5th Annual Festival Issue: Who's Playing WhereRamblewood Campground, Darlington, Maryland mywebpages.comcast.net/smaf2003/smaf.html Michael McNevin Magpie Penelope Swales Mad Agnes Kate McDonnell Danny Click Stephanie Corby Irina Rivkin Cadence Carroll Dar Williams Georgie Jessup Rachael Davis Kristina Olsen Ember Swift Eleni Kelakos Sarah Pinsker Tomy Wright Jonathan Byrd Terry Gonda Michelle Swan Terri Allard Full Frontal Folk Spirit Wing Urban Folk Collective John Flynn Kim & Reggie Harris Freebo David LaMotte SONiA Lenore David Jacobs-Strain At Susquehanna Music & Arts Festival, we notice a flurry of old favorites &emdash;Kate McDonnell , John Flynn, Dar Williams, Terry Allard, and Jonathan Byrd. Kate McDonnell's new album, Where the Mangoes Are is one of this year's best. It's overall musicality is stunning. The track, "Mercy" might predate Mary Gautier's magnificent "Mercy Now." I first heard Kate sing her song two years ago. Kate shares Mary's sensibility. "Mercy," however, seems even more direct in placing responsibility for the current sad state of world affairs (eg. "When Bush comes to shove"). Well, anyway, the eloquence of both songs is staggering. Jonathan Byrd's sound seems to rise out of the dust of human travail. He might make give lot of traditionalist second thoughts about singer/songwriters. We last heard him with his band, Dromedary. Methinks: "We owe that boy some ink." In addition, a number of emerging artists are well worth listening to. At last fall's Northeast Folk Alliance Conference, the dramatic style of Aussie Penelope Swales caught our attention. Guitar wunderkind David Jacobs-Strain (above) has been impressing concert-goers for a couple of years now, and has released a new album, An Ocean or a Teardrop. His agile fingerpicking and brilliant slide work combined with a rich singing voice should have some jaws scraping the grass. Appel Farm Arts & Music Festival June 4 Appel Farm, Elmer, New Jersey http://www.appelfarm.org/festival 11:30am - 8pm Rufus Wainwright Aimee Mann Mavis Staples Madeleine Peyroux Phil Roy John Gorka Lori McKenna Bet Williams John Francis Lucy Kaplansky Loudon Wainwright III Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers This year's Appel Farm Arts & Music Festival comes fully loaded. Along with the hotter-than-July Rufus Wainwright, we get his father, the brutally honest, off-the-wall humorist Loudon Wainwright III. Americana pop princess Aimee Mann delivers lush melodies and intriguing lyrics. Madeline Peyroux covers modern standards like Billie Holiday incarnate. Time-tested stalwarts Lucy Kaplansky and John Gorka continue to please audiences wherever they play. Lori McKenna, whose voice has a mesmerizing quality, has been coming on strong this past year, riveting our interest.
Quiet Valley Ranch/Kerrville, TX [phone 830/257-3600] www.kerrvillefolkfestival.com Acoustic Eidolon Adam & Kris Caroline Aiken Albert & Gage Austin Lounge Lizards Jim Bizer Ray Bonneville Bobby Bridger Stephen Bruton Tom Burris Jonathan Byrd & Dromedary Adam Carroll Julie Clark Ronny Cox Scott & Michelle Dalziel Gail Davies John William Davis Grey DeLisle Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer Ruthie Foster Freebo Tret Fure Purly Gates Rachel Garlin Stefan George Vance Gilbert Eliza Gilkyson The Greencards Groovelily Dave Gunning Arlo Guthrie Sara Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion Butch Hancock Sid Hausman Ernie Hawkins Terri Hendrix Sara Hickman David Jacobs-Strain Steve James Joe Jencks Diana Jones Paul Kamm & Eleanore MacDonald Jimmy LaFave The Laws David Llewellyn Los Texmaniacs Lowen & Navarro Mad Agnes Bob Malone The Malvinas Kate McDonnell McKay Brothers Anais Mitchell Modern Man Erik Moll Karen Nash Ozark Orchestra