Highlight excerpts from Jeff Emery's KZSC "Backroads" show 88.1 FM on Sunday, December 29

Highlight excerpts from Jeff Emery's KZSC "Backroads" show 88.1 FM on Sunday, December 29:

Remembering Andy M. Stewart

Andy M. Stewart died this day in 2015. Was there a better contemporary singer of celtic songs?

Tommy Sands with a new release

"TOMMY SANDS: FAIR PLAY TO YOU ALL" Matt McGinn

A solid John Craigie feature

"Singer-songwriter John Craigie a real rambling man" Hugh Finzel

More on Anaïs Mitchell's "Hadestown"

"How Hadestown and the underworld came out on top in 2019" Maureen Lee Lenker

Rich Warren's "Midnight Special" Favorites of 2019

Rich Warren's "Midnight Special" Favorites of 2019

"First, the usual explanatory note: I refrain from calling these "The Best of 2019" because the following list is but one listener's biased opinion. I have culled these from the many good recordings that spun in my CD player this year. I'm sure I forgot to include several notable recordings. They say the CD is waning, yet all told, I estimate The Midnight Special received at least 700 new recordings, and I listened to about 300 new recordings, of which about 200 made it into the WFMT library, and about 130 received airplay. I do not include reissues and most compilations among these favorites. As the cut-off date is November 25, some of the newest recordings will not be considered until next year. Sometimes the mediocrity of new CD releases completely overwhelms me, while at other times I marvel at the creativity and brilliance. There are a dozen favorites this year. It boiled down to being exceptionally discriminating or a list of 30. I probably could have halved these or doubled the number yet again. There was ample good music, but only these twelve grabbed me at the moment I assembled the "favorites" program. While I thought about these choices long and hard for several weeks, if not most of the year, had I made the list a day earlier or a day later it might have been slightly different. In fact, I went back and forth with several recordings. If a good friend visited from out-of-town with only an hour or two to spare, and asked me to play my favorites from 2019, I would play the following. Actually, I have purchased some of them to give to friends for the holidays. By way of explanation, I have annotated the CDs on the list, arranged alphabetically. 

Kora Feder: In Sevens (self 55491-14409) Feder is the best young singer-songwriter since the young Anais Mitchell. (Not that I predict Feder will go on to write an award winning Broadway musical.) Feder's songs are diverse from a unique take on her grandfather, to love songs, to one of the best anti-gun songs in years, all skillfully written. She also sings them with passion with her heart in each song. She's the best example of talent from someone in her early twenties. 

Gathering Sparks (Eve Goldberg & Jane Lewis): All That's Real (Borealis 259) The seasoned Canadian duo of Goldberg and Lewis compose great songs individually and together as well as deftly interpreting covers. What stands out about this album beyond its good voices with pleasing harmonies is its positive attitude. In an era of depressing songs there are several uplifting songs about politics and love performed with energy, vitality and sincerity. There's a great deal of depth in the material and performance embodied in this album. While Goldberg and Lewis have been singing together for several years and Gathering Sparks was once a trio, their duo has perfectly jelled with this recording. 

Rhiannon Giddens with Franceso Turrisi: There Is No Other (Nonesuch 591336-2) Everything Giddens touches turns to art. She also never duplicates the same kind of material from one album to the next. Jazz pianist, Turrisi, described as a musical alchemist, adds to the chemistry of this recording. Giddens roves from originals to art songs to pop songs to traditional songs as if each was her native language. Turrisi effortlessly flies with her. Some of her originals, such as "He Will See You Through," co-written with her producer Dirk Powell, could easily pass for traditional. Her rendition of "Trees on the Mountains" by Carisle Floyd is arresting in its starkness, narrative and intensity. Giddens is one of America's great musical treasures. 

