Is the Colour of Hope), Warner Bros 24. Lisa Moscatiello: His Hands (Innocent When You Dream), Happy Cactus http://lisamoscatiello.com/
25. Tom Paxton/Anne Hills/Bob Gibson: She Sits on The Table (Best of Friends), Appleseed www.appleseedrecords.com
26. Connie Kaldor: One Hit (Gentle of Heart), Oak Street www.conniekaldor.com
27. Gretchen Peters: Independence Day (downloaded single), self www.gretchenpeters.com
The Dreaded Folk Calendar over selections from Notorious's "Elkins," Black Socks Press www.notoriousfolk.com
A beloved tree was felled this past week:
28. Anne Dodson: Big Green Tree (Against the Moon), Beech Hill http://www.midcoast.com/~beechhil/ADodson/
Healthcare is going... where?
29. Ian Robb: They're Taking It Away (From Different Angels), Fallen Angle http://www.finestkind.ca/ian.html
30. Garnet Rogers: Election Night, North Dakota (At A High Window), Snow Goose www.garnetrogers.com
Eliza's playing in Ridgefield on Tuesday and in Brockton on Saturday:
31 & 32. Eliza Gilkyson: Wildewood Spring & Gret Correction (Beautiful World), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
33. The Wailin' Jennys: Deeper Well (Live at The Mauch Chunk Opera House), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
34. David Olney: Revolution (The Wheel), Loudhouse www.loudhousemusic.com
35. Eliza Gilkyson et al: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
2. Arlo Guthrie: If Ever I Should See The Mountain (Tales of '69), Rising Son www.risingsonrecords.com
3. The Sweetback Sisters: Red Shoes Blues (Chicken Ain't Chicken), Signature Sounds www.signaturesounds.com
4. Chris Stuart & Backcountry: The Streets of Charlottetown (Crooked Man), self www.chrisstuart.com/crookedman
5. Lynn Miles: Night Drive (Black Flowers Volume 1), self www.lynnmilesmusic.com
6. Tom Rush with Nanci Griffith: Casey Jones (What I Know), Appleseed www.appleseedmusic.com
7. Nanci Griffith: Cotton's All We Got (The Loving Kind), Rounder www.rounder.com
8. Guy Mendilow Band: La Serena (Skyland), Earthen Groove www.guymendilow.com
It's Deborah Holland's birthday:
9. Deborah: The End of The World (The Book of Survival), Gadfly www.gadflyrecords.com
10. The Refugees: On My Way (Unbound), Wabuho www.therefugeesmusic.com
11. Deborah: Faded Red Car (The Book of Survival)
12. The Refugees: The Violin Song (Unbound)
13. Joe Pug: Hymn #35 (Nation of Heat EP), self www.joepug.com
14. Vienna Teng: Grandmother 'Song (Inland Territory), Zoe Rounder www.rounder.com
15. Tony Trischka: Salt River (Territory), Smithsonian Folkways www.folkways.si.edu
16. Truckstop Souvenir: For the Coal (Under a Big Blue Sky), self www.truckstopsouvenir.com 17. Kathy Mattea: Coal Tattoo (Coal), Thirty Tigers www.mattea.com
18. Truckstop Honeymoon: The Cover of the N.Y.T. (Great Big Family), Squirrel www.truckstophoneymoon.com
Ticket giveaway for Rhythm & Roots:
19. The Duhks: Magalenha (Fast Paced World), Sugar Hill www.sugarhillrecords.com
20. Big Sandy & Los Straitjackets: Silent Partner (Man of Somebody's Dreams), Yep Roc www.yeproc.com
21. Eilen Jewell: Shakin' All Over (Sea of Tears), Signature Sounds www.signaturesounds.com 22. Cedric Watson: La Vielle Chanson de Mardi Gras (Cedric Watson), Valcour www.valcourrecords.com
Domestic violence in the news:
23. Maura O'Connell: I Would Be Stronger Than That (Blue Is the Colour of Hope), Warner Bros 24. Lisa Moscatiello: His Hands (Innocent When You Dream), Happy Cactus http://lisamoscatiello.com/
25. Tom Paxton/Anne Hills/Bob Gibson: She Sits on The Table (Best of Friends), Appleseed www.appleseedrecords.com
26. Connie Kaldor: One Hit (Gentle of Heart), Oak Street www.conniekaldor.com
27. Gretchen Peters: Independence Day (downloaded single), self www.gretchenpeters.com
The Dreaded Folk Calendar over selections from Notorious's "Elkins," Black Socks Press www.notoriousfolk.com
A beloved tree was felled this past week:
28. Anne Dodson: Big Green Tree (Against the Moon), Beech Hill http://www.midcoast.com/~beechhil/ADodson/
Healthcare is going... where?