Ellis Paul Jim Photoglo Dave Potts Ann Rabson Willis Alan Ramsey Reckless Kelly Red Dirt Rangers Del Rey Gayle Ross Rowan Brothers Tom Russell Eric Schwartz Darrell Scott Steve Seskin The Sherpas Small Potatoes SONiA Devon Sproule Martin Swinger Robbin Thompson Trout Fishing in America Michael Troy Carla Ulbrich Sloan Wainwright We're About 9 Wheatfield Kenny White Josh White Jr Glenn Yarbrough and the Folk Reunion Peter Yarrow Kerrville is, once again, the center of the singer/songwriter universe. No one wants to miss the party. David Jacobs-Strain has added this prestige festival to his Ocean or a Teardrop tour. Mark Saunders, Margo Hennebach and Adrienne Jones of Mad Agnes (L-R in photo at left) have also appeared to make this festival stop to follow up Susquehannah. Sing Out Magazine said of their most recent release, Magic Hour, ...glorious harmonies, highly original arrangements and memorable songs..." The headline acts are sharing campfires and stages with small coffeehouse acts. Sombody, somewhere is aiming to step out of obscurity and make their mark by the light of flames licking at dry tinder, hoping to burst into nova status as Michelle Shocked did, with her Kerrville Campfire tapes. You'll need to have acquired a large set of cojones to sit across from the likes of Arlo Guthrie or Eliza Gilkyson, sharing your musical wares. Some surely will. Anais Mitchell, winner of Kerrville New Folk award in 2003, is here again. Her crystal-clear voice and intelligent lyrics are a clarion call against the dogs of war. We're About 9, still relatively new, might also be ones who will make that aforementioned jump. We're sure they'll be setting off brain sparks with their surreal lyrics, at-times manic humor and seamless harmonies. Anyone wishing to taste some grit in their porridge will rush to get a front row seat to hear Caroline Aiken and Ray Bonneville. Caroline has a blues-inflected powerhouse voice that can shake the rafters or express emotional softness that will break your heart. Ray has a reedy voice that sometimes sounds like early Dylan. His original blues and lyrical storytelling are augmented by rack-held harp playing that is as smooth and sharp as the buzzing of a bee. Speaking of Dylan, and reedy voices, it doesn't get any better than Jimmy LaFave whose covers of Dylan songs may be the best we've ever heard. Other favorites include Ruthie Foster, Ellis Paul, Vance Gilbert, and Tom Russell.
SussexCounty Fairgrounds in Augusta ,NJ, www.crawfishfest.com Gates open at 10:30am Music: noon till 6:30 pm Saturday: The Funky Meters, Sonny Landreth, Rebirth Brass Band, Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas Red Stick Ramblers, Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners and Swampadelica Sunday: Buckwheat Zydeco, Papa Grows Funk, The Subdudes, Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners, Red Stick Ramblers and Swampadelica. Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest is a two-day Louisiana Cajun/Zydeco party. Of the two, we prefer Zydeco. It's addictive. Anyone who's ever heard the sound of spoons raking across a corrugated chestplate, driving a joyful accordion melody will testify to its seduction. Guitar riffs augment the syncopation of the Zydeco beat that will, at times, venture into pure boogie-woogie and swing. This allows those of us who are not as adept at the eight-count-with-brush-step to let loose with some old (very old) jitterbug moves, no doubt offending the Zydeco purists. Whatever your pleasure, your head will bob, your feet will move and your backside will follow in time to the shuffling beat. In addition to the great dance music, there's the blazing slide guitar and ecstasy-provoking riffs of Louisiana native Sonny Landreth.
Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York www.clearwaterfestival.org Toll Free: 800-67-SLOOP Phone: 845-454-7673 Deni Bonet Bacon Brothers Battlefield Band Black 47 John Flynn Kim and Reggie Harris Jack De Johnette Billy Jonas Sharon Katz & Peace Train Christine Lavin Zoe Lewis Magpie Modern Man Mother Lode Mike Seeger Work o' Weavers Dance Stage: Entrain Kazi Oliver Red Stick Ramblers Jay Ungar & Molly Mason George Wilson Band...more Clearwater Hudson River Revival has been one of our favorite festivals to attend, because of its setting, regardless of who's playing. This year's line-up may not have the same star power of recent years, but we'll be there, both days. There are still good acts to be seen. The Bacon Brothers, to this author, present a different kind of star power. I've not had the opportunity to hear them yet, but having admired Kevin's work as an actor for many years, I'll be interested to experience his musical side. We won't get to Susquehanna to hear John Flynn, so his appearance here is, for us, eagerly anticipated. John's Pennsylvania country-flavored twang and storytelling ability are among the best. As storytellers go, we can't think of anyone more entertaining than Christine Lavin, who adroitly mixes humor with sensitivity. Additionally, if humor is your bag, it doesn't get any better than Modern Man. The trio of David Buskin, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach weave zany plot lines along with their great singing and high level of musicality. Sharon Katz and the Peace Train bring their full-bore intensity to the day's consciousness-raising, Sharon's involvement in the human rights struggle in South Africa fits in perfectly with Pete Seeger's ecological battle with the corporate world. Incidentally, I spoke to Pete briefly last year, thanking him for all he's done. He sternly admonished me with, "You don't owe me anything!" At first I was taken aback by his response… After thinking about it for a bit, I accepted it in the spirit of, "Don't thank me for anything. Get off your butt and do something." That should be the goal for all of us. Don't thank a "hero" for doing the work. Get into the fight for a saner, cleaner earth. My monthly check to Greenpeace is a small step, but I/we need to get out, join and share the load in other ways. In the words of the great Joe Hill, "Don't mourn, organize." Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music & Dance June 24, 25, 26 Altamont Fairgrounds/Altamont, NY www.oldsongs.org [P.O. Box 466/ Voorheesville, NY 12186, phone 518/765-2815 Herdman Hills Mangsen, Guy Davis, Tony Trischka, Arrogant Worms, Bruce Molsky, John Whelan, Två, Lou & Peter Berryman, Khac Chi, Alistair Brown, Walt Michael & Co., Ginny Hawker & Tracy Schwarz, Vanaver Caravan, Brian McNamara, Michael Cooney, Lonesome Sisters, Brittany Haas, Hell on the Nine Mile, Nightingale, Faith Petric, Bob Franke, Danny Spooner, Shelly Ensor, Sara Gray & Kieron Means, The Extended Paton Family, Groovemama, Susan Trumo, Fode Sissoko, more Old Songs Festival is steeped in tradition, but it also ventures into the contemporary realm. When we see names like Michael Cooney and the Paton Family, we're reminded of that jewel in the woods, the much-missed Fox Hollow Festival, which was run by the venerated Beers Family back in the 60's and 70's. Guy Davis brings gritty blues, old and new Traditionalists know the value of a good old song. Considered a "genuine folk super-group," Priscilla Herdman, Anne Hills and Cindy Mangsen know where to find musical treasures and noone interprets them better. Celtic accordionist John Whelan (at left) never fails to raise the energy level and his impish sense of humor livens things up considerably. Highly original songwriter Bob Franke puts on a master songwriting clinic every time he sits down to play his original compositions. A Diversion This year, we're hoping to repeat our early 6am Friday getaway to open up our 4th of July weekend.at the New Bedford Summerfest. Last year we got to our campsite at 9am and were finished setting up at 10am. Since New Bedford is very close to Cape Cod, we had the rest of the day to explore the Cape. This year we hope to repeat that breezy jaunt. However, we plan to skip the busy south shore this time and go straight for Route 6A on the north shore. The scenery, gift shops and galleries make for a pleasant prelude to the festival. We'll spend a bit more time in Provincetown before dinner, exploring the New England version of the New Orleans style, perusing the bistros and boutiques. The liberal gay atmosphere spawns more crossdressers than we could count. There seemed to be competing Cher impersonators, but the camera needed a battery change just as I attempted to photograph the best of the bunch. The charmer below was the best I could capture …digitally.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park/New Bedford, MA 508/997-5231 www.barrel-of-music.com Scott Ainslie Jake Armerding Richard Berman Kevin Burke Hanneke Cassel Band Jud Caswell Judy Cook Crooked Still Catie Curtis Jeff Davis Cliff Eberhardt Jeffrey Foucault Genticorum Paul Geremia Vance Gilbert Raymond Gonzalez Wilson Montuori & Livio Guardi Jeremy Kittel Peter Lang Christine Lavin Gina LeFaux Joel Mabus Lisa Moscatiello Peter Mulvey The Nields Stacy Phillips & Paul Howard John Renbourn & Jacqui McShee John Roberts Jennifer Roland Amelia k Spicer Art Tebbetts Susan Werner John Whelan Brooks Williams We hope to continue our yearly routine on the following day, by getting into New Bedford early. We'll park our gear in empty seats front and center at the Custom House Stage. We're not sure at this point how early blues greats Scott Ainslie and Paul Geremia will perform, but we wouldn't want to miss any part of this summit meeting. Most of the performances under the canopies throughout the streets of the Historic Whaling District are done round-robin style and we're sure that Scott and Paul will be spending some quality time together.