 Dave Gunning: Up Against the Sky (Wee House of Music 91046-29109) Gunning is one of Canada's under-acclaimed singer-songwriters. An attraction of his work is that he writes outside of himself covering a wide array of topics and emotions. His politics are discrete but unmistakable. Many of the songs on this album are co-written with Jamie Robinson, an able partner. "Beyond the Day," co-written with Paul McKenna, truly carries one past this life with the eternal question. The production is just right for each song which keeps an overall "folk" flavor to the album. Gunning's singing convinces the listener he truly enjoys his craft.  

Kelly Hunt: Even the Sparrow (Rare Bird 88295-80054) Hunt is the sleeper of this list. Her album of original songs sounds traditional, but with just a hint of contemporary seasoning. It's mostly just Hunt with her banjo, but it sounds like so much more in its simplicity. Her songs tend toward the personal, but like many true folksongs, sound more encompassing. Hunt is a first-rate songwriter with highly original, poetic lyrics coupled with melodies that intrigue the ear. If you're looking for a new and different singer-songwriter without a band, Hunt is your person. 

Joel Mabus: Time & Truth (Fossil 2710) Mabus probably has made the "favorites" list as much as or more than any other artist. Perhaps that's because his catholic musical tastes run the spectrum of acoustic music accompanied by solid picking on guitar and banjo and a voice as comfortable as your favorite old shoes. Mabus alternates albums between vocals and instrumentals, as well as originals and covers (or traditional). Time & Truth consists of original songs, yet after scores of years of writing, they don't sound derivative of earlier work. He addressed politics head-on, but more tongue-in-cheek, or with convincing earnestness rather than reckless rant. Thus, "Yes Truth" goes straight to the heart. His deep reflection on mortality (and morality) "When All Famous People Are Forgot" blends personal and universal. Mabus is one of those under-appreciated folk artists who continue growing better with age. 

Ellis Paul: The Storyteller's Suitcase (Rosella 88295-89766 Paul takes a lot of shelf space in our library. He's never released a bad album. The Storyteller's Suitcase is his masterpiece. It far supersedes any single previously released album and it will be hard for him to surpass it in the future. The range of song topics truly amazes and he's created a perfect mix between originals, co-writes and covers. Although Paul is a very talented songwriter, he also shows his remarkable taste in covering songs by others. His songs are highly original such as trying to explain death to his daughter in "The Innocence and the Afterlife," and if that doesn't tug your heartstrings nothing will. The title song beautifully sums up his career and the travails of being a traveling songwriter. Each song garners different production just right for its content. 

Son of Town Hall (David Berkeley & Ben Parker): The Adventures of Son of Town Hall (self 43563-11803) There's no explaining Son of Town Hall. It's a concept, as much as a performance, of two gentlemen paddling a raft across the Atlantic, with songs growing out of that endeavor. They provide a large fold-out mythical explanation along with the album, but it does provide some useful context. At the moment male harmony duos are the rage. Berkeley and Parker can match harmonies and angelic vocal quality with the best of them. Their unusual, highly poetic material, with intricate phrasing sets them apart. Listen to the album and you'll find yourself sharing the raft with them as they sail across waters of enchanting melodies, and sometimes unusual tales, such as "The Man with Two Wives." 

Amy Speace: Me and the Ghost of CharlemagneA Windbone 00219 Like Ellis Paul, Speace can claim many fine previous recordings, but this one, as with Paul, represents her best work. It takes a songwriting genius to couch a song about the perils and heartache of being a touring musician on the road with "the ghost of Charlemagne." It's used most appropriately in the song. Speace's song about "Kindness" should be mandatory for the world to hear. Her "Ginger Ale and Lorna Dunes" takes a very controversial contemporary topic and transforms it into a wrenchingly personal insight. (I should note that it is not necessarily her experience.) Speace's beautiful, expressive voice has never sounded more beautiful or involved with each song. In addition to strictly original compositions, and a cover, she has some great co-writers with other very talented songwriters including Jon Vezner.