29. Ian Robb: They're Taking It Away (From Different Angels), Fallen Angle http://www.finestkind.ca/ian.html
30. Garnet Rogers: Election Night, North Dakota (At A High Window), Snow Goose www.garnetrogers.com
Eliza's playing in Ridgefield on Tuesday and in Brockton on Saturday:
31 & 32. Eliza Gilkyson: Wildewood Spring & Gret Correction (Beautiful World), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
33. The Wailin' Jennys: Deeper Well (Live at The Mauch Chunk Opera House), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
34. David Olney: Revolution (The Wheel), Loudhouse www.loudhousemusic.com
35. Eliza Gilkyson et al: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Honoring Woody Guthrie Isn't As Easy As It Sounds
Honoring Woody isn’t as easy as it sounds
POST SCRIPT •
Portland’s attempts to give Guthrie his due have been thwarted in the past
By Michael Munk, The Portland Tribune, Aug 13, 2009
Congratulations and Godspeed to Nick Sauvie and the Lents Neighborhood Association for proposing to name the Interstate 205 foot and bike path that leads through their neighborhood to the Columbia River for one of its most famous former residents (Rollin’ in Woody’s Shadow, July 30).
Woodrow Wilson Guthrie and his family lived in a rear apartment at 6111 S.E. 92nd Ave. for little more than a month in 1941, but as Steve Law’s article makes clear, that was long enough to produce an explosion of music that, almost 70 years later, continues to evoke our river and region throughout the world.
I am delighted to join Woody’s fans to urge our politicians to respond and honor Lents and the path with his name. But given Portland’s history of reluctance to name its built environment for anyone other than pioneer robber barons, natural-resource speculators and other old white men, we should pay attention to how previous efforts to place Woody’s name on local facilities have fared.
The rest is at
http://www.portlandtribune.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=125010606848658100
POST SCRIPT •
Portland’s attempts to give Guthrie his due have been thwarted in the past
By Michael Munk, The Portland Tribune, Aug 13, 2009
Congratulations and Godspeed to Nick Sauvie and the Lents Neighborhood Association for proposing to name the Interstate 205 foot and bike path that leads through their neighborhood to the Columbia River for one of its most famous former residents (Rollin’ in Woody’s Shadow, July 30).
Woodrow Wilson Guthrie and his family lived in a rear apartment at 6111 S.E. 92nd Ave. for little more than a month in 1941, but as Steve Law’s article makes clear, that was long enough to produce an explosion of music that, almost 70 years later, continues to evoke our river and region throughout the world.
I am delighted to join Woody’s fans to urge our politicians to respond and honor Lents and the path with his name. But given Portland’s history of reluctance to name its built environment for anyone other than pioneer robber barons, natural-resource speculators and other old white men, we should pay attention to how previous efforts to place Woody’s name on local facilities have fared.
The rest is at
http://www.portlandtribune.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=125010606848658100
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Good essay about Pete Seeger, including reviews of new publications
Richard Flacks on Pete Seeger
posted August 7, 2009
Pete Seeger turned 90 on May 3, providing the occasion for a huge Madison Square Garden celebratory concert, featuring a wide array of popular musicians singing his songs and honoring his influence. In the two years prior to this event, Seeger had gotten more mainstream attention than he’d received in his previous 70 years of performing. Bruce Springsteen recorded several CDs called “The Seeger Sessions” and simultaneously went on an international tour featuring material drawn from Seeger’s folksong repertory. There was a documentary film bio, released on public TV and theatrically, called “Pete Seeger: The Power of Song.” There’s an ongoing campaign to get him nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
A long adulatory essay on Seeger appeared in The New Yorker and an extended version with the same main title—“The Protest Singer”—is now out as one of three recently published biographies. In addition to the book by Alec Wilkinson, there is a biographical narrative by historian Allan M. Winkler, “To Everything There Is a Season,” and a major updating of David King Dunaway’s “official” biography, “How Can I Keep From Singing,” originally published in 1981.