Tudhope Park/Orillia, ON, Canada www.mariposafolk.com [Box 383/ Orillia, ON L3V 6J8/ Canada, phone 705/329-2333, email: info@mariposafolk.com] Gordon Lightfoot, Sarah Harmer, Tom Cochrane, Fred Eaglesmith, Murray McLauchan, Lennie Gallant, Serena Ryder, the Arrogant Worms, Harry Manx, The Paperboys, David Francey, Lynn Miles, Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart, Crooked Still, FRUiT, Corde de Bois, Damien Robitaille, the Rizdales, Michael Johnston, the Kempencelts, Bleeker Ridge, Crooked Wood, Old Man Leudecke, Dala, Aimee Leonard, more Some folks from Mariposa, one of the longest running Canadian festivals contacted us this year, getting our much-overdue attention. The return last year of Gordon Lightfoot was big news and continues to resonate. After a "rare illness" ruptured an artery near his liver, he was in a coma for six weeks. After many months of recuperation, be began his now-legendary comeback. He thrilled the crowd at Mariposa last year by walking onstage and, for the first time since his illness, managed to sing one song. This year he's out on tour and back to doing full sets. It's good to see him "oot and aboot" (pardon my bad Canadian accent). Any festival that features Lynn Miles gets our accolades. She's as brilliant as she is beautiful. Facing down loneliness in her writing, we can't tell if it scares her the way it does most of the rest of us. We wish that festivals in the U.S. (and more venues) would press her to play down here more. ($$$!!) Canadians Sarah Harmer, Harry Manx and Fred Eaglesmith are also welcome personas whenever they venture south. We get frequent e-mails from the management of FRUiT informing us of gigs in Australia. Those are a bit out of our reach, but by summer they'll be on their 2005 North American "BURN" CD Release Tour, even making a stop at Satalla nightclub, on July 21st, right in our neighborhood, as well as here in Canada. [Before we get to our dissertation on Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, we might as well go ahead and thank them for also booking this group!]
www.GreyFoxBluegrass.com Rothvoss Farm/Ancramdale, NY [phone 888/946-8495] Dry Branch Fire Squad, David Grisman Quintet, Del McCoury, Sam Bush Band, Seldom Scene, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Peter Rowan, Tim O'Brien Band, Lonesome River Band, John Cowan Band, Darol Anger's Republic of Strings, Psychograss, Pat Flynn, The Grascals, Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum & the House Band, Mountain Heart, Gibson Brothers, James King, Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass, The Fox Family, King Wilkie, Adrienne Young & Little Sadie, The Wilders, Uncle Earl, Bluegrass Gospel Project, The Biscuit Burners, Slipstream, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Girl Howdy, Creole Cowboys, Magnolia, Fiddlestyx… more Del McCoury and Tim O'Brien seem to make it to Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival just about every year. We'll accept contrary opinions from anyone with better credentials in the bluegrass department, but to these northern ears, it don't get no better'n that! Of course, Dry Branch Fire Squad is still the host and Ron Thomason is its leader. Scott Alarik of The Boston Globe has stated, "The (quartet) is positively adored for its droll, scampy stage shows, fueled by Ron Thomason's cornpone-and-hard-cider wit …his laconic monologues unfurl like long, lazy serpents: When they strike, it's with such suddenness and accuracy that they almost leave you too breathless to laugh. Almost." Thanks, Scott! There's also Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, David Grisman, Seldom Scene and Psychograss. Need we say any more? Git the corn likker and git goin!
