Joanna Newsom, the Changeling
Jody Rosen, New York Times, March 3, 2010
"There is no shortage of Joanna Newsom Theory. Newsom is among the most critically lionized American musicians to emerge in the past decade. (This year, Roan Press published “Visions of Joanna Newsom,” featuring essays by Dave Eggers and other admirers.) She is certainly one of the most singular. She’s a classically trained virtuoso on an instrument withJoanna Newsom, the Changeling little meaningful popular-music lineage. She writes sprawling songs, unhinged from verse-chorus pop form and crammed full-to-bursting with lyrics that owe more to John Donne and Anne Sexton than to any songwriting sources. All of this would seem to relegate Newsom to the high-art avant-garde hinterlands. Yet she is an indie-rock star: “The Milk-Eyed Mender” and “Ys” (pronounced “ees”), from 2007, sold 200,000 and 250,000 copies respectively, huge numbers for independent-label releases, especially in the anemic 21st-century record marketplace. But sales figures don’t tell the whole story; her popularity is a phenomenon of depth, not breadth. To the members of her cult, Newsom inspires the kind of exegetical fervor that Bob Dylan did in 1966 — fandom on the high-rock album-era model, with devotees who pore over the runes of lyric sheets like Talmudists."
The rest at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/magazine/07Newsom-t.html?pagewanted=1&sq=Joanna Newsom&st=cse&scp=2
[I don't see any references to Loreena McKennitt, which surprises me -- she's not an indie-music darling, but she's been mixing and matching themes and styles and traditions and influences for decades.]
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Anais Mitchell and "Hadestown" on Weekend Edition
March 6, 2010
The ancient tale of Orpheus searching for his beloved in the underworld has been told many times. The Greek hero with musical superpowers was portrayed by composer Monteverdi in an early-17th-century opera. And in the 1800s, Jacques Offenbach told it differently. His famous opera featured gods and goddesses dancing the cancan for the finale. Now, the desolate journey of Orpheus is presented in a new way: as a folk opera written by singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell in collaboration with Ben Matchstick and Michael Chorney.
The rest is at
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124357681
The ancient tale of Orpheus searching for his beloved in the underworld has been told many times. The Greek hero with musical superpowers was portrayed by composer Monteverdi in an early-17th-century opera. And in the 1800s, Jacques Offenbach told it differently. His famous opera featured gods and goddesses dancing the cancan for the finale. Now, the desolate journey of Orpheus is presented in a new way: as a folk opera written by singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell in collaboration with Ben Matchstick and Michael Chorney.
The rest is at
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124357681
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
3-7-10 Playlist
On Tuesday the Southern Poverty Law Center released a report about the growth of Hate Groups in the past year; these first 3 sets of songs are about hate and its victims:
1. Terri Hendrix: Judgment Day (The Art of Removing Wallpaper), Wilory www.terrihendrix.com
2. Ellen Bukstel/Nick Annis: By My Silence (2008/2009 Music to Life), Public Domain
3. Chuck Brodsky: In the Beginning (Tulips for Lunch), Waterbug www.chuckbrodsky.com
4. Lui Collins: Guinevere and The Fire (Stone by Stone), Molly Gamblin www.luicollins.com
5. Tom Waits: Road to Peace (Orphans), Anti-
6. Ralph McTell: Peppers and Tomatoes (Sand in Your Shoes), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
7. Hugh Blumenfeld: Laramie (Mr. Jekyll & Dr. Hyde), self www.hughblumenfeld.com
8. Richard Berman: Jacob Weintraub (Dreamer), Aries
9. Kevin So: Just Like You, I'm An American (Along the Way), Omni
10. Ann Reed: God Is Sleeping / Medley (Telling Stories), Turtlecub
11. Roy Zimmerman: Kill A Doctor for Christ (Security), Metaphor www.royzimmerman.com
12. Jack Williams: This Moment Is Mine (Eternity & Main), Wind River www.folkera.com/windriver