The attention Pete Seeger is now getting is certainly deserved, given his influence on American music and the nature of his life story. Yet, one feature of that story is that he is one of the least well-known famous persons in America. I use protest music a lot in my teaching about social movements; over the years, I’ve found that fewer than 5 percent of my students at UC Santa Barbara can identify Seeger (and this is probably a higher proportion than one would find in a sample of the wider public). Of course, the attention he’s gotten in recent years has undoubtedly enabled many more to identify him, but he remains paradoxically shadowy, given his importance.
Yet this paradox goes to the heart of what his life has been about.
The rest is at
http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/item/20090806_richard_flacks_on_pete_seeger/
posted August 7, 2009
Pete Seeger turned 90 on May 3, providing the occasion for a huge Madison Square Garden celebratory concert, featuring a wide array of popular musicians singing his songs and honoring his influence. In the two years prior to this event, Seeger had gotten more mainstream attention than he’d received in his previous 70 years of performing. Bruce Springsteen recorded several CDs called “The Seeger Sessions” and simultaneously went on an international tour featuring material drawn from Seeger’s folksong repertory. There was a documentary film bio, released on public TV and theatrically, called “Pete Seeger: The Power of Song.” There’s an ongoing campaign to get him nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
A long adulatory essay on Seeger appeared in The New Yorker and an extended version with the same main title—“The Protest Singer”—is now out as one of three recently published biographies. In addition to the book by Alec Wilkinson, there is a biographical narrative by historian Allan M. Winkler, “To Everything There Is a Season,” and a major updating of David King Dunaway’s “official” biography, “How Can I Keep From Singing,” originally published in 1981.
The attention Pete Seeger is now getting is certainly deserved, given his influence on American music and the nature of his life story. Yet, one feature of that story is that he is one of the least well-known famous persons in America. I use protest music a lot in my teaching about social movements; over the years, I’ve found that fewer than 5 percent of my students at UC Santa Barbara can identify Seeger (and this is probably a higher proportion than one would find in a sample of the wider public). Of course, the attention he’s gotten in recent years has undoubtedly enabled many more to identify him, but he remains paradoxically shadowy, given his importance.
Yet this paradox goes to the heart of what his life has been about.
The rest is at
http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/item/20090806_richard_flacks_on_pete_seeger/
Sunday, August 9, 2009
8/9/09 Playlist
1 - 3. Phil Rosenthal: Sail Away Ladies, Chord Song, Golden Slippers (A Treasury of Bluegrass and Country Songs), American Melody www.americanmelody.com
4. Rory Block: Terraplane Blues (The Lady and Mr. Johnson), Rykodisc
5. TR Ritchie: Heaven (Wild Horses), Apex www.trritchie.com
6. Catie Curtis with Mary Gauthier: Hello Stranger (Hello, Stranger), Compass www.catiecurtis.com
7. Michael Smith: Tom Dundee (Love Letter on A Fish), Tales from the Tavern www.talesfromthetavern.com
8 & 9. TR Ritchie: A Delicate Balance & I'm Gonna Take It With Me (Wild Horses), Apex www.trritchie.com
Mike Seeger died on Friday, just before his 76th birthday.
