Folk Show Forum

John Doyle released a new album - Shadow and Light

2011-10-13T21:06:47-05:00

On Shadow and Light, his second solo effort and the follow up to Wayward Son (2005), Doyle establishes himself as a masterful composer as well. 10 of the album’s 11 tracks were all written by Doyle and include an engaging and mesmerizing combination of songs and tunes. Notable tracks include the Civil War inspired “Clear the Way”, which tells the story of the Irish Americans who served, “Liberty’s Sweet Shore” about Irish immigration to the US, and the blockbuster set of tunes entitled “Donald Ward’s” which features an otherworldly performance from guest fiddler Stuart Duncan. Through it all, Doyle’s tenor vocals and driving guitar playing are front and center, establishing him as a multi-faceted talent in Irish music with a album that is destined to become a classic in the genre.

http://www.johndoylemusic.com

If you like what you hear then watch for house concert details to come soon!

Mike Seeger

2009-07-29T14:35:57-05:00

Mark Moss of Sing Out! Magazine just passed on this terrible news about one of America’s last great troubadours:

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From FolkLore Productions:

“With regret, we must tell you that our dear friend Mike Seeger has chosen to end the treatments against his cancer, and has entered hospice care. He is clear about and at peace with this decision.”

Mary Katherine’s note included a few words from Mike’s wife Alexia, indicating that they are headed home tomorrow (Thursday), and that family is gathering. She added that “musical memories and messages” mean a lot to Mike.

Anyone wishing to send a message should write care of Folklore Productions at: <mkaldin@folkloreproductions.com>
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I know I wasn’t the only one on this list that saw Mike play this spring at the Lutheran Church in Reedsville—for folk enthusiasts I’m just not sure there’s a parallel performer in terms of his depth, range, and experience.

Adam

Townes Van Zandt tribute show - Saturday, January 7, 8-10 pm

2012-01-04T16:45:47-05:00

Join the Folk Show for a tribute to the late, great Townes Van Zandt, who passed away 15 years ago (on January 1, 1997).

I’ll be posting some references to stories told during the show as well as some resources for those wanting to learn more about Townes here afterwards.

I hope you can join us for this show!

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I hope you enjoyed the Townes Van Zandt tribute show tonight (Jan 7, 2012)! If you want to learn more about the life of Townes Van Zandt, here are some places to start:

“Townes Van Zandt - Be Here to Love Me”, a 2005 film by Margaret Brown. It’s available on DVD. (It includes segments from a much earlier documentary “Heartworn Highways”, which is very hard to find.)

“A Deeper Blue: The Life and Music of Townes Van Zandt” by Robert Earl Hardy, University of North Texas Press, 2008.

For reflections on Townes’ music by other musicians, check out the just released 2012 book, “I’ll Be Here in the Morning: The Songwriting Legacy of Townes Van Zandt” by Brian T. Atkinson (Texas A&M University Press.)

There are many YouTube videos of Townes and others playing Townes music - well worth some time exploring! Here’s a beautiful version of If I Needed You by Emmylou Harris & Steve Earle followed by an old video of Townes himself singing it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SysBazd50D8&feature=related

The Townes Van Zandt Memorial page: http://uspest.org/coopl/tvzmem.html

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Here are the citations for the quotations used in the Jan 7, 2012 Townes’ tribute show:

* Townes’ quotation at the beginning (”... it takes blowing everything off ...”): from documentary “Townes Van Zandt: Be Here to Love Me”.

*John Gorka quotation about “Pancho & Lefty” - “I’ll Be Here in the Morning” (p. 119).

* The Nanci Griffith quotations about “Tecumseh Valley” came from live concerts shown in these two YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kTEk0W6xE4 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXMTq9hJ3Ow

* Joe Ely story: in both the documentary “Townes Van Zandt: Be Here to Love Me” and in “A Deeper Blue” (p. 87).

* Guy Clark comment about having booked this gig 30 years ago: in the documentary “Townes Van Zandt: Be Here to Love Me” and “A Deeper Blue” (p. 266).

* Steve Earle quotation about Townes being “the best damn songwriter in the world” - “A Deeper Blue” (p. 3)

* Lyle Lovett quotation about performing Townes’ songs - “I’ll Be Here in the Morning” (p. 115).

* Townes’ quotation about “I think my life will run about before my work does ..”: “Townes Van Zandt: Be Here to Love Me”.

* Justin Townes Van Zandt quotation about his father: “A Deeper Blue” (p. 269)

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View the Folk Show playlist when it’s posted (in a few days) to see the full list of songs played on the show.

Recordings of Weekend Folk Show Segments posted on the ARCHIVE page

2011-09-26T08:33:04-05:00

If you need some folk music to get you through the week, click on the ARCHIVE tab at the top of the page. You can hear a show you missed this past weekend, or your choice of shows going back several weeks. The Archive page is updated every week.

Remembering Bob Thomas, bass player with “No Strings Attached”

2012-01-18T11:23:59-05:00

No Strings Attached is one of those bands that ought to be more more widely known than they are. Each of their members is an impressive musician in multiple genres, and on multiple instruments; their arrangements are creative and engaging, and when they’re on stage, it’s hard to not at least smile if not laugh. Their joy in being together creating music is obvious. Bob came across as the most subdued member on stage, but his wry smile and humor of his “I’m a Hog for you Baby” make it clear he had a wicked sense of humor.

New of his death in early December just reached me a couple of days ago, and I’m saddened to think I won’t get to see him again. Bob suffered a heart attack, and died later from complications. I’ll be hosting the Folk show this Saturday morning from 6-8AM, and look forward to sharing some music featuring Bob then.

You can find rememberances and some photos at Beth Wellington’s blog:
http://bethwellington.blogspot.com/2011/12/if-theres-heaven-bob-thomas-is-playing.html

Jonathan Byrd in State College December 15!

2010-12-11T12:07:40-05:00

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

2011-12-26T10:21:34-05:00

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.

song from Madagascar!?!

2010-10-28T11:28:56-05:00

Hi! I was in the Peace Corps in Madagascar but rarely found local music that I liked. Imagine my astonishment when I heard a great song in Malagasy, the language of Madagascar, play on The Folk Show’s online stream just now (10/28, 11:20 am)!! Could anyone please tell me the song title and (especially) the artist? Thanks so much.

Pronunciation Help. How is “____” pronounced ?

2011-10-06T16:21:03-05:00

Thought it might be worth starting a thread. I know I could use pointers on a few artist/band names (and not just the Portugese/Spanish/Italian/German/French names that Tom Beebee pronounces so well} . Wikipedia and other web sites often don’t have readily accessible info for folk artist names, so maybe we should start building a web resource, maybe just a google doc…..

We could start with Bert Jansch JANsch.

Joel Mabus is another that comes to mind (MAY-biss)

I often have to re-look up Celtic names like Aoife….

What folky names come to mind for you….

Does ukulele qualify as a folk instrument?

2010-07-25T14:20:05-05:00

In all openness, I have a ukulele website - UkeCanPlay.com - but my intent is to hear from the folk music world about my instrument of choice…

Recently I have seen some amazing cigar-box ukuleles being crafted and played in a more country/folk style than the typical Polynesian style. Even traditional ukes seem to be finding their way to folk groups, such as The Barnkickers.

Would ukulele players be welcomed in folk circles, and if so, is there any interest in learning to play this sweet sounding, four string beauty?