Folk Music Friday #4

On 03/29/2013 at 01:34 PM by Ranger1

No theme today. Themes take more work than I felt like putting in this week, so today it's just a dozen songs I really like. Playlist is here, for easier listening.

First up is Anna Coogan, whose concert I just went to. This is a not very good recording of my favorite song, Another Day. Unfortunately, it was the only one I could find. She very graciously sang it when I requested it at the concert .

This song is off one of the Transatlantic Sessions recordings. It features Bruce Molsky and Julie Fowlis. Bruce does some wicked Appalachian-style music and Julie Fowlis is a young Scottish singer most recently known for doing the songs in Pixar's Brave. Unfortunately, embedding has been disabled, so you'll have to click here to hear it.

George Papavgeris is a friend from the folk music forum I belong to. He's an incredible songwriter, and this one is one of my favorites. It's about the shamea man feels that comes from not being able to provide for his family.

The Battlefield Band has been a favorite group for years. It's gone through many changes in members over the years and my favorite permutation included Davy Steele, who wrote this song. Davy died about ten years ago from a brain tumor.

Another favorite song from my friend Jed. Off his Miles From Home CD, available from CD Baby.

I love this song, it reminds me of my paternal grandfather. Quebecois by Schooner Fare.

Elizabeth LaPrelle is another amazing Appalachian-style singer. She put out her first CD at the age of 16. This song was recorded when she was 19 or 20. I'm lucky to have had the chance to hang with her and her family at a couple of the "festivals" I go to.

Silly Wizard is another great Scottish band. I found this song on a compilation CD and fell in love with it. Andy M. Stewart is a great singer and writes some great songs as well.

Nathan Rogers is the son of Stan Rogers, one of Canada's best known folk singers. I came across this song while listening to Last fm one day and it's become a favorite.

Sticking with the Rogers Family, here's Nathan's uncle, Garnet Rogers.The first song wasn't the one I wanted, so stick with it until he starts the second one: Underpass. It was a toss-up between this one and Nightdrive as to which I'd post. Decided with a coin toss.

I seem to be on a Canadian kick here. I discovered James Keelaghan on Last fm, too, but I realized I'd heard this song before. My friend Joanne had sung at one of our music gatherings. It resonates with me, as both my uncle and aunt worked for the US Forst Service and did stints fighting big fires out west. Luckily, both came home safe and sound.

I leave you with Richard Thompson, guitar god extraordinaire. I've seen him in concert four times now, and he's been absolutely amazing each and every time.

Have fun listening!

Matt Snee Staff Writer

03/29/2013 at 03:36 PM

aw yeah, Folk Music Friday! This is how I know it's the weekend!

Listening to the first song now. Sounds like someone I know is talking in the background.

Ranger1

03/29/2013 at 08:29 PM

I was bummed about that, but what can ya do?

03/29/2013 at 10:12 PM

hey I listened to them all now. This was a nice list!

03/29/2013 at 10:31 PM

Thanks!

Homelessrook

03/29/2013 at 06:27 PM

Great song today Tami.

03/29/2013 at 08:30 PM

Glad you liked it, Larry. Any favorites?

Super Step Contributing Writer

03/29/2013 at 08:24 PM

I'm too tired to listen to all of that, but I might go to your playlist while counting sheep; either way, I'll be sure to be back here tomorrow with an actual comment. Except to say, that's awesome you got your request played.

03/29/2013 at 08:31 PM

And that's why I include the playlist, lol. You probably won't care for Bruce Molsky or Elizabeth LaPrelle, but you might like the others.

03/31/2013 at 01:33 AM

Absolutely loved Anna Coogan, just what I needed in my sleepy state. Has a very 90s feel to it for me. I know that could be cause she's doing something that influenced what was popular then as opposed to something necessarily started in that time frame, but since I grew up in that decade with a lot of sounds similar to hers, that's what I associate it with.I actually think the recording is really good for her sound, it's just the people in the background that are annoying.

I started your playlist extremely tired, so decided after that one, I'd check out the ones you mentioned and come back tomorrow.

Bruce Molsky - I'm curious why you didn't think I wouldn't like this guy. I love Celtic music and I really like Brave's music. I'm guessing cause his voice has some country twang, but for me it works with the song, and its melody sounds very Celtic to me, regardless of his voice, which I actually really like. I think there's a certain key or melody in which twang irritates or bores me, but he isn't singing in whatever that is. lol

Elizabeth LaPrelle - Now this one I can see why you think I'd say "nay," as I was really liking the banjo, then when her voice kicked in and had those spikes in volume with her twang, I said "oh dammit." lol But very quickly, I got sucked into its atmosphere, and wound up really liking it, too. The stripped down quality is haunting, sort of reminds me of "Jolene," but much slower, and I love the song "Jolene." Granted, I don't know how often I'd go back to this one, but if those two were supposed to be the worst, I can't wait for tomorrow! er, later today. lol

03/31/2013 at 07:06 AM

I was going by what you'd said about a couple of other songs, wasn't sure Appalachian style was your thing. Glad you liked them.

