efolkMusic Artist of the Week

Paul Russell: You and I

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Mon, 5 Sep 2011 12:54:24 -0400

Here is a lovely waltz from Colorado's Paul Russell.Paul Russell plays what he calls "Rocky Mountain Americana", a music style infused with elements of folk, newgrass, old country, tomfoolery, delta blues and pirates. The lyrics explore themes of love, beauty, mystery, and meaning.

Touchstone

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 20:58:02 -0400

Peter Webster: Without You

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 8 May 2011 18:00:48 -0400

Here's a jaunty, self-penned uptempo contemporary folk song about the pain, but also the freedom of breaking away from a relationship, from Peter Webster. Peter grew up in a small seaside town on the south coast of England; his musical influences include Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Nic Jones and British folk music in general, 70s new wave, various flavours of Americana and latin. After gaining a degree in English literature from a northern university, Peter moved back to Sussex and later emigrated to the snowy wastes of Bedfordshire, where he formed the Peter Webster band.

Moonrakers: Bird on a Wing

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:30:33 -0400

“Consummate players in the genre of Celtic music. The band is connected and enchanting..." -Ear Buzz

Moonrakers are an Oxford UK-based multi-instrumental group playing Celtic traditional music and some original tunes and songs with harp, fiddle, flute, mandola, guitar and whistles plus close harmony singing. Their most recent album is Bird on the Wing.

Visit the Moonrakers artist page to listen and download some of the band’s trademark arrangements>>

Carter Family: Little Log Cabin By the Sea

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 6 Feb 2011 22:17:51 -0500

From the efolkMusic Archives, a classic from the Carter Family. Little Log Cabin By the Sea is from recordings that the trio made during the "Border" radio shows in the late 30s. A.P., Sara, and Maybelle Carter were the first vocal group to become country music stars, with a career that spanned from 1927 to 1956. "Mother Maybelle" continued to tour into the 1970s; this is a seminal band in folk music, download this track, thanks to Copper Creek for this track.

Char Butler and Amber Whitworth: Peace (Whatever Happens)

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 9 Jan 2011 13:44:36 -0500

Char Butler and daughter Amber Whitworth were born in the heart of America where the winds come sweeping down the plains in rustic Oklahoma. They describe their music as a "spiritual odyssey, ethereal voices in sync beckon like celestial mermaids for the listener."

Char received the 2010 Indie Artist Award from Starliners Radio in the Netherlands on May 29, 2010, for "Peace (Whatever Happens)", chosen by the listening audience of the radio station by a voting process. Listen, download the full-length stereo track- thanks, ladies!

Jackie Arredondo: Insane

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 20:55:19 -0500

Jackie Arredondo performs hooky, Nashville-style country / pop with quite a lot of flair. A teacher as well as a singer, Jackie helps develop "rough talent" into successful artists for Sony Music Latin, but has stepped out on to the stage with a couple of nice platters. Smartly produced, sounds like mainstream material, well worth a listen.

Gerry O'Beirne & Rosie Shipley: O'Carolan's Concerto from Yesterday I Saw the Earth Beautiful

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sat, 6 Nov 2010 08:32:45 -0400

The cognoscenti all know Gerry O'Beirne -- originally from Ennis, County Clare, along Ireland’s music-rich west coast -- a renowned singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Gerry met Rosie Shipley in a recording studio in Texas in 2002 and they have been playing music together ever since. They tour the globe and can often be found in Dingle in the West of Ireland, which has become their musical home. Yesterday I Saw The Earth Beautiful is Gerry and Rosie’s long-awaited duo album featuring Gerry’s instrumental compositions and songs interwoven with Rosie’s selection of traditional fiddle music from Ireland, Cape Breton, and Appalachia.

Michelle Lewis: Broken

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:22:13 -0400

This song from Boston's Michelle Lewis is in heavy rotation in the efolkMusic office -- the groove is deep and smart, the intent is righteous. Listen up, it's not your usual singer/songwriter.

Sunflower and the Seeds: Sweet Escape

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Mon, 6 Sep 2010 21:48:25 -0400

Sunflower and the Seeds is a 6-piece folk/rock jam band from north New Jersey that started out as Kyra "Sunflower" Schenck's acoustic act. Here is the first song from their new demo.

Jason Heath & the Greedy Souls: The Vain Hope of Horse

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:15:37 -0400

Pretty nice sutff, here: Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls couple rough-and-ragged folk and country strains with punk idealism and directness on their debut full-length, The Vain Hope of Horse, resulting in a sound that is as instantly familiar as it is convention-defying. Now out on Sidecho Records/Still Small Recordings, this fourteen-track album is sure to strike a chord with those who keep Springsteen and The Clash side-by-side in their record collections. “The idea is to seek a kind of honesty in everything we do,” says Heath, “With everything from the lyrics to the production.”

