Utah Phillips lives on

Here's an article from last November about the coming together in Grass Valley, CA of Utah's Place, in memory of Utah Phillips.

Here a four minute plus video:

Eric Lowen has passed

 Dan Navarro (l), Eric Lowen r)

Eric Lowen, one half of the Lowen and Navarro musical partnership, has died. Two articles, here and here, pay tribute.

50 years ago, Bob Dylan descended

Ed Vulliamy provides the background on the anniversary of Bob Dylan's very first musical release.

Peggy Seeger's last tour?

Peggy Seeger will be performing in concert and in a workshop early in the day on April 4 at Mott Community College in Michigan. All the various articles highlighting her concerts are mentioning that this will be her final go-around (although nobody is quoting her).

Carolyn Doctorow plays Mary McCaslin

Caroline Doctorow has a new album out -- "I Carry All I Own - The Songs of Mary McCaslin" -- as a tribute to Mary McCaslin (who live in my hometown).

It's another in Doctorow's series highlighting the musical works of American folk music singer-songwriters.

From the press release:

"   Before Nanci Griffith and a new generation of female singer songwriters emerged in the 1980s, folk singer Mary McCaslin along with fellow Californian Kate Wolf pioneered this genre in the 1970s'. Doctorow's velveteen voice, McCaslin's thematic lyrics, and Pete Kennedy's masterful musicianship and production all combine to form a cinematic soundscape conjuring up America's open plains, the expanse of the old west, and the call of the open road ..."

Here's the CDBaby page for Doctorow.

Mike Regenstreif reviews Doctorow's release.

A little Dylan news

50 Years Ago Today: Bob Dylan Released His Debut Album
Andy Greene
Rolling Stone
March 19, 2012

When Bob Dylan's self-titled debut LP hit shelves on March 19th, 1962, it didn't sound anything like the popular music of the time ...

Head here for the remainder.

Phil Ochs - There But For Fortune

Just saw the "Phil Ochs - There But For Fortune" documentary DVD -- it's a fine effort on a worthwhile and intriguing subject.

It's true that Ochs' music took second place to that of Dylan's but that's an apples and oranges and also a so what? comparison as the works of Ochs does stand on its own. Yes, the ranking bothered Ochs who certainly comes off human, good and bad, in the film. By the way, the Dylan presented is ugly and even nasty in the film but what else is not new.

For background, check out the Phil Ochs Wikipedia site.

The DVD is available for viewing on the PBS site for those wishing to take a look without having to rent it.

Remembering Jack Hardy

Jack Hardy died last March 11.

But thankfully, Jack Hardy's artistry will never perish. Begin checking it out here.