BrokenH

The song "Empty Handed" resonates with me a lot. My income level is why I've always been afraid to start up a family. I don't want my potential children to suffer and barely scrape by as I've had to do. I know we like to say "adversity builds character" but we also want the best for those we love too!

03/29/2013 at 08:40 PM

I talked to George once about his songs and how they made me feel. He replied with the following: "touching individuals' lives and memories is at the heart of my reasons for writing songs in the first place."

smartcelt

03/29/2013 at 11:11 PM

Wow! Garnet Rogers plays the hell out of his guitar. His nephew is no slouch either. They both have tremendous voices. Silly Wizard I am familiar with,really great group. I think Jed and Elizabeth are my two favorites. I like the style of singing she does. Instantly transports you to the hills in another era. That was cool to hear Jed speaking to the audience. All those Canadians! What's that aboot? Just kidding,they are wonderful.

03/30/2013 at 07:10 AM

Wayde, check out Jed's schedule. I know he plays quite a few gigs in OK. Elizabeth is amazing, three CDs out and she's only 25. Her stuff is available on CD Baby, too. Glad you enjoyed Garnet. He plays here in Maine pretty much every year and I've managed to see him two or three times. Check out Nightdrive sometime, too.

GrayHaired

03/29/2013 at 11:25 PM

I usually dont listen to many of them but Black lightning caught my fancy and it sounds pretty good, reminds me of some of the Folk bands from around here that recorded during the 1940s.

03/30/2013 at 07:14 AM

That's the beauty of folk, there's something for everyone. Especially when there are people like Richard Thompson who manage to bridge the gap between folk and rock quite nicely.

mothman

03/30/2013 at 06:15 PM

Must mark this so I can listen later. At mum and dad's place right now.

03/30/2013 at 07:11 PM

Let me know what you think when you have a listen.

03/31/2013 at 05:20 PM

Anna Coogan - I think I like the song but the recording is terrible.

George Papavgeris, Empty Handed - Love it.

Battlefield Band, Last Trip Home - beautiful. Loved the harmonies

Where the Green Grass Grows - Some nice pickin' there

Quebecois - ends rather abruptly. For some reason the second vocalist reminded me a little bit of Lightfoot. Not exactly, just a little bit.

Elizabeth Laprelle - The vocal is kind of mournful but in a good way.

Silly Wizard, The Queen of Argylle - nice. I love this kind of stuff.

I liked both Nathan and Garnet Rogers. Garnet has a lot of passion in both his vocal and his strumming.

The James Keelaghan was fine but somehow I skipped over the last half of it to listen to Richard. LOL

Overall great set Tami.

03/31/2013 at 07:04 PM

Yeah, that was a crummy recording for Anna Coogan, but it was the only one I could find for that song. I didn't realize when I used that video of Schooner Fare that it cut off before the song was over, I was too busy trying to get that posted while it was still Friday. And I forgive you for skipping James Keelaghan for Richard. Especially that song.

04/02/2013 at 05:54 PM

The song by George Papavgeris is very touching. It made me think of all the men out there right now in America feeling that way. Cannot begin to know how it feels,especially for those with children. To the men who want work so desperately,but find none,it must be heartbreaking at the end of a day of searching. I hear stories of women going through the same thing. Lots of single Moms out there trying to care for their kids.

04/03/2013 at 06:51 PM

George has another song off the same CD that I love called Vasiliky and it tells the story of how his grandparents met at a dance on market day. Part of why I love it so much is because my grandparents met at a square dance.

Phantasystar77

04/03/2013 at 06:16 PM

Well, its good to see your so active here. I finally posted my first blog. Hopefully I won't get lazy like on 1Up. Also, im still going at your score on Thor!

Oh, yeah, gotta have someplace to take care of those writing urges. And I'm glad I'm giving you a goal, lol.

04/04/2013 at 11:56 AM

Ok, I did a blog yesterday but I can't view it unless I go under drafts. I don't recall ever saving it as one (there are several blank drafts along with it) and there doesn't seem to be an option to publish it. Am I missing something?

04/04/2013 at 11:31 PM

Yep, you're missing something. First, go to view draft, then edit blog. There's a drop menu box on the right side where "Draft" should be showing. Click it and choose the "Live" option and that will make it public.

PixlBit