"The Landlord" from their debut album features the moody guitar work of Nels Cline from Wilco, and is a free member download. The song is about "god, knives, neighbors and the things live between the cushions of your soul." More on their artist page, rightcheer...

Booger Holler String Band: Marmadukes Hornpipe

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Tue, 6 Jul 2010 20:25:38 -0400

Booger Holler String Band is an exciting old-time, Appalachian-style string band, bringing lots of life and energy to their music. Roll up the rugs, move the furniture, and get ready to dance! After over 15 years of performing together, the Boogers have finally captured some of these wonderful traditional tunes in their trademark bouncy style. Hard-driving, hard-core, old-time music!

Andy Park: True Love

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Mon, 31 May 2010 21:03:40 -0400

Andy Park, formerly of Voodo Katz and Crazy Jane, is going solo. Park's new CD "True Love" holds lyrical and instrumental treats, ranging across the board from the drama of the "Silver Bridge" tragedy to the irony of love as a "Theme Park." This collection takes the listener across the map of musical exploration and provocative lyricism. As John Lilly said on first hearing Park's solo work, it is "surprisingly eclectic, relentlessly original. . ."

PK: Power und Beauty - The Author Of Spring - Peppermill

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:29:06 -0400

This tale is about a group of gnomes who go foraging through the wintry forest looking for the author of spring. They find her underneath a pile of quilts. She tells them it's not time and her story isn't finished, winter must continue. The Peppermill is a BC-based netlabel that puts together themed projects that are freely downloadable, and also occasionally drags it's listeners into the alpine for musical adventures.

Christopher Prim - THE FENG SHUI SONG

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Wed, 7 Apr 2010 11:20:40 -0400

‘Although firmly based in the folk tradition, Prim plays the guitar, sings and writes in a style all his own. With lyrics that twist and turn between the serious, the silly, the romantic and the sublime, Prim delivers a one-of-a-kind musical and literary experience. Combining biting social commentary and a devilish sense of humor, Christopher Prim makes for not only an enjoyable evening of entertainment, but a thought provoking one as well.’ –Paul Boerger

George Winston - "Time For Love"

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Fri, 5 Mar 2010 16:18:04 -0500

"Time For Love" appears on George Winston's latest release, Love Will Come: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Volume 2 available now via RCA Victor. George calls his solo style "folk piano", fitting right in with our mission- thanks to him for this free track

Kristina Stykos - "Let's Cherish the Day"

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:14:18 -0500

From the Vermont singer-songwriter, a lovely track off her upcoming release "Raven" (2010 Sweetgrass Music) with Philip Aaberg on keyboards.

Tim Stambaugh - "Little Birdie"

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:44:32 -0500

Tim is a long-time picker (Shady Grove Band, Loggerheads) based in Carrboro, NC, and he slaps it hard on his first CD release. Nice variety, fine players, plus he writes some good ones and is a swell singer. The 'grass is very blue in the Piedmont, no doubt about it- here's a FREE mp3 for your listening pleasure.

" When Tim Stambaugh plays music, he is giving something back. His music embodies real sentiments from the common man’s perspective.”" -New York Times Magazine

Blue Sky Boys - This Train

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:53:49 -0500

In the field of old-time music, one of the most respected duos was that of Bill and Earl Bolick, better known as the Blue Sky Boys. Though their career was rather brief, spanning the years 1936 through 1951, they left an incredible body of material that continues to be a source of inspiration to fans and entertainers today. They didn’t invent the popular brothers duet style that was the rage of the 1930’s, but they perfected their own unique version that offered precise vocal harmonies highlighted by sparse, but effective, mandolin and guitar work. Equally effective was their choice of material that ranged from centuries old ballads to hymns and popular heart songs of the day. Their songs and style can be heard today in many bluegrass bands such as Jim and Jesse and the Osborne Brothers, and country entertainers from the Louvin Brothers to Emmylou Harris can lay claim to their influence.

The Red Clay Ramblers: North Carolina State Toast

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:04:20 -0500

The Ramblers pay tribute to the great state of North Carolina in a new collection of southern songs and Tar Heel tunes, subtly titled Old North State. The boys cover the bases from Murphy to Manteo, with fiddle tunes, rare "old" songs, plus "new" classics and a suite for string band and orchestra, if you can believe it. Download the free sheet music to the NC state Toast, give yourself something to sing and play in your parlour after supper!

John and Rachel Nicholas: People Like Us

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:49:54 -0400

After several years of keeping a low profile, John and Rachel Nicholas have re-emerged with a soulful new release. Recorded in their home studio over the course of 3 years, "Here You Are" is an emotive album of 10 original songs. Their lyric driven original songs are an eclectic brew highlighted by soulful singing and harmonies. As one reviewer has noted, "They sing with one voice!"