From "True Vine," Smithsonian Folkways 40136 www.folkways.si.edu
10 - 13. Shouting in Jerusalem, When Sorrows Encompass Me Round, Calico, Early in The Spring
From the new Songs from Sing Out!, V. 53 #1 www.singout.org
14. Diana Jones: Better Times Will Come
15. Justin Townes Earle: They Killed John Henry
16. Julie Fowlis: An t-Aparan Goirid's an t-Aparan Ur
17. John Kruth: The Raven-Headed Hunter
It's Cathy Fink's birthday -- these songs are from the new CD made with Marcy Marxer and Christylez Bacon "Banjo to Beatbox," Community Music www.cathymarcy.com
18 - 21. Syncopated Washboard Rhythm Song, Soup Soup, Froggy Went A Courtin,' Barnyard Dance
More from Mike Seeger, this time with Paul Brown on "Way Down in North Carolina," Rounder 0983 www.rounder.com
19 - 22. Make Me A Pallet, Goodbye Little Bonnie, What'll I Do with The Baby O, Way Down in North Carolina
Anniversary of bombing Nagasaki:
23. Jim Page: Hiroshima-Nagasaki Russian Roulette (Visions in My View), Flying Fish LP
24. Utah Phillips: Enola Gay (El Capitan), Philo LP
Anniversary of Nixon leaving office:
24. Tom Paxton: Talking Watergate (New Songs from The Briarpatch), Vanguard LP
25. Charlie King: I Don't Feel Sorry for You, Mr. Nixon (Old Dreams and New Nightmares), CW Records LP
26. Lucy Wainwright Roche: Snare Drum (8 More), self www.myspace.com/lwrlwr
27. Red Hen: Old Greasy Coat (New Old Time), self www.redhen.net
The Dreaded Folk Calendar over selections from Beyond the Pale's "Postcards," Borealis www.borealisrecords.com
More from Mike Seeger, this time with many friends, from "The Second Annual Farewell Reunion," Mercury LP
28. with The Strange Creek Singers: I Am A Traveling Creature
29. with The Strange Creek Singers: You'll Find Her Name Written There
30. with Maria Muldaur: Take Me Back to The Sweet Sunny South
31. with Elizabeth Cotten: New Year's Eve Song
32. Darrell Scott: The Devil (Modern Hymns), Appleseed www.appleseedmusic.com
33. Matraca Berg / Gretchen Peters / Suzy Bogguss: Farther Along (The Sewanee Sessions), self http://myspace.com/winewomen
34. Ben Bullington: White Sulphur Springs (White Sulphur Springs), self www.benbullington.com
35. Rod Picott & Amanda Shires: Arrows on Your Compass (Sew Your Heart with Wires), self www.rodpicott.com
36. Bruce Robison: The New One (The New World), Premium
37. Eliza Gilkyson et al: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
4. Rory Block: Terraplane Blues (The Lady and Mr. Johnson), Rykodisc
5. TR Ritchie: Heaven (Wild Horses), Apex www.trritchie.com
6. Catie Curtis with Mary Gauthier: Hello Stranger (Hello, Stranger), Compass www.catiecurtis.com
7. Michael Smith: Tom Dundee (Love Letter on A Fish), Tales from the Tavern www.talesfromthetavern.com
8 & 9. TR Ritchie: A Delicate Balance & I'm Gonna Take It With Me (Wild Horses), Apex www.trritchie.com
Mike Seeger died on Friday, just before his 76th birthday.
From "True Vine," Smithsonian Folkways 40136 www.folkways.si.edu
10 - 13. Shouting in Jerusalem, When Sorrows Encompass Me Round, Calico, Early in The Spring
From the new Songs from Sing Out!, V. 53 #1 www.singout.org
14. Diana Jones: Better Times Will Come
15. Justin Townes Earle: They Killed John Henry
16. Julie Fowlis: An t-Aparan Goirid's an t-Aparan Ur
17. John Kruth: The Raven-Headed Hunter
It's Cathy Fink's birthday -- these songs are from the new CD made with Marcy Marxer and Christylez Bacon "Banjo to Beatbox," Community Music www.cathymarcy.com
18 - 21. Syncopated Washboard Rhythm Song, Soup Soup, Froggy Went A Courtin,' Barnyard Dance
More from Mike Seeger, this time with Paul Brown on "Way Down in North Carolina," Rounder 0983 www.rounder.com
19 - 22. Make Me A Pallet, Goodbye Little Bonnie, What'll I Do with The Baby O, Way Down in North Carolina
Anniversary of bombing Nagasaki:
23. Jim Page: Hiroshima-Nagasaki Russian Roulette (Visions in My View), Flying Fish LP
24. Utah Phillips: Enola Gay (El Capitan), Philo LP
Anniversary of Nixon leaving office:
24. Tom Paxton: Talking Watergate (New Songs from The Briarpatch), Vanguard LP
25. Charlie King: I Don't Feel Sorry for You, Mr. Nixon (Old Dreams and New Nightmares), CW Records LP
26. Lucy Wainwright Roche: Snare Drum (8 More), self www.myspace.com/lwrlwr
27. Red Hen: Old Greasy Coat (New Old Time), self www.redhen.net
The Dreaded Folk Calendar over selections from Beyond the Pale's "Postcards," Borealis www.borealisrecords.com
More from Mike Seeger, this time with many friends, from "The Second Annual Farewell Reunion," Mercury LP