13. Roy Zimmerman: Defenders of Marriage (Faulty Intelligence), Metaphor www.royzimmerman.com
Guest: Kerri Powers (Hungry Tiger 3/14), www.kerripowers.com
14. Tallulah Send A Car for Me (live)
15. Shadow of Someone
16. Do You Hear Footsteps (Faith in The Shadows), self
17. To Love Somebody (live)
18. Fireworks and Cheap Repairs (live)
Ticket Giveaway:
19. Natalie MacMaster (Jorgensen 3/19 & 20): Matt's & Nat's (Yours Truly), Rounder www.rounder.com
The Dreaded Folk Calendar over selections from Pete Huttlinger's "The Santa Rita Connection," self
It's Liz Meyer's birthday:
20 & 21. Blue Lonesome Wind & The Only Wind That Blows (The Storm), Strictly Country www.strictlycountryrecords.com
One more ticket giveaway:
22. Natalie MacMaster: Mother Nature (Yours Truly), Rounder www.rounder.com
Concerts:
23. BluesGrass (Fred's Brick House 3/14): Tear My Stillhouse Down (BluesGrass), self
24. Grada (Iron Horse 3/12): John Riley (Natural Angle), Compass www.compassrecords.com 25. Garnet Rogers (PACE 3/13 ): Here Tonight (Shining Thing), Snow Goose www.garnetrogers.com
26. Four Bitchin' Babes (Springfield Symphony Hall 3/11-3/13): Chocolate (Diva Nation), self www.fourbitchinbabes.com
27. Aztec Two-Step (3/12): Old Friends (Time It Was), Red Engine www.aztectwostep.com
28. Eliza Gilkyson et all: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
1. Terri Hendrix: Judgment Day (The Art of Removing Wallpaper), Wilory www.terrihendrix.com
2. Ellen Bukstel/Nick Annis: By My Silence (2008/2009 Music to Life), Public Domain
3. Chuck Brodsky: In the Beginning (Tulips for Lunch), Waterbug www.chuckbrodsky.com
4. Lui Collins: Guinevere and The Fire (Stone by Stone), Molly Gamblin www.luicollins.com
5. Tom Waits: Road to Peace (Orphans), Anti-
6. Ralph McTell: Peppers and Tomatoes (Sand in Your Shoes), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
7. Hugh Blumenfeld: Laramie (Mr. Jekyll & Dr. Hyde), self www.hughblumenfeld.com
8. Richard Berman: Jacob Weintraub (Dreamer), Aries
9. Kevin So: Just Like You, I'm An American (Along the Way), Omni
10. Ann Reed: God Is Sleeping / Medley (Telling Stories), Turtlecub
11. Roy Zimmerman: Kill A Doctor for Christ (Security), Metaphor www.royzimmerman.com
12. Jack Williams: This Moment Is Mine (Eternity & Main), Wind River www.folkera.com/windriver
13. Roy Zimmerman: Defenders of Marriage (Faulty Intelligence), Metaphor www.royzimmerman.com
Guest: Kerri Powers (Hungry Tiger 3/14), www.kerripowers.com
14. Tallulah Send A Car for Me (live)
15. Shadow of Someone
16. Do You Hear Footsteps (Faith in The Shadows), self
17. To Love Somebody (live)
18. Fireworks and Cheap Repairs (live)
Ticket Giveaway:
19. Natalie MacMaster (Jorgensen 3/19 & 20): Matt's & Nat's (Yours Truly), Rounder www.rounder.com
The Dreaded Folk Calendar over selections from Pete Huttlinger's "The Santa Rita Connection," self
It's Liz Meyer's birthday:
20 & 21. Blue Lonesome Wind & The Only Wind That Blows (The Storm), Strictly Country www.strictlycountryrecords.com
One more ticket giveaway:
22. Natalie MacMaster: Mother Nature (Yours Truly), Rounder www.rounder.com
Concerts:
23. BluesGrass (Fred's Brick House 3/14): Tear My Stillhouse Down (BluesGrass), self
24. Grada (Iron Horse 3/12): John Riley (Natural Angle), Compass www.compassrecords.com 25. Garnet Rogers (PACE 3/13 ): Here Tonight (Shining Thing), Snow Goose www.garnetrogers.com
26. Four Bitchin' Babes (Springfield Symphony Hall 3/11-3/13): Chocolate (Diva Nation), self www.fourbitchinbabes.com
27. Aztec Two-Step (3/12): Old Friends (Time It Was), Red Engine www.aztectwostep.com
28. Eliza Gilkyson et all: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
Saturday, March 6, 2010
A Tour of The Martin Guitar Factory
Guitar Towns: C.F. Martin
The Martin family has been making prized guitars since 1830. They still make them by hand -- with a little assist from robots.
By Jim Washburn for MSN City Guides
C.F. Martin I and his family had emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1833, a daunting proposition involving some three months on pitching seas to arrive in a roiling new land whose future was by no means secure.