The Trials of Cato: Hide and Hair (self 070000-113104) William Addison, Robin Jones and Tomos Williams originally from North Wales and Yorkshire, coalesced while in Beirut into a talented, highly original trio performing great vocals and instrumentals. They returned to Great Britain to record this album and win a BBC award for it. Thus, there are Welsh songs along with English, as well as a Lebanese inspired tune. Their political songs are spot on and performed with great impact. Although much of their work sounds traditional, it is mostly original or flawlessly interpreted covers. This is great album fusing traditional sound with original material.

Windborne: Recollections / Revolution (Wandering Feet 00261-47946) Including Windborne is a bit of a cheat, since this "new" release is basically a two CD set of a pair of earlier recent releases in new packaging with a new song or two added. With that said, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan, Lauren Breunig, and Will Rowan, are a harmony quartet that will thrill you. Unlike many harmony groups, Windborne spans the globe in material. The first CD is mostly traditional and traditional sounding American and Anglo folksongs, while the second CD contains mostly historical, labor and human rights songs, both traditional, original, and covers. Most of their performance tends to be a cappella, but they do play instruments as well, giving the album a nice variety of sound, texture and topic. 

Come On Up to the House - Women Sing Waits (Dualtone 2003) A dozen female artists came together to salute Tom Waits, he of gravel voice and masculine posture. They grandly succeeded. Among the dozen are such notables as Aimee Mann, Shelby Lynn & Allison Moorer, Patty Griffin, Rosanne Cash, and Iris DeMent. They've selecting some of Waits' best material along with some lesser known songs. Cash steals the show with "Time," but Lynn & Moorer hold their own with "Ol' 55," while the lesser known Wild Reeds perform a wonderful version of Wait's tunefully memorable (it quotes "Waltzing Matilda") "Tom Traubert's Blues." It sounds like an entirely different song in female voice. I should note that the record label, Dualtone, sent us a pre-release promotional copy with no background information on the artists or songs and little further information is available on the company's website." 

Highlight excerpts from Jeff Emery's KZSC "Backroads" show 88.1 FM on Sunday, December 15

Highlight excerpts from Jeff Emery's KZSC "Backroads" show 88.1 FM on Sunday, December 15.

Mike Regenstreif's Top 19 music releases for 2019

Mike Regenstreif's "Top 19 for 2019" contains his selections for best music releases this year.

A music of Tom Waits feature

"THE NOIR SENSIBILITY OF TOM WAITS, IN 10 SONGS
Lowlifes, Desperados, Ex-Cons, and Junkies"
Tanner Tefelski

It opens: "Tom Waits pulls from music and non-music traditions like an interior decorator choosing the right color scheme for a new home. He borrows a little from Lord Buckley and Louis Armstrong, from Jack Kerouac and Charles Bukowski, from movies and advertisements. He mashes it together, manufacturing warped yet recognizable personas: the Dylan-esque folkie, the gin-soaked jazzbo, the atonal Weimar-era lounger, the deranged bible stomper. Waits metamorphoses from record to record, song to song. One ingredient in the brew that persists over his five-decade-and-counting career is noir, permeating the early-to-middle albums and slightly seasoning the later ones..."

An oldie but a goodie

"Trigger: The Life of Willie Nelson’s Guitar
Most guitars don’t have names. This one has a voice and a personality, and bears a striking resemblance to his owner." Michael Hall

The Wilmington, 1898 massacre

"In The Water: Rhiannon Giddens Pays Musical Tribute to the Painful Legacy of Wilmington, N.C."
Maiysha Kai

Mary Chapin Carpenter & Shawn Colvin Charleston show reviewed

"Review: Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin provide introspection at Friday's Music Hall show" Jon Santiago

Songs about Irish cities, towns and geographic locations

Here are some selections about life in various cities, towns and areas of Ireland (yes, Belfast included).

Some highlights from Jeff Emery's November 10 KZSC "Backroads" show:

"When A Soldier Makes It Home," Arlo Guthrie
"Homecoming Time," John McCutcheon  "One Piece At A Time," Joe Jencks
 "Flag Of Hope," David Roth "Infantryman," John Wort Hannam
Semper Fi," John Gorka

A Terence Martin remembrance

Terence Martin died on this day in 2011: here is his obituary.