28. with The Strange Creek Singers: I Am A Traveling Creature
29. with The Strange Creek Singers: You'll Find Her Name Written There
30. with Maria Muldaur: Take Me Back to The Sweet Sunny South
31. with Elizabeth Cotten: New Year's Eve Song
32. Darrell Scott: The Devil (Modern Hymns), Appleseed www.appleseedmusic.com
33. Matraca Berg / Gretchen Peters / Suzy Bogguss: Farther Along (The Sewanee Sessions), self http://myspace.com/winewomen
34. Ben Bullington: White Sulphur Springs (White Sulphur Springs), self www.benbullington.com
35. Rod Picott & Amanda Shires: Arrows on Your Compass (Sew Your Heart with Wires), self www.rodpicott.com
36. Bruce Robison: The New One (The New World), Premium
37. Eliza Gilkyson et al: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
Mary McCaslin's interview with Mike Seeger
Mary writes:
In honor of Mike Seeger's memory, here's a youtube link to my radio interview with him during his KZSC visit in 2001....
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6B8FBAF339D397E5.
It is also on www.marymccaslin.com.
In honor of Mike Seeger's memory, here's a youtube link to my radio interview with him during his KZSC visit in 2001....
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6B8FBAF339D397E5.
It is also on www.marymccaslin.com.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Mike Seeger has died
Musician Mike Seeger has died at age 75. He was a leading figure in the 20th century resurgence of American traditional music and a noted field collector of rural southern music. He recorded hundreds of musicians in their homes and local performing venues.
Seeger died Friday night at his home in Lexington, Va., of cancer.
Seeger grew up in a renowned musical family, a brother of social activists and musicians Pete and Peggy Seeger.
Paul Brown has more at NPR's site at
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111690155
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Boston Globe review of Newport
New and old celebrate 50 years of folk at Newport
By James Reed, Globe Staff August 3, 2009
NEWPORT, R.I. - No matter how diverse the programming, there’s always a naysayer who grumbles about the mix of old and new at Newport’s fabled folk festival. This was not the year to complain. To celebrate the event’s golden anniversary, this year dubbed Folk Festival 50, the event was one of the most triumphant and inclusive in recent memory.
And to think it almost didn’t happen. When the festival’s future was in question earlier this year, original executive producer George Wein took back the reins and scrambled to fill two days with an impressive lineup that appealed, in producer Jay Sweet’s words, to “the musical omnivore.’’
The musicians, in particular, acknowledged how the music had come full circle from heritage artists to the ones who will build on their legacy. The Avett Brothers’ Scott Avett mentioned Ramblin’ Jack Elliott’s huge influence on his band. Backstage yesterday, Judy Collins embraced Neko Case upon meeting her for the first time. And nearly everyone praised Pete Seeger, the festival’s headliner on both days and iconic elder statesman of folk who’s kicking hard at 90.
The rest is at
http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/08/03/new_and_old_celebrate_50_years_of_folk_at_newport/
By James Reed, Globe Staff August 3, 2009
NEWPORT, R.I. - No matter how diverse the programming, there’s always a naysayer who grumbles about the mix of old and new at Newport’s fabled folk festival. This was not the year to complain. To celebrate the event’s golden anniversary, this year dubbed Folk Festival 50, the event was one of the most triumphant and inclusive in recent memory.
And to think it almost didn’t happen. When the festival’s future was in question earlier this year, original executive producer George Wein took back the reins and scrambled to fill two days with an impressive lineup that appealed, in producer Jay Sweet’s words, to “the musical omnivore.’’
The musicians, in particular, acknowledged how the music had come full circle from heritage artists to the ones who will build on their legacy. The Avett Brothers’ Scott Avett mentioned Ramblin’ Jack Elliott’s huge influence on his band. Backstage yesterday, Judy Collins embraced Neko Case upon meeting her for the first time. And nearly everyone praised Pete Seeger, the festival’s headliner on both days and iconic elder statesman of folk who’s kicking hard at 90.