Martin was fed up with the old world, where his town's guild of violinmakers had tried to force him out of business. Here, he was free to develop uniquely American guitar designs that have allowed him and his successive guitar-making Martins to thrive for 177 years. From settlers' covered wagons to space shuttle launches, Martin guitars have been along for the ride, and Martin instruments have facilitated the music of Hank Williams, Elvis, the Beatles, Eric Clapton, John Mayer and thousands of other name musicians.
Even before the first C.F. Martin had a factory, company records show that musicians were traveling to visit the family house on Cherry Hill above Nazareth, Pa., where he built his guitars, says Dick Boak, Martin's head of artist relations and limited edition instruments. For much of the company's history, there weren't organized tours: Folks would turn up and whoever wasn't busy would show them around. The company started conducting organized tours in the 1960s, after the boom in guitar-driven folk and rock music had necessitated building a new factory, and had inspired more people to seek the source of their sound.
More at:
http://local.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=23425576&page=0
The Martin family has been making prized guitars since 1830. They still make them by hand -- with a little assist from robots.
By Jim Washburn for MSN City Guides
C.F. Martin I and his family had emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1833, a daunting proposition involving some three months on pitching seas to arrive in a roiling new land whose future was by no means secure.
Martin was fed up with the old world, where his town's guild of violinmakers had tried to force him out of business. Here, he was free to develop uniquely American guitar designs that have allowed him and his successive guitar-making Martins to thrive for 177 years. From settlers' covered wagons to space shuttle launches, Martin guitars have been along for the ride, and Martin instruments have facilitated the music of Hank Williams, Elvis, the Beatles, Eric Clapton, John Mayer and thousands of other name musicians.
Even before the first C.F. Martin had a factory, company records show that musicians were traveling to visit the family house on Cherry Hill above Nazareth, Pa., where he built his guitars, says Dick Boak, Martin's head of artist relations and limited edition instruments. For much of the company's history, there weren't organized tours: Folks would turn up and whoever wasn't busy would show them around. The company started conducting organized tours in the 1960s, after the boom in guitar-driven folk and rock music had necessitated building a new factory, and had inspired more people to seek the source of their sound.
More at:
http://local.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=23425576&page=0
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Rounder Records' 40th Anniversary
Rounder Records at 40
Airing on PBS stations this month (beginning Saturday) is "Rounder Records' 40th Anniversary Concert," a celebration of the storied and thriving Massachusetts-based independent music label. Artists performing range from bluegrass superstars Alison Krauss and Union Station to New Orleans soul queen Irma Thomas, singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter, rocking actress Minnie Driver, multigenre banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas. They're all on the Rounder label—in some cases, for decades. (A companion CD with additional performances included is being released Wednesday, and an extended DVD on May 4.)
For the most part, independent record labels come and go, or get swept up into larger music-making conglomerates with new management, often with little institutional memory at all. Remarkably, Rounder—begun in 1970 with a recording of old-time banjo player George Pegram, and the home last year of the Grammy-winning Album of the Year (Alison Krauss and Robert Plant's "Raising Sand")—is still helmed, if with a much larger executive staff, by the same three roots-music aficionados who started up the company with no industry experience whatsoever. The '60s folk-music revival was waning, and the whole range of music that Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy and Bill Nowlin loved was becoming frustratingly hard to find.
The rest is at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704299804575095580934398368.html
Airing on PBS stations this month (beginning Saturday) is "Rounder Records' 40th Anniversary Concert," a celebration of the storied and thriving Massachusetts-based independent music label. Artists performing range from bluegrass superstars Alison Krauss and Union Station to New Orleans soul queen Irma Thomas, singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter, rocking actress Minnie Driver, multigenre banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas. They're all on the Rounder label—in some cases, for decades. (A companion CD with additional performances included is being released Wednesday, and an extended DVD on May 4.)
For the most part, independent record labels come and go, or get swept up into larger music-making conglomerates with new management, often with little institutional memory at all. Remarkably, Rounder—begun in 1970 with a recording of old-time banjo player George Pegram, and the home last year of the Grammy-winning Album of the Year (Alison Krauss and Robert Plant's "Raising Sand")—is still helmed, if with a much larger executive staff, by the same three roots-music aficionados who started up the company with no industry experience whatsoever. The '60s folk-music revival was waning, and the whole range of music that Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy and Bill Nowlin loved was becoming frustratingly hard to find.
