Folk Show Forum

Jonathan Byrd in State College December 15!

2010-12-11T12:07:40Z

Jonathan Byrd will be playing a house concert in State College on December 15 at 6:30 PM (dinner starting at 5). Jonathan is just amazing! Very brief background: 7th generation North Carolinian; Navy veteran; 2003 Kerrville New Folk winner; traveling troubadour. Songs that sound new and old at the same time. Wonderful finger-picking. He’s the guy about whom Tom Paxton said: “What a treat to hear someone so deeply rooted in tradition, yet growing in his own beautiful way.” He’ll have copies with him of his latest CD Cackalack—not available for regular retail purchase until its formal release in January.

I’ve been lucky enough to hear Jonathan play several times, formally and around a campfire, on stage and at a house concert. This is going to be great night! Email laurelzemail at gmail dot com or call 235-1833 for more details and to reserve a seat.

Irish band, GOITSE - House Concert

2011-12-26T10:21:34Z

The Irish band GOITSE will perform a house concert on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 @ 7PM at Oak Mountain Hideaway in Rolling Stone, PA. Traditional melodies, modern rhythms and new compositions are synthesized by this five piece band. Goitse (pronounced gwi-cha) is an informal Gaelic Irish greeting meaning ‘come here’ - so why not ‘Goitse’ and listen to this exciting band who are “bound for success” - RSVP to ann dot nachman at gmail dot com.

Jim Malcolm House concert review.

2009-09-23T10:47:54Z

Two disclaimers: First, I was one of the hosts for the Jim Malcolm host concert last night. Second, although I have for some time very much appreciated Jim’s songwriting, and thoroughly enjoy his voice and Scottish accent, before last night I wouldn’t have recommended his live performance as an absolute “must-see”
At the concert last night, though, I saw a theatrical side to Malcolm that really bumped up my appreciation of his performances. If you’re familiar with the Scottish comic Craig Ferguson (host of The Late, Late Show that follows David Letterman) you might think of Jim Malcolm as “Robert Burns meets Craig Ferguson” The core of Malcolm’s concerts is his evocative and well-crafted songs, but he has a wicked good comic sense that he gives voice to as well. In the last year he’s spent part of each concert in costume as the 250 year-old Robert Burns, remarkably well preserved at that! It was an amazing comic performance, on top of stories and beautifully delivered songs that gave me new appreciation for Burns, as well as Jim Malcolm.

DePue Brothers at Arts Fest this July!

2011-05-07T16:54:01Z

The DePue Brothers will be coming to State College to play Arts Fest on Saturday, July 16!! An amazing group from Bowling Green, Ohio, these four brothers mix bluegrass, rock, and classical. Alex (who calls himself “the fiddler” - http://www.thefiddlerllc.com/index) has put out two wonderful albums recently with the Mexican classical guitarist Miguel De Hoyos. Jason is the first violin for the Philadelphia Orchestra. Zachary is concertmaster for the Indianapolis Symphony. Listen to the 8 pm Saturday Night Edition of the Folk Show on May 14 to hear some music by the DePue Brothers!

Speaking of Arts Fest, Frank Vignola will be playing on Thursday night (July 14). If you caught December’s Mark O’Connor Acoustic Brew show at WPSU, you know what an amazing guitar player he is!!

Crookston and Solebello at Acoustic Cafe

2011-03-13T22:59:45Z

I headed out to Park Ridge, NJ today to catch a show with Carolann Solebello (formerly of Red Molly) opening for Ithaca’s Joe Crookston. What an excellent show… this was like a master class in how to be a performing songwriter. Crisp performances, great songs, great audience interaction, and tunes both old and new. Both artists offered up songs from their forthcoming releases (Joe’s is slated to be out this Tuesday), along with some wonderful covers including Mary Gauthier’s Mercy Now, the old chestnut Satisfied Mind, and a nice duo take on Bury Me Beneath the Willow.

Joe was playing a new addition to his musical collection, a fretless gourd banjo crafted by a friend from Ithaca, in addition to his Martin and 5 string banjo; Carolann played her trusty mahogany dreadnought that Red Molly fans will remember well.

Highlights for me were Carolann’s new one about a “crimson red” pickup truck, and Joe’s Able Baker Charlie and Dog, the true tale of his grandfather’s work in WWII creating the runways the Enola Gay departed from before her epic mission. I’m guessing I’ve seen Joe solo about 6 or 7 times now, at venues from living rooms to festivals, and he is an inspiration in constantly raising his own bar for performances. I’m humbled at the dynamics, the power, just the sheer joy he seems to be having during his sets. This was a genuine treat for me to be able to catch the show with Carolann opening; it’s wonderful to hear a set full of her songs and her voice… if I had a complaint about Red Molly, it was Carolann didn’t sing lead enough; it’s nice to hear her in a setting that is more of a showcase for her individual talent… and also great to hear how well her songs stand up on their own, without the harmonies that defined the RM sound.