Martha Ann Brooks: Lately ( I Been Changin' My Mind )

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:53:26 -0400

"It never ceases to amaze me how uncomfortable some people get when they can't fit you all neat and tidy into a box." Born in Montgomery, AL; raised in Augusta, GA; graduated from UGA; played in cover bands in Atlanta, GA; took sabbatical before moving to NW Georgia; now performing predominately original music.

New Lost City Ramblers / Mike Seeger

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:29:37 -0400

Collectively known as the New Lost City Ramblers, Mike Seeger, John Cohen, and Tom Paley were pioneers in the revival of Southern mountain music during the folk music revival of the late 1950s and early 1960s. They brought the sounds of genuine old-time string band music and early bluegrass to eager city and college audiences who had grown disillusioned with the commercial pap of the folk boom.

Smithsonian Folkways has just released a great 3-CD set of the NLCR's recordings from 1958 through their 50th anniversary. Free download of "Crow Black Chicken", plus two more free tracks available on their artist page. Thanks to the fine folks at Folkways!

John Winn

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:43:27 -0400

John's 5th CD, "The Lonely Minstrel" has just been released. Known as the minstrel-troubadour, John Winn's musical career has spanned six decades, starting with formal voice training in college, stints as a tenor with a municipal opera company in St. Louis, and as a coffeehouse singer in the early days of folk music in New York City. Winn traveled with the Belafonte Singers, performed on stages with Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, and Jose Feliciano, and performed at New Yorks Carnegie Hall with many of the early folk artists. He performed at folk venues such as the Gaslight, Gerdes Folk City, and Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Download: First November Snow

Mike Kotulka

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:36:23 -0400

Originally from Lansdale, Pennsylvania a small hardworking suburb just north of Philadelphia, Mike grew up in a tightly knit middle class family with four brothers and 29 first cousins. It was his two older brothers however, who introduced him to some of his biggest musical influences. The sounds of The Who, Led Zeppelin, and The Grateful Dead were frequently leaking through their walls into his ears. More influences soon followed like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Young and the great Elvis Presley. At around this time (age 10), he took up piano which eventually led down the line for him to buy a guitar of his own. From that point on everyday was guitar and every thing was music.

EASE

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 2 Aug 2009 18:18:11 -0400

Ease is a post-modern Celtic group, originally based in Glasgow. Enjoy a free track, "It Takes Time", a happy song about life and struggles and how these can be overcome.

Josh Bass

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:21:08 -0400

Josh is a 25 year old folk/blues singer-songwriter from New York who has written, sung and played guitar for a number of different projects. This song "Hold Me Up" is from his self-titled first album.

Jann Klose

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:40:59 -0400

"Born in Germany and raised in Africa, Jann Klose brings an element of world music to his adult-contemporary pop-rock. His latest record Reverie offers songs of thoughtful introspection and longing. Rich arrangements feature orchestral strings, jazzy horns and old-world accordion in addition to the standard bass, drums and guitar. Highlights include the melancholy 'Mother Said, Father Said' and Latin-flavored ‘Clouds.'" – Performing Songwriter

Me & Martha

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Mon, 8 Jun 2009 14:40:35 -0400

Me & Martha (a.k.a. Don DePoy & Martha Hills) are a Harrisonburg, VA duo with deep roots in folk music. Martha and Don moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia in 2007 where Don stepped right back in to the local music scene. Don is currently on faculty at James Madison University teaching sociology courses including the Social context of American music. He holds a Ph.D. in American Music and Popular Culture. Martha and Don encourage music making and promote the value of music wherever they go. They travel internationally to perform and teach music workshops that encourage music making with others. They teach private and group lessons as well as conduct music making "instructional slow-jams" for youth and adults to teach musicians how to play the basic "cannon" of mountain music, how to make music with others and how to play in jam sessions. Don also teach bluegrass banjo at Eastern Mennonite University and was one of the judges for the 2008 Virginia Folk Music Association's bluegrass music contest. Their association with the Young Audiences of Virginia (www.yav.org) is bringing mountain music into the public school curriculum all over Virginia. Enjoy their version of "Over the Waterfall"

David Maguire

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:56:02 -0400

David has been playing music for most of his life. He started performing when he was only eight, and later spent years playing the bar scene in New England and Florida. Tiring of that, he took a long break and came back determined to write and play his own songs. For the last seven years, he has split his time between his home in northeastern Vermont and Nashville. He plays occasionally throughout New England, and he can be seen in Nashville at such prestigious venues as the Bluebird Café. He is currently planning regional tours throughout the country in support of the release of his new cd, "Lucky Dog."

Smithsonian Folkways

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:37:07 -0400

Please visit the expanded presence of our newest website sponsor, arguably the most important and influential "record company" in folk music, and a nonprofit to boot. Check here for info on their latest releases, read their blog, support their good work! Enjoy a free download from their latest release, a 5-CD Pete Seeger set.