The rest is at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704299804575095580934398368.html
Sunday, February 28, 2010
2/28/10 Playlist
1. Carolina Chocolate Drops: Snowden's Jig (Genuine Negro Jig), Nonesuch www.carolinachocolatedrops.com
2. Patty Griffin: Death's Got A Warrant (Downtown Church), Credential www.pattygriffin.com
3. Patrick Bloom: Minnesota (Ghosts of Radio), Mud Dauber www.patrickbloom.com
4. Patty Larkin w/ Beppe Gambetta: St. Augustine (25), Signature Sounds www.signaturesounds.com
Concerts:
5. Hoots & Hellmouth (Pearl Street 3/6): Family Band (The Holy Open Secret), Mad Dragon www.hootsandhellmouth.com
6. Atwater-Donnelly (Aubrey at Windsor Art Center 3/4): She Sits at Her Loom (The Blackest Crow), Rabbit Island www.atwater-donnelly.com
7. Brooks Williams (Iron Horse 3/7): Lightning (The Time I Spend with You), Red Guitar Blue Music www.brookswilliams.com
8. Maria Sangiolo (Plainfield Town Hall 3/5): Red Tent (One Autumn Night), Long Night Moon www.mariasangiolo.com
9. Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem (The Kate 3/7): They All Ask'd For You (Ranky Tanky), self www.raniarbo.com
10. Kerri Powers (Iron Horse 3/3, S.N.F.F. 3/7): Do You Hear Footsteps (Faith in the Shadows), self www.kerripowers.com
11. Todd Snider (Iron Horse 3/3): Corpus Christi Bay (The Excitement Plan), Yep Roc www.yeproc.com
12. Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas (Iron Horse 3/2): St. Kilda Wedding / Brose & Butter (Fire & Grace), Culburnie www.culburnie.com
13. Notorious (Sounding Board 3/6): Gelem, Gelem / medley (Elkin), Black Socks www.notoriousfolk.com
14. Jonathan Edwards (Stone Soup 3/6): Seven Daffodils (Rollin' Along), Strictly Country www.StrictlyCountryRecords.com
15. Girlyman (Iron Horse 3/6): Easy Bake Ovens (Everything's Easy), self www.girlyman.com 16. Catie Curtis (Garde 3/6): (Hello, Stranger), Compass www.catiecurtis.com
Eliza Gilkyson at Roaring Brook 3/6 www.elizagilkyson.com:
17. Rosie Strike Back (Legends of Rainmaker), Gold Castle
18. Lights of Santa Fe (Through The Looking Glass), Private Music
19. Solitary Singer (Redemption Road), Silver Wave
20. Great Correction (Beautiful World), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
Grace Griffith's famous cat Miss Kitty died this week; she was included on a couple of album covers over the years -- these songs aren't about her, but what the heck:
21 & 22. Cindy Mangsen: Open That Can & The Familiar (Cat Tales), Compass Rose www.compassrosemusic.com
More concerts:
23. Black 47 (Half Door 3/6): One Starry Night (Bankers and Gangsters), United for Opportunity www.UFOmusic.com
24. Lunasa (Crawford & Vallely in Middletown house concert 3/6): Bulgarian Rock (The Kinnitty Sessions), Compass www.compassrecords.com
The Dreaded Folk Calendar over selections from Fraser & Haas's "Fire & Grace," Culburnie
Birthdays:
25. Jim Mercik w/Hugh Blumenfeld: Is This Enough (Rocket Science), Prime CD www.hughblumenfeld.com
26. Jacquie Manning/Small Potatoes: Waltz of The Wallflowers (Waltz of The Wallflowers), Wind River www.folkera.com/windriver
27. Matt & Shannon Heaton: Keeper of The Game (Dearga), self www.eatsrecords.com
28. Jim Douglas / Old Blind Dogs: The Wisest Fool (Play Live), Green Linnet
Nuclear power, the CLEAN solution!