Long Hill Farm, Hillsdale, NY. www.FalconRidgeFolk.com 860 364-0366 Acoustic Hot Tuna Kathy Anderson Arrogant Worms Big Bandemonium Blue Sparks From Hell Brave Combo Chris Chandler Jim Christensen & Madeline Ryan The Clayfoot Strutters Crooked Still Peter Davis & Lindy Hop Heaven Ani DiFranco Eddie From Ohio Rushad Eggleston, the Wild Snee Goblin Falcon Ridge House Band Fruit Vance Gilbert Eliza Gilkyson Glengarry Bhoyz Tracy Grammer Lisa Greenleaf Culver Griffin & Country Spice Hoopoe the Clowne Meg Hutchinson The Ivy Vine Players The Kennedys Jimmy LaFave Lil Anne & Hot Cayenne Lowen & Navarro Jay Mankita Ned Massey Patti O'Brien Melita Modern Man Beth Molaro Alastair Moock Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams Nerissa & Katryna Nields Nightingale Notorious Paul & Storm (from DaVinci's Notebook) Railroad Earth Redbird Paul Rosenberg The Sevens Small Tattoo Chris Smither The Storycrafter Ralph Sweet The Walker Family Band We're About 9 LisaBeth Weber with Maggie Marshall Kathryn Wedderburn Annie Wenz Susan Werner Dar Williams Jesse Colin Young It's another embarassment of riches this year at the 17th Annual Falcon Ridge Folk Festival The velvet-voiced Kris Delmhorst (above left) is one-third of the very hot group Redbird. The other two-thirds, not pictured, are crack guitarists/songwriters Peter Mulvey and Jeffrey Focault. Each, on their own, are headliners. Together, they may be the next folk supergroup. At center and right, above, are two members of the aforementioned Australian female-fronted group FRUiT. Guitarist Susie Keynes at left and vocalist and horn player Mel Watson, right, vocalizing sans sax. The group packs a high-energy wallop, featuring tight hamonie and upbeat, driving music. Remember, for a healthy diet, you can't get enough FRUiT! We're thrilled to see that Acoustic Hot Tuna will be in attendance. Who would've thought that forty-five years after seeing them with Jefferson Airplane, we'd still be enjoying the music of Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady? We're also ecstatic to see that Eliza Gilkyson is making the trip to the northeast again this year. Her songwriting encompasses both a personal and global vision and she delivers each with a sultry twang. Her stage patter makes creates an intimacy very few can manage with an entire hillside of people. Topping it off, there's Ani DiFranco, Jimmy LaFave, Chris Smither, and dancing, too! Get your camping/dancing/hill-climbing shoes on and get on up here!
www.podunkbluegrass.net Martin Park/East Hartford, CT [50 Chapman Place phone 860/291-7350, email: rmoss@ci.east-hartford.ct.us] Alecia Nugent & Band Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters Auldridge, Stewart and Ferguson with Emory Lester and Kene Hyat Dale Ann Bradley Mike Burns & North Country Donna Hughes Band Foghorn Stringband Larry Stephenson Band Mark Newton Band Pine Mountain Railroad Mountain Heart Rhonda Vincent & The Rage Too Blue Vassar Clements Doc Watson with Richard Watson and Jack Lawrence Planted firmly in singer/songwriter-ville, we're not familiar with a lot of names at the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival. High-quality talent, though, is always just around the bend when you get out there and start listening. We're sure that lots of these folks can smoke the dickens out of "Cripple Creek." And we positively know that Doc Watson is a sure thing. Given that Vassar Clements is still in the thick of his ongoing fight with lung cancer, we'll bet that his presence on the list of performers is a long shot. But by August, who knows? Maybe we'll get lucky. We could all use a little luck right now.Finally, the eye-catching Rhonda Vincent with her band, the Rage round out our positive impression for this event.
Old Poole Farm Schwenksville, PA www.folkfest.org Arlo Guthrie Air Dance Angel Band (Terry, Candice, Mike, Ryan O'Byrne & David Bromberg & Bob Taylor) Darol Anger Artisan Marcia Ball Crooked Still Fanfare Ciocarlia Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreamsrocks The Glengarry Bhoys David Grisman Quintet Dennis Hangey Emmylou Harris John Jorgenson Pete LaBerge Courtney Malley The Mammals Buddy Miller Orpheus Supertones Stretch Pyott Ann Rabson & the Annimators The Red Stick Ramblers Peggy Seeger Spirit Wing & Friends Tempest Wailin' Jennys Pat Wictor Wolfstone There are a lot of good reasons to be excited by the line-up at the 44th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival. The descendants of Woody Guthrie and his disciples are out in force this festival season and it's a good feeling every time the name Arlo Guthrie appears on a list of performers. We'll never tire of his voice rising like an arched eyebrow as he skewers the follies of the standard bearers of convention, official or otherwise. Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller are listed separately, but we can't help wonder if if they'll be collaborating. Most readers know the angelic voice of the silver-haired "Red Dirt Girl," so there's no need to elaborate. As the leader of Emmylou's band Spyboy, Buddy has chops to spare. He functioned as her accompanist a couple of years ago at the Boston Folk Festival and at times his guitar sounded like an entire band. We're pretty fond of his vocal abilities as well. We're also excited to see two Davids, Bromberg and Grisman in attendance. The musicality quotient takes a quantum leap right there. Marcia Ball will provide the funk, while younger upstart Crooked Still will add their own brand of hot sauce to the bluegrass mix. In the Mammals, the theme of progeny carrying on the torch continues. Pete Seeger's grandson, guitarist/banjoist Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, as part of this quintet, joins fiddler Ruth Ungar, daughter of Jay Ungar in giving traditional tunes a new and exciting interpretation. According to her web site, Ruth plays fiddle, guitar and five ukuleles, including a brand new National resophonic uke. She's actually a member of three bands, playing in The Wayfaring Strangers and The Jay Ungar and Molly Mason Family Band in addition to the Mammals. Pat Wictor, a New York-based songwriter/slide guitarist is garnering praise and a lot of attention. Not only is he playing Philly and a lot of other places, he's agreed to be our Acoustic Live June feature! 2nd Annual Shelter Valley Folk Festival Sept 2, 3, 4 Grafton, Ontario Arne and Tracy Henkle Farm (one hour east of Toronto) www.sheltervalley.com Check the web site for 2005 performer updates 34th Annual Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival Sept. 2, 3, 4 Salem County Fair Grounds US 40, Woodstown, New Jersey (7 miles east of Delaware Memorial Bridge) http://www.brandywinefriends.org/dvbgf (302) 475-3454 E-mail: bfotm@dca.net Featured Performers: Doc Watson Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Seldom Scene Nashville Bluegrass Band Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys Laurie Lewis Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass Cherryholmes The Grascals Michelle Nixon & Drive David Davis & The Warrior River Boys Charivari Uncle Earl Orpheus Supertones Tuesday Mountain Boys Doc Watson gives the 34th Annual Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival all the imprimatur it needs, Familiar acts Seldom Scene, Laurie Lewis, Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen look enticing. We've not listened to the Nashville Bluegrass Band, but if they're from Nashville and have the confidence to use the name, my bet's down for a good time.
Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI www.rhythmandroots.com 888/855-6940 Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Keb' Mo', Little Feat, Marcia Ball, La Bottine Souriante, Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, Donna the Buffalo, Sonny Landreth, Slaid Cleaves, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners, Asylum Street Spankers, Reckless Kelly, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, Creole Cowboys, April Verch, The Wilders, Poullard Watson & Adams, Magnolia, Hot Tamale Brass Band, River City Slim & the Zydeco Hogs Since we've not been able to get to Michael Arnone's fest for a few years now, Rhythm and Roots at Ninigret is our big Cajun/Zydeco treat for the year. Aside from local Cajun and Zydeco dances at Satalla in NYC, this is the one we wait for. We say it every year and still can't fail to mention the Cajun and Seafood cuisine served&emdash; along with the great music and dancing. Look for us periodically at the wooden tables near the food concessions.We'll be among the many wolfing down Jambalaya, corn chowder, pulled pork sandwiches, smoked barbeque ribs, Cajun scallops and just maybe some lobster rolls, for a change of pace! Good thing we get to dance all this off! (hmm …Ri-i-ght…) Donna the Buffalo served as host band last year and is back again, in a supporting role. Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys return after a one-year absence from R&R to resume as host. We had to look twice, to be sure we weren't looking at last year's performer list, but lo and behold, killer guitarist Sonny Landreth is back for a second year in a row. Can we all say it together, now? "…ecstasy-provoking!!" Or just fill in your own superlatives here… We're also thrilled to see La Bottine Souriante back again as well. This is the most amazing, kick-ass combination of Celtic and French music we've ever seen The five core members interchangeably play double bass, piano, accordion, flügelhorn, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, harmonica and feet (that's right, dancing as percussion). In recent years they expanded to nine pieces adding bass trombone, saxophone, trumpet and trombone. They'll line up across the stage and walk forward, instruments blazing and knock you out of your seat. We're happy to see that Keb Mo' is on hand to supply a healthy dose of the blues. For a New Yorker, too much happiness can be fatal. All in all, it looks like one shakin' Labor Day Weekend Party, as the ladies next to Steve Riley will happy to attest!
Umass Boston 617) 287- 6911 www.bostonfolkfestival.org Chris Smither Janis Ian Lori McKenna Guy Davis Suzanne Vega Patty Griffin others… While we've not gotten a full line-up for the Boston Folk Festival, we like what we see so far. Chris Smither and Janis Ian are time-tested troubadors. Suzanne Vega can still induce a trance with her quiet intensity. Patty Griffin has attained a sizable following of which we at Acoustic Live are a part and, as stated earlier, the voice of Lori Mckenna is a recent potent addiction. Guy Davis, we might add, just keeps getting better and better all the time. We'll be eager to hear what else the folks in Boston have in store for us! So let's all get out there and enjoy this festival season!