All in all, a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Acoustic Folk Artist, Brooke Annibale, at the HUB free noon Friday 4/15/2011

2011-04-14T14:10:40Z

Hey all, The Collegian has an article about a 23 yr. old woman named Brooke Annibale from Pittsburgh who will be performing Friday at noon in the HUB on Penn State campus. She’s touring with her 3rd CD. Guitar and singing. It is in the HUB first floor lounge.
If you are old like me, well older than the falsely conceived idea of age on a campus, don’t sweat it. Various ages attend.
There’s an article in the Collegian. http://collegian.psu.edu

Paul

Diana Jones at Acoustic Brew in Lemont??????!!!!!!

2010-12-02T00:31:54Z

Diana Jones
Sat. Jan. 22 7:30 PM
The Center for Well Being, $16

Well done to whomever scheduled this show. Diana Jones in the Remembrance of You CD was fantastic and she was new folk singer/performer at Kerrville. If you are planning on going since this is in Lemont at the Center for Well Being, you better get your ticket early.

Again well done to Acoustic Brew for bringing a real class act, Diana Jones, to central PA.

Few Tickets Remain for Mark O’Connor Hot Swing Dec 1 at WPSU

2010-11-20T09:29:31Z

In just 11 days Mark O’Connor brings HOT SWING to the WPSU studios for a rare treat, an intimate concert featuring O’Connor on fiddle, Frank Vignola and Hans Holzen on guitars, Gary Mazzaroppi on bass, and vocalist Jane Monheit.

The last time O’Connor performed in central Pa, he played the 2000 seat Eisenhower auditorium. This time, concert goers will see him up close and personal, in a room that will seat only about 150 people. The concert will be broadcast live on WPSU TV, so the total audience will be large, but only a few will be able to attend in person.

If you’d like tickets please go to Acoustic Brew—fewer than 30 tickets remain.

Songwriters in the Round at Godfrey Daniels

2010-11-16T21:18:30Z

Zoe Mulford, Marc Douglas Berardo and Betty Soo.

It’s always a treat for me to hear good songwriters in the round, playing off one another, and this show at the Bethlehem institution Godfrey Daniels was no exception. Marc Douglas Berardo remains, to me, one of the best at writing with a sense of place, evoking stories and characters from the harbor town where he lives, short little Springsteen-quality vignettes about his seafaring neighbors, Castro-era Havana, and more. His driving guitar style propels the songs; when you start watching what he’s actually doing on his Gibson you start becoming more and more impressed, as he switches from pick to fingerpicking, does Nashville hybrid (pick and fingers) picking, uses a boatload of “color” chords… It’s been almost three years since mdb has played in PA outside of the Philly area, and it was good to welcome him back.

Zoe was wonderful in her gentle elegance; beautifully fingerpicked ballads and story songs laced with a warm sense of humor… it’s hard to talk to Zoe and not leave feeling like you’re best friends. Since moving to England several years ago, Mulford has been drawing in more influences from the British tradition, and it’s adding even more depth and resonance to her music. She draws you in on singalongs, and got a great response for the evening’s single cover, her banjo-based take on 1952 Vincent Black Lightning.

Betty Soo was new to me; perhaps it’s being more familiar with the other two artists work, but while I loved her voice, her songs and audience interaction just didn’t connect with me for the most part. She’s certainly quite good; guess she just falls into the “not quite my cup of tea” category. Interestingly, I would guesstimate that she had the largest following there from the three performers, so, hey, probably just me.

All in all, a fine evening, well worth the 3 hour drive from Bellefonte!

3rd Annual Harry Smith Festival @ Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks

2010-11-07T10:29:45Z

3rd Annual Harry Smith Festival Sun 14th @ Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks - 2:00-8:00 p.m.
http://www.elkcreekcafe.net

Butcher Boy and Steve
Hannah Bingman and Doug McMinn
Little Silver
Moore & Sons w/ Curtis Eller
The Wringers

Halfway point - 16 mm movie, and short speechifying by Hope Fund and Library

Marah
KC Rounders
Peter Stampfel and Ether Frolic
Catherine Irwin
Chicken Tractor Deluxe

Benefits the Penns Valley Hope Fund, a local organization that assists local families facing sudden and unexpected financial and health crises. http://www.pennsvalleyhopefund.com and the East Penns Valley Library, your local library has expanded. Every great community needs a great library.