29. John Hall: Plutonium Is Forever (No Nukes), Elektra
30. Tom Paxton: All Clear in Harrisburg (The Paxton Report), Mountain Railroad LP
31. Doobie Brothers / John Hall / James Taylor: Power (No Nukes), Elektra
32. Don Lange: Take the Children and Run (Don Lange Live), Flying Fish LP
33. Gil Scott-Heron: We Almost Lost Detroit (No Nukes), Elektra
34. Fred Small: Hot Frogs on The Loose (Everything Possible), Flying Fish
35. Eliza Gilkyson et al: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
2. Patty Griffin: Death's Got A Warrant (Downtown Church), Credential www.pattygriffin.com
3. Patrick Bloom: Minnesota (Ghosts of Radio), Mud Dauber www.patrickbloom.com
4. Patty Larkin w/ Beppe Gambetta: St. Augustine (25), Signature Sounds www.signaturesounds.com
Concerts:
5. Hoots & Hellmouth (Pearl Street 3/6): Family Band (The Holy Open Secret), Mad Dragon www.hootsandhellmouth.com
6. Atwater-Donnelly (Aubrey at Windsor Art Center 3/4): She Sits at Her Loom (The Blackest Crow), Rabbit Island www.atwater-donnelly.com
7. Brooks Williams (Iron Horse 3/7): Lightning (The Time I Spend with You), Red Guitar Blue Music www.brookswilliams.com
8. Maria Sangiolo (Plainfield Town Hall 3/5): Red Tent (One Autumn Night), Long Night Moon www.mariasangiolo.com
9. Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem (The Kate 3/7): They All Ask'd For You (Ranky Tanky), self www.raniarbo.com
10. Kerri Powers (Iron Horse 3/3, S.N.F.F. 3/7): Do You Hear Footsteps (Faith in the Shadows), self www.kerripowers.com
11. Todd Snider (Iron Horse 3/3): Corpus Christi Bay (The Excitement Plan), Yep Roc www.yeproc.com
12. Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas (Iron Horse 3/2): St. Kilda Wedding / Brose & Butter (Fire & Grace), Culburnie www.culburnie.com
13. Notorious (Sounding Board 3/6): Gelem, Gelem / medley (Elkin), Black Socks www.notoriousfolk.com
14. Jonathan Edwards (Stone Soup 3/6): Seven Daffodils (Rollin' Along), Strictly Country www.StrictlyCountryRecords.com
15. Girlyman (Iron Horse 3/6): Easy Bake Ovens (Everything's Easy), self www.girlyman.com 16. Catie Curtis (Garde 3/6): (Hello, Stranger), Compass www.catiecurtis.com
Eliza Gilkyson at Roaring Brook 3/6 www.elizagilkyson.com:
17. Rosie Strike Back (Legends of Rainmaker), Gold Castle
18. Lights of Santa Fe (Through The Looking Glass), Private Music
19. Solitary Singer (Redemption Road), Silver Wave
20. Great Correction (Beautiful World), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
Grace Griffith's famous cat Miss Kitty died this week; she was included on a couple of album covers over the years -- these songs aren't about her, but what the heck:
21 & 22. Cindy Mangsen: Open That Can & The Familiar (Cat Tales), Compass Rose www.compassrosemusic.com
More concerts:
23. Black 47 (Half Door 3/6): One Starry Night (Bankers and Gangsters), United for Opportunity www.UFOmusic.com
24. Lunasa (Crawford & Vallely in Middletown house concert 3/6): Bulgarian Rock (The Kinnitty Sessions), Compass www.compassrecords.com
The Dreaded Folk Calendar over selections from Fraser & Haas's "Fire & Grace," Culburnie
Birthdays:
25. Jim Mercik w/Hugh Blumenfeld: Is This Enough (Rocket Science), Prime CD www.hughblumenfeld.com
26. Jacquie Manning/Small Potatoes: Waltz of The Wallflowers (Waltz of The Wallflowers), Wind River www.folkera.com/windriver
27. Matt & Shannon Heaton: Keeper of The Game (Dearga), self www.eatsrecords.com
28. Jim Douglas / Old Blind Dogs: The Wisest Fool (Play Live), Green Linnet
Nuclear power, the CLEAN solution!
29. John Hall: Plutonium Is Forever (No Nukes), Elektra
30. Tom Paxton: All Clear in Harrisburg (The Paxton Report), Mountain Railroad LP
31. Doobie Brothers / John Hall / James Taylor: Power (No Nukes), Elektra
32. Don Lange: Take the Children and Run (Don Lange Live), Flying Fish LP
33. Gil Scott-Heron: We Almost Lost Detroit (No Nukes), Elektra
34. Fred Small: Hot Frogs on The Loose (Everything Possible), Flying Fish
35. Eliza Gilkyson et al: Peace Call (Land of Milk and Honey), Red House www.redhouserecords.com
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