The rest is at
http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/08/03/new_and_old_celebrate_50_years_of_folk_at_newport/
Sunday, August 2, 2009
8/2/09 Playlist
1. Bud and Travis: Cloudy Summer Afternoon (Spotlight on Bud and Travis), Liberty LP
2. Jay Linden: August Night (Satchel), self www.jaylinden.com
3. Cheryl Wheeler: Summer Fly (Pointing at The Sun), DlAS www.diasrecords.com
4. Richard Shindell: A Summer Wind, A Cotton Dress (Courier), Signature Sounds www.signaturesounds.com
5. Sara Watkins: Long Hot Summer Days (Sara Watkins), Nonesuch www.sarawatkins.com
6. Greg Brown: Summer Evening (Over and Under), Trailer www.trailer-records.com
7. Christine Lavin: A Firefly's Life (single download), self www.christinelavin.com
We lost Sandy Paton last Sunday...
8. Across The Blue Mountain (Sandy and Caroline Paton), Folk-Legacy 1966
9. Rowdy Soul (New Harmony), Folk-Legacy 1987
10. Chilly Winds (Sandy and Caroline Paton), Folk-Legacy
11. May the Road Rise with You (New Harmony), Folk-Legacy
12. Sarah Ogan Gunning: I Have Letters from My Father (Girl of Constant Sorrow), Folk-Legacy 1965
13. Frank Proffitt: Cluck Old Hen (Frank Proffitt), Folk-Legacy 1962
14. Howard W. Mitchell: Six Modal Tunings for The Traditional Dulcimer (The Mountain Dulcimer: How to Make It and Play It -- After A Fashion), Folk-Legacy 1966
15. Sara Grey: Fiddlers Green (Sara Grey with Ed Trickett), Folk-Legacy 1970
16. Ed Trickett: River of The Big Canoe (People Like You), Folk-Legacy 1982
17. Ann Mayo Muir: When the Lady Mary Sails (So Goes My Heart), Folk-Legacy 1985
18. Joe Hickerson: Doney Gal (Folk Songs and Ballads Sung By Joe Hickerson...), Folk-Legacy 1970
19. Cilla Fisher / Artie Tresize: False Lover Won Back (For Foul Day And Fair), Folk-Legacy 1978
20. The Brilliant Inventions: Dream about Your Girlfriend (Standing Room), CD is out of print but song is available at iTunes
21. Buffy Sainte-Marie: Working for The Government (Running for The Drum), Appleseed 1117 www.appleseedmusic.com
22. Sam Baker: Palestine II (Cotton), Music Road www.sambakermusic.com
23. Lucy Wainwright Roche with Martha Plimpton: Hungry Heart (8 More), self www.myspace.com/lwrlwr
24. The Low Anthem: Cage The Songbird (Oh My God, Charlie Darwin), Nonesuch www.nonesuch.com
25. Lucy Wainwright Roche: Saddest Sound (8 Songs), self www.myspace.com/lwrlwr
26. The Brilliant Inventions: Isn't It Worth It (Have You Changed), self www.thebrilliantinventions.com
27. Paul Sachs: Bridges Burning (Refuge), self www.paulsachs.com
The Dreaded Folk Calendar over selections from Sharon Isbin's "Journey to The New World," Sony Classical
28. Donna Ulisse: Child of The Great Depression (Walk This Mountain Down), Hadley Music Group www.hadleymusicgroup.com
29. Crosby Tyler: Warmth of My Tears (10 Songs of America Today), Bohemia www.myspace.com/crosbytyler10songsofamericatoday
30. Pierce Pettis: Pastures of Plenty (That Kind of Love), Compass www.compassrecords.com
31. May Erlewine: The Turning (Love Labor), Fox on A Hill www.foxonahill.com
32. James Talley: The Girls from Kelowna (Heartsong), Cimarron download
33. Gretchen Peters with Tom Russell: Wolves (One to The Heart, One to The Head), Scarlet Letter Records www.grretchenpeters.com
34. Jim Photoglo: Kudzu (Is It Me?), Grifftone www.jimphotoglo.com
35. Amy Speace: The Weight of The World (The Killer in Me), Wildflower www.amyspeace.com
36. Alastair Moock: Woody's Lament (Fortune Street), CoraZong www.moock.com
37. Eliza Gilkyson et al: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
2. Jay Linden: August Night (Satchel), self www.jaylinden.com
3. Cheryl Wheeler: Summer Fly (Pointing at The Sun), DlAS www.diasrecords.com
4. Richard Shindell: A Summer Wind, A Cotton Dress (Courier), Signature Sounds www.signaturesounds.com
5. Sara Watkins: Long Hot Summer Days (Sara Watkins), Nonesuch www.sarawatkins.com
6. Greg Brown: Summer Evening (Over and Under), Trailer www.trailer-records.com
7. Christine Lavin: A Firefly's Life (single download), self www.christinelavin.com
We lost Sandy Paton last Sunday...
