Folk Music Notes: 2010

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Best albums, November 2010

Of the albums that arrived in the station in November 2010, my favorite was First Star by New England Irish Harp Orchestra, a Christmas album of mostly instrumental music played, as you can probably guess, on harp.

Honorable mention goes to Triple Play by All She Wrote. It's called Triple Play because it only has three songs on it. They chose songs that have been covered by Peter, Paul, and Mary (Polly Von, If I Were Free, The Kid). I definitely liked the songs they chose. I wasn't sure at first about their performances of those songs, but they won me over after I listened a bit.

Best album, October 2010

Of the albums that arrived at the station in October 2010, by favorite was Broad Old River 2 by the Hudson River Sloop Singers. It's not musically sophisticated, but the rousing singalongs raise the spirit.

Honorable mention goes to:

These Old Roots by The Honey Dewdrops
Between the Notes by the Krüger Brothers
(More Better) Molasses Creek by Molasses Creek

Monday, November 22, 2010

Branching out

Branching Out by John Gorka

Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Peter Yarrow Sing-Along Special | Blowin' in the Wind | PBS

A beautiful rendition of "Blowin' in the Wind" by Peter Yarrow and friends.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

That Harp Guy performing Scum of the Earth

I saw this guy performing at the farmer's market this morning -- Thaddeus "Gaffer" Venar.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Mostly Folk Playlist, October 10, 2010

*Will be playing in the area in the coming week.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Best album, September 2010

Of the albums that arrived at the stations in September 2010, my favorite was Tribes Hill: We're All Here -- Because We're Not All There. Tribes Hill is an organization of musicians based in the Hudson Valley. The album is a compilation of songs by members of the group. Some of the songs are more in the indie vein, which I don't like as much, but there were six songs on this two-CD set that I did like -- the ones by Hope Machine, Joe Crookston, Steve Kirkman, Chuck E. Costa, Rich Deans, and Marc Black.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Pete Seeger story

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/03/nyregion/03routine.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

A New York Times feature on Pete Seeger including some pearls of wisdom such as "It’s a very important thing to learn to talk to people you disagree with," and, with regard to chopping wood, "It’s in our DNA to like to go 'whack.'"

Times Union article about Andy Spence

The Albany Times Union has a story on Andy Spence, a pillar of the local folk community:

http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/article/Old-Songs-founder-Andy-Spence-keeps-the-music-685362.php

Monday, October 4, 2010

Best albums, August 2010

Of the albums that arrived at WRPI in August 2010, my favorites were:

Strawberry Moon by Neptune's Car -- warm, folky music, appreciating the beauty of nature
Small Worlds by Moira Smiley and Voco -- Eastern European music, some by Béla Bartók

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Mostly Folk Playlist, August 8, 2010

Song | Performer | Album

Little Brown Bunny | Marc Black | Pictures of the Highway

Big Moon | Sarah Lee Guthrie and Family | Go Waggaloo

Go Waggaloo | Sarah Lee Guthrie and Family | Go Waggaloo

The Infidel | Aztec Two Step | Aztec Two Step

Turn This Thing Around | James Justin Burke | Southern Son, So Far

Iris and Rose | Lisa Bigwood | Intrepid

Mountain Man | Lisa Bigwood | Intrepid

Climbing | Lynn Hollyfield | Layers

Late Summertime | Lynn Hollyfield | Layers

August | Marshall Artz | Key

Happy Cheeks | Marshall Artz | Key

River | Runaway Express | Howlin' at the Moon

Stuff That Works | Runaway Express | Howlin' at the Moon

Jora Dance | Oliver Schroer and the Stewed Tomatoes | Freedom Row

Fiddle with a Broken Wing | Oliver Schroer and the Stewed Tomatoes | Freedom Row

Fiddler's Bend | Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin | It All Comes Back to Love

Moonlit Night | Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin | It All Comes Back to Love

Hobo’s Lullaby | Bill Staines | Journey Home

Hobos in the Roundhouse | Bill Isles | Early Risers

The Money Song | Michael Johnathon | Ravenwood

Are You Tired of Me My Darling | Fairview Avenue | Fairview Avenue

Fare Thee Well, Northumberland | The Cottars | Feast

Wayfaring Stranger | Red Horse | Red Horse

Country Life | Dan Berggren | One with the Water

It's A Long Haul | Pete Seeger with the Rivertown Kids and Friends | Tomorrow's Children

Rolling Home | Woods Tea Company | Standing Room Only

Love is Strange / Stay | Jackson Browne and David Lindley | Love is Strange

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Best album, July 2010

The best album of July 2010 was Tomorrow's Children by Pete Seeger with the Rivertown Kids and Friends.