"Remembering Terence Martin, A Gifted Singer-Songwriter" Michael Kornfeld

Some musical samples:

Remembering Eva Cassidy

Eva Cassidy died on November 2 back in 1996. Her musical accomplishments were many and included performing a better-than-Sting's-original "Fields of Gold." So haunting.

Some background.

More.

Remembering Al Grierson

Al Grierson, he formerly of the school bus abode near Luckenbach, Texas, died on November 2, 2000.

A look at Grierson's life.

More.

"A Review of the Al Grierson's CDs "Things That Never Added Up To Me" & "A Candle For Durruti"

A sample of his best:

A Forbes magazine look at Mare Winningham

"Not Just An Actress, Mare Winningham Is Also A Folk Music Force" Jeryl Brunner

A 30-year 'hobby' of sharing

"Peter Kernast celebrates 30 years of his WTSR radio show" Lois Levine

"WOMEN OF COLOR IN FOLK MUSIC: LEGENDARY & CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS" feature

"WOMEN OF COLOR IN FOLK MUSIC: LEGENDARY & CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS" Aïssa Sica 

From the legends to the established to the newcomers, do read Aïssa Sica's new article.

The latest from Maz O'Connor

"Maz O’Connor: Chosen Daughter review – fine, female-focused folk" Neil Spencer

Her site.

The latest with Richard Thompson

"Richard Thompson at 70: on love, loss and being a Muslim in Trump's US" Robin Denselow

Martin Simpson with another beauty

Martin Simpson with his "Trouble Brought Me Here" song/video.

Rachel Kilgour's "In America" song

Rachel Kilgour's song "In America" from her January 2019 EP release "Game Changer" is a stirring multi-subject protest song.

"One by one we fall in line
To reach for the precious prize
To the promised land singing yes we can
Stomachs bigger than our eyes

It's yelled out loud and it's murmured low
There's a chance for you and me
To have all we dreamed and even more it seems
That's the curse of liberty

Welcome to America: the land of the rich and free
Where hard work gets rewarded
And the money grows on trees
Well it's rags to riches baby
That's our story and we're sticking to it
If you don't make it big
You can't claim the game was rigged
'Cause in America
You manifest your own destiny

So stack the deck and deal a hand
And if your daddy's rich
Every card you hold will be turned to gold
For a white man and his tricks
And you'll stop to think as you comb your hair
And straighten out your tie
How the bottom few could be privileged too
If they'd buckle down and try

Welcome to America the land of the rich and free
Where hard work gets rewarded
And the money grows on trees
Well it's rags to riches baby
That's our story and we're sticking to it
If you don't make it big
You can't claim the game was rigged
'Cause in America
You manifest your own destiny
In America
They say the rest is history

Tunnel vision makes you stronger
Narcissism is the way to get ahead
Don't you ever stop to wonder
About the ones you had to pay to make your bed

Ninety-nine we fall behind
While one fool takes the prize
But we won't stay down forever
See it twitching in our eyes
A revolution is on its way
And there's no way to hide
All the earnings that you've stolen
All your greed and all your pride

Welcome to America
The land of the filthy free
Where hard work gets you no where
And the money is diseased
Well, rags to riches baby
That's a tall tale, but we're sticking to it
'Cause if you make it big
And even if the game was rigged
In America
You manifest your own destiny
In America
They say the rest is history"

Garnet Rogers' "Summer End (1)" song and lyrics

Garnet Rogers covers an element few ever explore with some of the lyrics in his song "Summer End (1): that being the adage that we are never given more than we can handle in this life. While comforting, I'm in Rogers' camp. The evidence is overwhelming.

What a gentle expression throughout, even in disagreement, from Rogers.

"This night is still and quiet
Summer's almost past.
There's a cricket with a socket wrench
In the dry and dusty grass.
Above our heads a breath of wind
Is rattling the leaves.
The last swallows of the season
Have fled their nests beneath the eaves.