8. Across The Blue Mountain (Sandy and Caroline Paton), Folk-Legacy 1966
9. Rowdy Soul (New Harmony), Folk-Legacy 1987
10. Chilly Winds (Sandy and Caroline Paton), Folk-Legacy
11. May the Road Rise with You (New Harmony), Folk-Legacy
12. Sarah Ogan Gunning: I Have Letters from My Father (Girl of Constant Sorrow), Folk-Legacy 1965
13. Frank Proffitt: Cluck Old Hen (Frank Proffitt), Folk-Legacy 1962
14. Howard W. Mitchell: Six Modal Tunings for The Traditional Dulcimer (The Mountain Dulcimer: How to Make It and Play It -- After A Fashion), Folk-Legacy 1966
15. Sara Grey: Fiddlers Green (Sara Grey with Ed Trickett), Folk-Legacy 1970
16. Ed Trickett: River of The Big Canoe (People Like You), Folk-Legacy 1982
17. Ann Mayo Muir: When the Lady Mary Sails (So Goes My Heart), Folk-Legacy 1985
18. Joe Hickerson: Doney Gal (Folk Songs and Ballads Sung By Joe Hickerson...), Folk-Legacy 1970
19. Cilla Fisher / Artie Tresize: False Lover Won Back (For Foul Day And Fair), Folk-Legacy 1978
20. The Brilliant Inventions: Dream about Your Girlfriend (Standing Room), CD is out of print but song is available at iTunes
21. Buffy Sainte-Marie: Working for The Government (Running for The Drum), Appleseed 1117 www.appleseedmusic.com
22. Sam Baker: Palestine II (Cotton), Music Road www.sambakermusic.com
23. Lucy Wainwright Roche with Martha Plimpton: Hungry Heart (8 More), self www.myspace.com/lwrlwr
24. The Low Anthem: Cage The Songbird (Oh My God, Charlie Darwin), Nonesuch www.nonesuch.com
25. Lucy Wainwright Roche: Saddest Sound (8 Songs), self www.myspace.com/lwrlwr
26. The Brilliant Inventions: Isn't It Worth It (Have You Changed), self www.thebrilliantinventions.com
27. Paul Sachs: Bridges Burning (Refuge), self www.paulsachs.com
The Dreaded Folk Calendar over selections from Sharon Isbin's "Journey to The New World," Sony Classical
28. Donna Ulisse: Child of The Great Depression (Walk This Mountain Down), Hadley Music Group www.hadleymusicgroup.com
29. Crosby Tyler: Warmth of My Tears (10 Songs of America Today), Bohemia www.myspace.com/crosbytyler10songsofamericatoday
30. Pierce Pettis: Pastures of Plenty (That Kind of Love), Compass www.compassrecords.com
31. May Erlewine: The Turning (Love Labor), Fox on A Hill www.foxonahill.com
32. James Talley: The Girls from Kelowna (Heartsong), Cimarron download
33. Gretchen Peters with Tom Russell: Wolves (One to The Heart, One to The Head), Scarlet Letter Records www.grretchenpeters.com
34. Jim Photoglo: Kudzu (Is It Me?), Grifftone www.jimphotoglo.com
35. Amy Speace: The Weight of The World (The Killer in Me), Wildflower www.amyspeace.com
36. Alastair Moock: Woody's Lament (Fortune Street), CoraZong www.moock.com
37. Eliza Gilkyson et al: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
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