Jeff Black is one of our absolute favorite Nashvillian singer/songwriters. Check out Jeff's Special Christmas Podcast here - and if he is new to you, we encourage you to visit his website sometime to get better aquainted!
In the coming days, we'll post Folk Alley staff and host's Favorite CDs of 2008 on this website, but if you'd like to see a preview, snapshot sampler of our individual lists - check out the the NPRMusic website. There you'll see 10 examples of our Top Picks of the Year, as submitted by Chris Boros, Ann Verwiebe, Jim Blum, Doug Hite (Jim Blum's trusty production assistant) and me.
To see our Top CD Lists from 2007 and 2006 - click here!
We are very saddened to annouce the passing of the great folk blues legend, Odetta. She was 77 years old. Odetta had recently been hospitalized in New York City for kidney failure, and succumbed to heart failure on Tuesday.
On a personal note, I will remember the first time I met Odetta at the Town Hall Theater in NYC, when I was booking the musical guests for A Prairie Home Companion. As soon as she walked through the door for sound check that day, her commanding presence and energy filled the room. She was a strong, funny, wise and gracious woman.
Here's Odetta's obituary sent from her record label - M.C. Records:
Odetta was born in Birmingham Alabama, Dec. 31 1930.
Her father, Reuben Holmes, died when she was young, and in 1937 she and her mother, Flora Sanders, moved to Los Angeles. Three years later, Odetta discovered that she could sing.
She found her own voice by listening to blues, jazz and folk music from the African-American and Anglo-American traditions. She earned a music degree from Los Angeles City College. Her training in classical music and musical theater was "a nice exercise, but it had nothing to do with my life," she said.
In 1950, Odetta began singing professionally in a West Coast production of the musical "Finian's Rainbow," but she found a stronger calling in the bohemian coffeehouses of San Francisco. "We would finish our play, we'd go to the joint, and people would sit around playing guitars and singing songs and it felt like home," she said.
She began singing in nightclubs, cutting a striking figure with her guitar and her close-cropped hair.
Her voice plunged deep and soared high, and her songs blended the personal and the political, the theatrical and the spiritual. Her first solo album, "Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues," resonated with an audience hearing old songs made new.
Bob Dylan, referring to that recording, said in a 1978 interview, "The first thing that turned me on to folk singing was Odetta." He said he heard something "vital and personal," and added, "I learned all the songs on that record." It was her first, and the songs were "Mule Skinner," "Jack of Diamonds," "Water Boy," " 'Buked and Scorned."
Her blues and spirituals led directly to her work for the civil rights movement. They were two rivers running together, she said in her interview with The Times. The words and music captured "the fury and frustration that I had growing up."
Her fame hit a peak in 1963, when she marched with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and performed for President John F. Kennedy. But after King was assassinated in 1968, the wind went out of the sails of the civil rights movement and the songs of protest and resistance that had been the movement's soundtrack. Odetta's fame flagged for years thereafter.
In 1999 President Bill Clinton awarded Odetta the National Endowment for the Arts
Odetta was married three times: to Don Gordon, to Gary Shead, and, in 1977, to the blues musician Iverson Minter, known professionally as Louisiana Red. The first two marriages ended in divorce; Mr. Minter moved to Germany in 1983 to pursue his performing career.
She was singing and performing well into the 21st century, and her influence stayed strong.
The critic called her "a majestic figure in American music, a direct gateway to bygone generations that feel so foreign today."
It's that time of year to reflect back on all the great music released in 2008, and to compile our annual "Best Of" lists. We'll be posting our individual Folk Alley staff picks on the website soon, but this is the place for you - the Folk Alley audience - to tell us your favorite new CDs released in '08 (so far), your favorite new musical discoveries (e.g. new artists or bands that you recently discovered,) or how about your favorite new songs of the year?
Please add your favorites for 2008 below, and help us build our Best of 2008 Side Stream that will be available on-demand at the end of December and through the month of January.
Let's hear 'em!
To help refresh your memory, see below for a list of (most of) the new music added to Folk Alley in 2008..
Kelly Mulhollen and Donna Stjerna are Still On The Hill. They are from the Ozarks and have been creating quirky and creative traditionally based music for years. Recently they began quizzing their audiences to see if anyone knew of any interesting backwoods people with untold stories. They received enough suggestions for a dozen albums.
They discovered Clara Byler, a woman from Batesville who began collecting coffee mugs and tying them to a tree in her front yard. This was creative therapy for Clara who learned that her son was dying of AIDS. They learned about Jessi Jones who made banjos and could whittle wood chains 20' long. He told them a funny story about 7 pies. You'll hear it on Folk Alley. Through this album you'll discover the talents of an ex-slave stonemason named Willie. Somewhat forgotton, his grave now has a proper tombstone commemorating his efforts. Then there is Coin Harvey who wanted to build a pyramid to warn future civlizations not to make the same mistakes.
Kelly and Donna's research generated enough interest that they received a grant to complete the project. They have captured a part of the history of their region and made it into a musical documentary that we can all be proud of. Reading about and listening to Ozark: A Celebration in Song is an enlightening experience and should make you curious about the untold wonder in your own neighborhood.
Greensky Bluegrass is a contemporary bluegrass band based out of Kalamazoo, Michigan.They won the best new band contest at Telluride in 2006 and have been opening for groups like Sam Bush, Ralph Stanley, and the Flecktones.
What does that mean, anyway - contemporary bluegrass? Well, the group features bluegrass instruments: banjo, guitar, mandolin, dobro, and upright bass. They can sing high and lonesome if required. What separates them from most traditional bands is that they write and perform their own songs. More significantly, they cover topics usually not included in the standard fair: accepting the natural decline of life ("Old Barns"), a reflection about personal sacrifice for the good of others ("Reverend") and a zen appoach to making decisions ("Against The Days").
The chord structure is thoughtful as well, and the arrangements often allow for solo improvization. Musically, any of these songs are worth hearing, but the fact that they bring up these topics makes them worth hearing over and over. The heart is drawn to appearances, but it's the mind that falls in love. These songs stay with you.
The only knock might be the production values. The levels aren't well mixed. The vocals don't stand out above the instruments and the instrumental solos don't stand out against the rhythm section. I saw them live and noticed the same thing, so perhaps this is the sound they are going for. Either that or this is the sound producer Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth) likes. Tim has produced their last two CDs. It might be time for a set of outside ears. That's all Greensky needs to get to the next level.
You've heard them on A Praire Home Companion over 3 decades, but you might still see them at a house concert. Despite being the most familiar artists on Garrison Keillor's radio show, Robin and Linda are as genuine and as down to earth as your favorite aunt and uncle. On top of that they are musical poets.
The album begins with a marvelous observation about successful relationships. The best couples give each other freedom which only makes their bond stronger. ("Tied Down, Home Free"). The Williams are also not hesitant to tackle controversy. "I'm Invisible Man" discusses the homeless, raising the point that not everyone is on the streets because they didn't try. Robin told me in our recent interview, which you can hear on Folk Alley, that homelessness, usually ignored, will soon be our problem like it or not. There is also a testimony to famous instruments which you can see in the Country Music Hall of Fame ("Maybelle's Guitar and Monroe's Mandolin.") Though the heroes have left us, their tools remain, and seeing them behind glass is like witnessing the results of an archeological dig.
Like fine wine, Robin and Linda just keep getting better. Producer Tim O'Brien, who plays on almost every song, respected their material, and coaxed the best out of his performers.
There is plenty of variety in the subjects covered, the instruments chosen and the arrangements created. Ask for this bottle of Robin & Linda Williams, as you'll find something to go with any meal.
Born in Iowa, Lindsay Mac has quite a resume of the places she's been. She has studied at the Interlochen School for the Arts, The Royal College of Music in London, the San Francisco Conservatory, The Berklee School of Music in Boston, and Dartmouth College, where she studied medicine. She has also been a ski patroller in Utah and lived in a cabin with a wood stove. Needless to say, she has some life experiences to draw from.
Not too many songwriters accompany themselves on cello. Even fewer are women.
That makes Lindsay Mac pretty special. She is not a gimmick however; Lindsay's songs
hold up and she delivers them with flair.