And you and I we sit together
In the dark beneath the trees.
I move my chair close to yours
As we sit and drink our tea.
We talk together in the quiet
And try to reckon up the cost.
And bind our wounds and count the scars
From all that we have lost.

And the days they hurry by.
Running on together.
Until you can't recall a time before sorrow touched your heart
And left its mark on you forever.

So maybe somewhere precious rain falls
On a parched and barren earth
Maybe somewhere in a house filled with love
There's a mother giving birth.
A small child's fever breaks.
Parents breathe a prayer and sigh.
And a soul somewhere in deep despair
Lifts his eyes unto the sky.
And I look to the heavens
And I stare into the black
And I laugh at those who say God shapes the load to fit your back.
There's no Golden Throne beyond the Veil.
No angel choirs above.
And Hell is just outliving everyone you've known and loved.
And all of those who we have loved and lost from near and far
They've left us here to carry on
Beneath cold indifferent stars.

And the days they hurry by...

And so for now we muddle on.
I guess that is the way.
And try to look a little further down the road
And not just day to day
I know you'll look out for me
As I look out for you.
And we'll live in hope for better days.
It's the best that we can do.

And the days..."

"10 Essential Folk Albums from 2019 (So Far) And folk-adjacent!"

"10 Essential Folk Albums from 2019 (So Far)

And folk-adjacent!"

Ellen Johnson & Paste Staff

New Martin Simpson release

"MARTIN SIMPSON: ROOTED (ALBUM REVIEW AND VIDEO PREMIERE)" Glenn Kimpton

New Billy Bragg compilation out in September

"BEST OF BILLY BRAGG AT THE BBC 1983 – 2019" FRUK staff

Bonny Light Horseman formed

"Bonny Light Horseman's Anaïs Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson & Josh Kaufman Are Moving Folk Forward Together" Nate Hertweck

The latest from Richard Thompson

"CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD THOMPSON" Danny Neill

New Jersey folk music is alive and well

"Jersey’s Enduring Folk-Music Scene
Local artists are still strumming in varied venues throughout the state, from cafes and churches to libraries and living rooms."
Mike Levine

A 'new' Dick Gaughan release

"DICK GAUGHAN: THE HARVARD TAPES" Neil McFadyen

"As we reported on Folk Radio last week Greentrax Records are about to release on CD of a recently discovered vintage Dick Gaughan performance, recorded in 1982 at The Old Cambridge Baptist Church, near the Harvard University Campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Harvard Tapes features some of Dick’s best-known songs, an instrumental treat, and a handful of bonus tracks from more recent performances..."

Folk-Legacy lives on

"The ‘Forever Business’: Smithsonian Folkways’ Quest to Preserve Music’s Past
The label sets the bar for archiving standards while acquiring niche collections and releasing new music that broadens the definition of “folk”" Jon Blistein

Danny Doyle passes

"Remembering Irish folk singer Danny Doyle with some of his most popular songs" Irish Central

Darlingside news and more

"CELEBRATING NEWPORT & CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL: DARLINGSIDE & KAIA KATER INTERVIEW"  Ken Abrams

Darlingside received much deserved exposure with a song appearing on the season finale of "This Is Us":

"JOEL RAFAEL: OH, THE HUMANITY! A FOLK SINGER AT NEWPORT FOLK" Ken Abrams

"REPORT FROM THE FORT: THE 2019 NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL" Ken Abrams

Harpeth Rising ending

"This is your final chance to see popular folk trio Harpeth Rising" Emily Sabens

Remembering Bill Morrissey

In body, Bill Morrissey departed this earth on this day in 2011 but thankfully left us so many reminders of his grace.

They include:

Dave Carter left us on this day in 2002. Here's hoping he understood how much meaning and joy his songs gave and continue to give to people.

For something a bit different, below are the Carter tribute songs (let us know if we are missing any).