Valkyrend Variete

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:45:14 -0400

Valkyrend Variete are Finish artists Tatu Metso & Atrain Kataja- they started jamming more often as a duo with notably contrasting styles, acoustically, comparing their projects and continuing to evolve. They use various instruments; modern & ancient such as Finland's national instrument Kantele, Cello or things to pound like Shaman drum.
Song: Karjala

Jan Hauenstein

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:15:55 -0500

Jan is a true Transatlantic artist, collaborating with folks in the US and Europe. Here's what one of his fans had to say: "The voice - the centerpiece to it all. Very distinct, bracing, makes the listener pay attention, like all the good distinct and unique voices. You never push the voice too far, but I think you can go farther with it. It is the strongest asset, the most tuned instrument, your "special effect". -Scott Bradley
MP3: Two Horses

Tony Ellis

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 09:47:54 -0500

Although Tony Ellis’ claim to fame stems from his early 1960s stint as a banjo player for Bill Monroe (he even helped to record several of Bill’s Decca albums), he remains a vibrant and inventive musician. In recent years, his recorded output, for Flying Fish and County, has met with critical acclaim. His latest endeavor is a personal tribute to the songs and style of classic traditional bluegrass. To help him achieve the sound and style of years gone by, Tony hand-picked a stellar group of musicians who share a love and respect for traditional bluegrass: Dudley Connell, Tom Gray, and Lester Woodie (fiddler for the Stanley Brothers in the early 1950s)

ASV- Alice and Scott Vestal

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:40:59 -0500

ASV is a product of the combined talent of Alice and Scott Vestal. The pair alone contribute voice, banjo, synthesizer, bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, production, engineering, mixing, composition, arrangements and an incredible spirit to their first release, Goin’ to the Dance. They are joined on the recording by friends and musicians including Byron House, Chris Brown, Randy Kohrs, Steve Thomas, Casey Driessen, Jeff Autry and Bobby Newman.

Jeremiah McLane

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 15:36:15 -0500

From his home in Sharon, Vermont, Jeremiah McLane has traveled throughout the United States and Europe as a performer and teacher. A full time musician since 1989, Jeremiah holds a Master's degree in Contemporary Improvisation from New England Conservatory. He has composed music for theatre and film, and performed at such prestigious venues as the Royal Festival Hall in London, England; the Picolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina; the St. Chartiers Festival in St. Chartiers, France; and at the Memoires et Racines Festival in Jolliet, Quebec. Enjoy a cut from his album "Freetown"

Pete Morton

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 7 Dec 2008 11:50:27 -0500

From our friends at Harbourtown Records, Pete Morton is "amongst the best the British roots music scene has produced in living memory" according to Froots Magazine- several Digital albums available

Joel Mabus

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:57:39 -0500

Joel Mabus is a maverick in the folk music world. He defies any easy pigeonhole. By turns, he picks a mountain banjo to accompany an ancient ballad, sings a witty song about modern life, plays a sweet Irish melody on guitar, swings a hot jazz number, and then reaches deep for a soulful expression of values in a troubled world. He tops it all with a fiddle tune or old Carter family song -- all skillfully blended into a seamless flow. One fan said "It is music from the heart that hits you right between the eyes."
Enjoy a free track, "Let's Do Christmas Right", a lighthearted look at the holidays

The Red Clay Ramblers

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:10:54 -0500

Tony Award winners, The Red Clay Ramblers continue to branch out, performing with the North Carolina Symphony and the Carolina Ballet in 2008, adding to their already long resume on the concert stage, film and in the theater. MP3: "Oh Death", an unreleased track from the Sam Shpard movie "Silent Tongue"

Touchstone

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:33:09 -0500

Touchstone caused an immediate sensation when it was formed, owing to the massive talent of its four members. All seasoned pros, they included Triona Ni Dhomhnaill (of the Bothy Band), Claudine Langille, Zan McLeod, and Mark Roberts. Pictured is the band in the middle of its brief but brilliant burn, playing as a trio with the incredible Skip Parente on fiddle..
MP3: Mooncoin Set

Arrogance

chris@efolkMusic.org (Chris Frank) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:50:51 -0500

Most of you are aware of producer/player Don Dixon and the seminal North Carolina band, Arrogance, that included Don, Robert Kirkland, Rod Abernethy, Scott Davison and Marty Stout,. They've just reissued their collective works on MP3. This group was at the bleeding edge of the "southern roots" music movement and one of the influences for bands like REM, Hootie and the Smithereens. They were an indie band before there were indie bands with three self-produced, self-released albums as well as two releases on major labels. They opened the doors to all the bands that followed them.

MP3: Our Love Will Last