Tag Archives: folk music

The Weavers’ The Best of the Vanguard Years

“What are you listening to?” my wife asked me in an incredulous tone of voice. I was listening to The Weavers singing “On Top of Old Smoky,” one of the priceless tracks on this collection, The Best of the Vanguard Years. I suspect … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Weavers’ The Best of the Vanguard Years

Fred Hellerman RIP

Howlin’ Wuelf Media Fred Hellerman, the last surviving member of The Weavers has passed away. The NY Times ran a lovely and informative account of his and the band’s career mentioning the role Alan Lomax played in their ascent from … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Fred Hellerman RIP

S.J. Tucker’s Haphazard

You watched me walking in; I know you did viper’s glance like I’ve never seen, taking me in Like a vessel, like a parcel, like a package, like a dream. Did you notice, oh, I wonder: our meaning didn’t correspond, … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on S.J. Tucker’s Haphazard

S.J. Tucker’s For the Girl in the Garden and Solace and Sorrow

Given Catherynne M. Valente’s interest in interstitial art, it is unsurprising that creators in all media have been drawn to her Orphan’s Tales duology. As part of the October 30th launch for the second book, In the Cities of Coin and Spice, Valente … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on S.J. Tucker’s For the Girl in the Garden and Solace and Sorrow

Anna Tivel’s Heroes Waking Up

Anna Tivel sings her songs of world-weariness and hope in a voice that sounds a lot younger than her words. The Northwest-raised Tivel currently calls Portland home, but she’s spent a lot of time on the road and with her … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Anna Tivel’s Heroes Waking Up

Taj Mahal’s Taj Mahal: Autobiography of a Bluesman

Born in New York, Henry Saint Clair Fredericks has been known as Taj Mahal for most of his sixty years. The original Taj Mahal is an icon of beauty and remembrance representing love and amazing craftsmanship which stands outside of … Continue reading

Posted in Books | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Taj Mahal’s Taj Mahal: Autobiography of a Bluesman

Down From The Mountain / Grateful Dawg

When I received a DVD player for my 50th birthday last August, my two sons had visions of using it to watch crystal clear wide-screen versions of Jackie Chan and Jean-Claude van Damme movies. Not when I’m around! Well, once … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Down From The Mountain / Grateful Dawg

Aallotar’s In Transit

Aallotar is a new duo making contemporary Finnish folk music. Finnish-American fiddler Sara Pajunen (who I previously knew from two albums cut with American guitarist Jonathan Rundman in Kaivama) and Finnish accordionist Teija Niku (Polka Chicks) met in early 2013 … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Aallotar’s In Transit

Anaïs Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer’s Child Ballads

The songs known as Child Ballads were collected by the American scholar Francis James Child in England, Scotland and America in the late 19th century. They have influenced the folk music of Britain and America ever since, forming the backbone … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Anaïs Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer’s Child Ballads

Charles de Lint’s Old Blue Truck

I’m not sure what I expected Charles de Lint to sound like as a singer. Whatever it was I expected, it wasn’t what I got. We’re calling Old Blue Truck folk/trad-singer/songwriter music, and I suppose that’s as good a description … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Charles de Lint’s Old Blue Truck