Andrew Calhoun, "I Shall Not Look Away"
Richard Shindell, "So Says The Whippoorwill
Tracy Grammer, "The Verdant Mile"
Emily Kurn, "Dave's Song"
Randy Auxier, "Oklahoma Spirit Guide)
Pat Wictor, "Where Did You Go?"
Mary Gauthier, "Wheel Inside The Wheel"
Johnsmith, "Friend of the Coyote"
Erik Balkey, "God's Poet Now"

Steve Goodman is back among us -- at least his music is

"You remember the late Steve ‘Go Cubs Go’ Goodman — he has a couple new CDs" Rick Kogan

Checking in with Joan Baez

"Folk legend Joan Baez reflects on a life in music and activism" PBS

The Most Transcendent Songs, Part Two (in no particular order)

In no particular order, these are songs that transcend their genre. Each tells a story which is not in and of itself remarkable but they are broader in subject matter, often weaving multiple subjects together and uniquely crafted -- listeners will immediately stop whatever else they are doing and simply listen to these compelling truths.

More entries to come.

Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, "The Traveling Kind"
Rodney Crowell, "It Ain't Over Yet" Call this a companion piece of sorts to the above song.
Ferron, "Cactus"
Andrew Calhoun, "Jack and Jill"
Pat Maloney, "Perfect Oblivious Moon"
Gregory Alan Isakov "The Stable Song"
;
Leonard Cohen, "Hallelujah"
Townes Van Zandt, "Pancho and Lefty"

 Here's Part One of this series.

Insightful look at “The Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story”

"Bob Dylan & the Culture Industry’s Destruction of Dissent" Bob Curtain

Ellis Paul and Woodyfest

"Musical pilgrimage: Folk songwriter Ellis Paul is packing his 'Storyteller’s Suitcase' for his yearly trip to WoodyFest" Brandi McDonnell

The Most Transcendent Songs (in no particular order)

In no particular order, these are songs that transcend their genre. Each tells a story which is not in and of itself remarkable but they are broader in subject matter, often weaving multiple subjects together and uniquely crafted -- listeners will immediately stop whatever else they are doing and simply listen to these compelling truths.

More entries to come.

Garnet Rogers, "Night Drive"

Danny Schmidt, "Stained Glass"

Dar Williams, "After All"

Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer, "When I Go"

Richard Shindell, "Transit"

Ralph McTell, "Jesus Wept"

Bruce Springsteen, "The River"

Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Between Here and Gone"

Eire's favorite folk song

"‘On Raglan Road’ Has Officially Been Voted Ireland’s Favourite Folk Song" Kiara Keane

Not in agreement here.

My choice:

Excerpts from Jeff Emery's KZSC "Backroads" show on June 16, 2019 (Father's Day)

Excerpts from Jeff Emery's KZSC "Backroads" show on June 16, 2019 (Father's Day)

Remembering Stan Rogers

Stan Rogers died at age 33 in an airplane fire at the Cincinnati Airport on June 2, 1983.

Below are just a few of the gems he left us to enjoy:

Reviews of Tom Russell's new CD "October in the Railroad Earth"

Below are some reviews of Tom Russell's new CD "October in the Railroad Earth."

"Album Reviews: Tom Russell - October in the Railroad Earth..." Jeff Burger

"Album Review – Tom Russell’s “October in the Railroad Earth” TRIGGER CORONEOS

"MASTER STORY TELLER TOM RUSSELL MELDS JOHNNY CASH, JACK KEROUAC AND BAKERSFIELD ON ‘OCTOBER IN THE RAILROAD EARTH’" Jim Hynes

"All Aboard for More Tom Russell Adventures" Grant Britt

A Rhiannon Giddens feature

"Rhiannon Giddens and What Folk Music Means
The roots musician is inspired by the evolving legacy of the black string band."
John Jeremiah Sullivan, The New Yorler

A review of Kate Rusby's new CD

"Rusby displays true folk mastery" Colleen Taylor, The Irish Echo

A take on the 12 Best Guy Clark Songs

"The 12 Best Guy Clark Songs" Courtney Campbell, Wide Open Country

Danny Schmidt's new CD "Standard Deviation"

Different looks at Danny Schmidt's latest including a focus on two songs in particular.