"Faith" reveals the story of two people with entirely different backgrounds, one wealthy and one not. Both are miserable, but have high hopes. Why? Mac is hoping you'll figure it out.
"Does She" crys out with emotions we've all worked through - the wonder about our replacement in a broken love affair. We learn about a young man's dreams, and how they were changed by a well trained army recruiter ("His Dreams"). There's even a Beatle tune, "Blackbird," and if you listen closely, you'll hear the sound of the imperfections of a vinyl record skipping to the beat. Lindsay must be too young to remember that sound, but you may remember wishing that the skip would join the beat. Here it does.
Some of the songs are too personal, and sometimes Mac's delivery is a bit strident, but the songs above are top shelf, and seem too grow better with each listen. That usually means there was a lot there to begin with.
Why Workshops Work (25 Kent State Folk Fest Sessions are Different)
November 18, 2008
Years ago as a kid I heard Al Bartholet talking about the Kent State Folk Festival on the radio. Ready for something different I decided to go. Much to my disappointment the concerts were sold out, so I went to the free workshops. To many, a workshop means you bring your instrument and sit in on a group lesson. Not at Kent State. These workshops are more discussion/illustration and often focus on themes. Stage/audience barriers are gone and it's easy for a surface interest in folk music to become infatuation.
There are 5 per hour covering 5 hours. You cannot get to all of them, though I tried.
Rio Neon offered "Re-arrangements." The five piece band showed how they take an existing song and change it to fit their group. They played a recording of the earliest version of the song and then they performed it their way. It was fascinating and there were lots of questions. The Rhondas demonstrated harmony as Jen Maurer coaxed the audience into singing the three parts.
Several from the Folk Alley music library led sessions. Jann Klose and Adam Klein held a discussion about "Performing Abroad." Jann is from Germany and Adam has lived in Mali and worked with the Peace Corp. Chris Castle joined Matt & Shannon Heaton for "Folk Alley Networking." The three explained how they used Folk Alley's Open Mic website feature to gain exposure and then to find work around the country. Matt & Shannon also presented "Anatomy of an Irish Session" and filled in for Alex Bevan with "Making Your Own CD"
There WERE some opportunities for beginning players. Woodsy's Music guitar instructor Kerry Kean talked about "Effective Practice." Another Woodsy's teacher, Dale Galgozy, offered "Instructor/Student Dynamics," cleverly presenting two teachers and two students allowing the audience to witness the interaction. Despite what I said earlier about these workshops being mostly demonstrational, I see the festival presenting more opportunities for attendees to actually play, likely in an organized jam setting.
One of the best sessions was "Bluegrass and Old Time, What's the Difference?" Hillbilly IDOL guitarist, Paul Kovac, had a bluegrass banjo player and a bluegrass fiddler standing to his left and an old timey fiddler and banjo player seated to his right. He played with both sets of players. Paul compared the differences and similarities to Democracy and Socialism: "Old Time music is like socialism. Everyone plays in unison, and takes pride in the group effort. There is no required beginning or end to the tune and often no one sings. Bluegrass is like a democracy. The songs are very structured but individuals can show their own personality through improvisation." Paul then added, slightly tongue in cheek: "The problem with Bluegrass as a democracy is that everyone gets their chance at a solo whether or not they have anything brilliant to add."
The Kent State Folk Festival workshops are an introduction. They are a means for anyone to develop more of an interest, plus they are loads of fun. Since they are free, there is no barrier to entry.
A new way to support Folk Alley! Learn how to convert your old car into folk music!
Send us a picture of you in your Folk Alley T-shirt! We'll add it to our
gallery and you could win fabulous prizes.
Meet the people behind the scenes who are working to keep the "folk wheels" rolling in their community!
Folk Alley is partnering with Festivalink.net to offer our members live music downloads!
Fresh Cuts offers a 3-hour stream of the best of recently released music with new updates added weekly. 
Cherish the Ladies played a special holiday show at the Happy Days Lodge near Cleveland, Ohio, on December 18, 2008. Folk Alley presents this special concert for the Holiday season.