Best albums, June 2010

Of the albums that arrived at the station in June 2010, my favorites were:

It All Comes Back to Love by Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin.
Freedom Row by Oliver Schroer and the Stewed Tomatoes.
I think this was my favorite album this month. It is an all instrumental album (except the last track has some vocals, though not lyrics, more of a chant).
Speechless...for once by Toby Walker.
Another instrumental album.

Honorable mention goes to:

Pictures of the Highway by Marc Black.
Howlin' at the Moon by Runaway Express.
Dis-Ease: A Coming Out by Davy Sturtevant.

Pete Seeger - God's Counting on Me, God's Counting on You

Joel Rafael

On my list of best albums of November 2009 was The Songs of Woody Guthrie by Joel Rafael. This morning Harmando is playing a lot of songs from that album, and I can't tear myself away from the radio.

From Sonny's show last week

Last week, I was listening to Sonny's show, and I kept thinking, "That's I good song. I should play it on my show sometime." My show will be tomorrow, but I don't think it will be good if I just play a repeat of what Sonny played last week. However, here's a list of some of the songs I liked best on her show last week:

Capt. Rick Nestler/ Bonnie Laddie, Hieland Laddie/ Dockside
Lisa Bigwood/ Cats In the Woodpile/ Intrepid
Josh White Jr/ The Dutchman/ Live
Peter Paul & Mary/ The Kid/ PP&M (Lifelines)
Schooner Fare/ Leviathan/ Our Maine Songs
Tom Lehrer/ Folk Song Army/ That Was the Year That Was
Harry Manx/ I'm On Fire/ Live From Folk Alley (5)
Kim & Reggie Harris & Magpie/ We Belong to the Earth/ Spoken In Love

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Only Living Boy in New York

The other weekend (a week and a half ago) Harmando played "The Only Living Boy in New York" by Simon and Garfunkel. It's a happy song. It says, "I've got nothing to do today but smile."

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Mostly Folk Playlist, June 6, 2010

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Best albums, May 2010

May was a slow month. We got fewer CDs than usual, and I don't think any of them qualify to be my favorites.

Best albums, April 2010

Of the albums that arrived at the station in April 2010, my favorites were:

Best albums, March 2010

Of the albums that arrived at the station in March 2010, my favorite was James by Red Molly.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

"What's the Matter with the Well" by Ben Winship

Here's a song by Ben Winship about the BP oil spill:

Love is Strange

I like the song "Love is Strange," which I usually hear done by Mickey and Sylvia. Last night, I heard it done by Jackson Browne, in a medley with "Stay." That version also brought a smile to my face.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Best albums, February 2010

Of the albums that arrived at the station in February 2010, my favorites were:

Grace by Soweto Gospel Choir
American VI: Ain't No Grave by Johnny Cash. Rich and dark instruments with simple vocals that convey depth of emotion.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Mostly Folk Playlist, April 11, 2010

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Best albums, January 2010

Of the albums that arrived at WRPI in January 2010, my favorites were:

In Colour by Cara. A German band performing Irish music in English. They play a number of those really old folk songs that have a lot of people dying of love or killing each other. I don't like those kinds of lyrics. However, I loved this album so much that I bought a copy for myself. What I like is the richness of the instruments.
Farm Songs by Tim Grimm. A collection of songs about farms. There are some really sad ones about the decline of farming, such as "So it Goes," but hope can be found in "80 Acres," "Better Days" and "Pumpkin the Cat," which speak of the life of Tim Grimm and his family as they learn to live life on a farm.
Oasis Acoustic, Volume X, #1 and Oasis Acoustic, Volume X, #2. They send us several of these compilations each month, and sometimes I don't like any of the songs on them, while other times I like many songs. What I liked in #2 was a lot of instrumentals suitable to play at Christmas time. The album arrived in January though, so I'll have to wait 11 months.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Best albums, December 2009

Of the albums that arrived at the station in December, 2009, my favorites were Loosely Celtic by Hank Cramer and Batuque by Samba Squad.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Mostly Folk Playlist, February 14, 2010

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Best albums, November 2009

Of the albums that arrived at WRPI in November 2009, my favorites were:

I Won't Go Home 'Til Morning by Sarah McQuaid
The Songs of Woody Guthrie by Joel Rafael
Live in '65 by Pete Seeger
Go Waggaloo by Sarah Lee Guthrie and Family

Monday, January 18, 2010

Best albums, October 2009

Of the albums that arrived in the station in October, 2009, my favorites were:

Bonfires by Zoe Mulford
Where the Heron Waits by Betty and the Baby Boomers

Runners up were:

Live at the Isle of Wight 1970 by Leonard Cohen
Speak by Kat Eggleston
Big Mystery by Dana and Susan Robinson. On this album, I especially liked the song "Griselda's Waltz" a different perspective on the Cinderella story.
Whisepering Pines by Professor Louie and the Crowmatix
Blues and Branches by Harvey Reid

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Folk and World Features Playlist, January 10, 2010

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Mostly Folk Playlist, January 3, 2010