"Song Premiere: Danny Schmidt Solves for 'Standard Deviation'" Rachel Cholst

"DANNY SCHMIDT: STANDARD DEVIATION" Mike Davies

"Presenting: Danny Schmidt’s “Last Man Standing” From Upcoming Album “Standard Deviation” Melissa Clarke

"Danny Schmidt
Standard Deviation" Doug Freeman

"Danny Schmidt “Standard Deviation” (Live Once, 2019)" Russell Murphy

Highlights of Jeff Emery's KZSC 88.1 FM Easter Sunday "Backwoods" show

Here are some of the highlights of Jeff Emery's KZSC 88.1 FM Easter Sunday "Backroads" show:


 I like this version much more:

Darlingside's "Hold Your Head Up High"

An intriguing song closed out out the "This Is Us" last episode of the season --- Darlingside's "Hold Your Head Up High"

A salute to the late Jack Hardy

Jack Hardy died on March 11, 2011 -- he and his music certainly deserve remembering.

Review of Tom Russell's "October in the Railroad Earth"

Mike Regenstreif's review of Tom Russell's latest CD "October in the Railroad Earth"

A sample cut:

The late Bill Morrissey, just because

They sat at each end of the couch, watched as the fire burned down, So quiet on this winter's night, not a house light on for miles around. Then he said, "I think I'll fill the stove. it's getting time for bed." She looked up, "I think I'll have some wine. how 'bout you?" She asked and he declined.

"Warren," she said, "maybe just for tonight, Let's fill the stove with birches and watch as the fire burns bright. How long has it been? I know it's quite a while. Pour yourself half a glass. Stay with me a little while."

And Warren, he shook head, as if she'd made some kind of joke. "Birches on a winter night? no, we'll fill the stove with oak. Oak will burn as long and hot as a July afternoon, And birch will burn itself out by the rising of the moon. "And you hate a cold house, same as me. Am I right or not?"

"All right, all right, that's true," she said. "It was just a thought, 'Cause," she said, "Warren, you do look tired. Maybe you should go up to bed. I'll look after the fire tonight." "Oak," he told her. "Oak," she said.

She listened to his footsteps as he climbed up the stairs, And she pulled a sweater on her, set her wineglass on a chair. She walked down cellar to the wood box -- it was as cold as an ice chest -- and climbed back up with four logs, each as white as a wedding dress.

And she filled the stove and poured the wine and then she sat down on the floor. She curled her legs beneath her as the fire sprang to life once more. And it filled the room with a hungry light and it cracked as it drew air, And the shadows danced a jittery waltz like no one else was there.

And she stood up in the heat. She twirled around the room. And the shadows they saw nothing but a young girl on her honeymoon. And she knew the time it would be short; the fire would start to fade. She thought of heat. She thought of time. She called it an even trade.

 
They used to come to town from the naval base Lookin' for a stiff drink and a pretty face Hang around the whorehouses all night long Some were drifters and some were bums Some were just waiting for the war to come Out behind the factory With a bottle and a factory girl.

Well, that December, war broke out Many a woman lost her man Some wrote from overseas; some didn't  And their women didn't understand And the whores left for the harbor towns where the business was still good. The factory girls worked double shifts; put in as much time as they could.

In that small town on the river
Small town on the river

Some men came home aces and some were carried home But each one was a hero No man was lefty alone. Some took jobs, some went to school, some found they'd fathered kids. Most tried and could not forget, Some wound up on the skids.

In that small town on the river
Small town on the river

 Well forty years later the town remains the same. One mill burnt down, another one was built The paychecks now come from a different name. And at the Eagles and the Legion Hall no one seems to age With the same jokes told and the TV on And the paper open to the Sports page.

In that small town on the river
Small town on the river

And I was talking with the bartender last night at the PAC, A Navy man from World War II, Sharp dresser though he don't have top be. And over a double Bourbon He said "I'll tell you man to man, This town died forty years ago. Son, get out while you can.

It's just a small town on the river
Small town on the river

  Y
You can look into her eyes and live forever She's as restless as the sea She's as calm as a summer dawn She's that kind of mystery

 And you can write the song that wins her heart A song will take you half the way But you've known from the start You'll never write the song that makes her stay

 Love comes in a sound of a dream In a whisper of a prayer In a promise of a sigh And love comes from the corner of a smile But it isn't meant for you She will only stay awhile

And she will fall asleep within your arms And you will know the fear as lovers do For in the night she'll pledge her heart But she cannot feel what is not hers

Love comes in a sound of a dream In a whisper of a prayer In a promise of a sigh And love comes from the corner of a smile But it isn't meant for you She will only stay awhile

You can look into her eyes and live forever She's as restless as the sea She's as calm as a summer dawn She's that kind of mystery

Selections from Jeff Emery's "Backroads" playlist, KZSC 88.1 FM, February 24, 2019:

Selections from Jeff Emery's "Backroads" playlist, KZSC 88.1 FM, February 24, 2019:



 From his playlist on Valentine's Day 2019:

The age old conundrum: defining folk music

"How is folk music defined in 2019?
As the industry-only Folk Alliance International Conference prepares to set up in Montreal, it's worth noting that folk is a global art form — not just 'a guy in a coffee house singing his own songs with an acoustic guitar.'"  Ian McGillis

A recent review of a Gregory Alan Isakov concert

"Gregory Alan Isakov @ Newport Music Hall, Columbus (1/24/19)" by Olivia Weinzapfel

A review of Mandolin Orange's latest release

"Mandolin Orange: Tides Of A Teardrop Review" by Ellen Johnson

The latest on Brandi Carlile

"Brandi Carlile Steps Out of the Shadows and Into the Grammys Spotlight" by Chris Willman

"Party of One" video

The (so) many Texas folk music artists

Why is it that the Lone Star State has literally birthed (born in Texas or moved there while very young) so many substantial (define that as you wish) folk-connected musical artists?

Texas is the largest state in the U.S. and contains over 29,000,000 residents. In comparison, California has 40,000,000 residents

Try:

• Vince Bell
• Edie Brickell
• Hayes Carll
• Guy Clark
• Rodney Crowell
• Richard Dobson
• Steve Earle
• Joe Ely
• Kinky Friedman
• Denice Franke
• Jimmie Dale Gilmore
• Nanci Griffith
• Butch Hancock
• Terry Hendrix
• Carolyn Hester
• Tish Hinojosa
• Ray Wylie Hubbard
• Robert Earl Keen
• Kris Kristofferson
• Lyle Lovett
• James McMurtry
• Willie Nelson
• Mickey Newberry
• Phil Ochs
• Willis Alan Ramsey
• Billiy Joe Shaver
• Townes Van Zandt

Paste Magazine's folk artist recommendations

"10 Folk Artists You Need to Know in 2019

Listen up, because these folkies are going to be everywhere this year"

Ellen Johnson

James Keelaghan's best

James Keelaghan is another treasure. Sit back and enjoy.

Remembering Kate Wolf

Kate Wolf departed from this world on December 10, 1986. She was a master as the following videos will detail.

A review of "John McCutcheon – To Everyone in all the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger"

A review of "John McCutcheon – To Everyone in all the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger" by Mike Regenstreif

"Kumbaya" explained

"A History of American Protest Music: Come By Here
How cultural appropriation and erasure turned an African American spiritual into a white campfire sing-along" Tom Maxwell

Bob Franke, so underrated

Anyone who can create "Hard Love," "For Real," "A Still, Small Voice," "Alleluia, The Great Storm" is Over" and "Thanksgiving Eve" is an enormous artist. Thank you Bob for the beauty you have delivered into this world.

24-plus minutes of Bob Franke singing and being interviewed. (recent)

The Franke Truth (from 2010)

Bob Franke videos:

 

Remembering T.R. Ritchie

T.R. Ritchie left this world on January 29, 2014. Here are some of his finest artistic creations: