The Whitsuntide Singers Blog (Est. 2005)

John Stewart interview on writing "Daydream Believer"

2012-02-18T08:32:00.000-08:00

My hero talking about writing his greatest hit...

Eric Lewis, Multi-Instrumentalist

2012-02-08T11:10:00.000-08:00

Here's our friend Eric Lewis talking about his craft. What an incredible talent!

Waylon Jennings (and me)

2011-03-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

This is a re-post about a LONG night hanging out with Waylon Jennings. I'm guessing it was 1969 or '70. I was living at the DeVille Motor Inn by O'Hare Airport in Chicago where I was employed as a life guard. My job at the pool to keep airline stewardesses from drowning, or worse yet...meeting Don Chapman. He was a DJ at WJJD radio, the top country station in the market at the time. Don Chapman was a fun-loving guy, who could drink gin in the morning, right after his #1 listened to show (from 6am to 9am) was over. Sometimes he would bring a Styrofoam barrel shaped cooler out to the pool filled with gin and tonic. He would lay on a lounge chair and occasionally tap "the pig" as it became affectionately known. I liked Don a lot and we became friends and eventually roommates.

He also was half owner of a roadhouse type country music bar called The Rock'in Horse in Stone Park. It was a sprawling basement saloon that feature "name" entertainment on weekends. One Saturday night Waylon Jennings was playing, and we arrived early to meet him and have a few pre-show beverages. After getting acquainted, Don and I sat down at a front row table for a dynamite two set show that went past 1am in the morning. After the music stopped and the drunken crowd stumbled out, we sat down with Waylon to count out the gate and pay the band.

Don keep the bar open and we drank some MORE, then Waylon proceeded to put large amounts of pharmaceuticals on the table for general consumption. I recall we pounded beer with the waitresses and talked smart until the help started stacking chairs on tables and threw us out. The band had long since retired to the tour bus parked in the lot.

Back then Waylon wasn't the star he became a few short years later, but he was a great guy to get drunk with and a hell of a nice fella. Now he's in the Country Music Hall of Fame and I consider myself fortunate enough to have met him (but what a hangover).

Peter Yarrow, me, and 70,000 of our closest friends sing "Blowin' in the Wind"

2011-02-28T13:30:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday I drove a hundred miles to Madison, WI to march, protest, rally, and sing. And I got to sing this song with Peter Yarrow on the steps of the Capital. We sang "Who's Side Are You On" and a few others. One wonderful experience...

RAMBLIN JACK ELLIOT. 912 Greens

2011-02-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

I met "Rambling" Jack back in the early 70's in Chicago in a folk club on Wells Street. After a set he noticed my lovely companion Mary Jo Hurley. He sat down at our table and took us up on the offer of a beer for an autograph on my copy of the "Brigham Young" album. There's more I could say here about that encounter with Jack, but instead let's just let him do his "912 Greens"...

Townes Van Zandt - Tecumseh Valley

2011-02-22T13:55:00.000-08:00

Here's one I did on the "No One Left Alive" CD. When I finished that four song sampler, Bob Hoot decided the album name based upon the subject matter of the material I selected that afternoon in his studio. Here's the songwriter who wrote it. I guess I love stripped down sad songs...Go figure.

Beer, Banjos, Babes, and Blotter Acid...

2011-02-16T16:05:00.000-08:00

They say if you can remember the sixties, you weren't there! After I left the Whitsuntide Singers I fell in with a bunch of no-account hippies. My best friend from grammar school, Wayne had just returned from the army and had brought back a Framus Banjo he had purchased at a PX in Germany. He also brought back some of Timothy Leary's "best". I was about to enter the world of sex, drugs and rock & roll. Well folk-rock anyway...

Now mind you, this nice Irish Catholic boy had never had anything stronger than Blatz beer, when my best friend dropped that little piece of paper into my Orange Crush soda at the Yogi Bear Chicken restaurant. My oh my...Anyway, so for a few years I searched for the meaning of life (which I don't have time to explain right now).

During this time warp I made many wondrous, need I say unforgettable friends (and lovers). But alas, one day I stepped into a steaming pile of something akin to responsibility. And I hate when that happens. It got worse! Next thing I knew there were steady jobs and semi-permanent relationships...Yuck! I had lost my immoral compass.

Guitar playing suffered the most (as if it weren't hurting already). My shallow musical skills digressed to a point where I only had a three song repertoire. Bull Shipping Time in Nebraska, Charlotte The Harlot, and The Good Ship Venus. Then the flashbacks started...KIDDING. No what really happened was I got up one day, looked in the mirror and didn't recognize the old guy looking back at me. Then I realized that...it was all good! My skin fit and somehow I had wiggled through six decades with the help of friends, family, a soul mate and of course a bunch of four-leggers. Someday I'll write my memoirs, I just can't show all the pictures...

Happy Birthday Neil Young

2010-11-12T15:49:00.000-08:00

My favorite song of his...

Eric Andersen plays Thirsty Boots

2010-10-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

This is a private video/performance by one of the best singer/songwriters of the 60's. I imagine this is what it would be like if he stopped by your house, sat down and started playing his Gibson J-45. The welcome mat is always out for you here in fly over country Eric.

STEVE GILLETTE & CINDY MANGSEN COMING TO WAUTOMA!

2010-09-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

Well, this Saturday Central Wisconsin is again blessed with great folk music. The Rising Star Mill hosts Claudia Schmidt and the Blackhawk Folk society features Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, along with the Berrymans. I have loved Steve Gillette's singing/songwriting since his first Vanguard album back in the 60's. I've luckily seen him several times over the past few years. Here he is doing his most covered composition Darcy Farrow

Claudia Russell and the Folk Unlimited Orchestra

2010-08-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

Last evening I drove over to Green Bay to see my good friends Claudia, Bruce, and Mark play a concert at the Botanical Gardens. It was a magical setting for a terrific show. There was a wonderful crowd of about 200-300 people, none of whom had ever seen her before. Claudia's soul hangs on the sleeve of every song she sings. From my vantage point in a gazeebo (that we used as the "green room") I watched a sea of smiling faces, of a totally engaged audience, absorbed in the moment and the music. Towards dusk the mosquitoes came out as the Folk unlimited Orchestra finished their second set. A few friends were going out with the band to a Mexican Restaurant, but with night falling I reluctantly hit the highway for the 2 hour trip home. But I'm sure glad I went!

Off To See Joan Baez!

2010-07-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

I've been blessed (or lucky) to have seen most every great performer from the 60's folk revival live...save one, that would be Joan Baez. When I found out I had a business trip to Bayfield Wisconsin up on Lake Superior I immediately thought to check out the schedule for Big Top Chautauqua. Yup, Joannie on a Thursday night! With the Big Blue Tent almost sold out I quickly purchased my single seat ticket, and am off to see a legend up in God's country. Here she is singing one of my favorite songs of hers'.

Small Potatoes Tomorrow!

2010-07-09T09:20:00.000-07:00

The first time I saw Small Potatoes was a mistake. I had bought tickets for Claudia Schmidt and read the date wrong and showed up a week early. We were with friends and didn't know what to do... ask for a refund or stay. At that point an attractive, smallish woman approached us and convinced us to stay. She said if we didn't like the show we could have or money back! We went into the auditorium and sat down. Small Potatoes took the stage and yes..."that" woman turned out to be Jacque Manning, one half of the group. It was a terrific concert moving the audience as one from laughter to tears. We have seen them every time they come to the area, and tomorrow again at the Blackhawk Folk Festival. Here is their touching performance of 1000 Candles, 1000 Crains

John Stewart - Mother Country - April 2007

2010-07-07T13:10:00.000-07:00

My favorite singer/songwriter doing his powerful "Mother Country". I miss that man...

The Flatland Ramblers ~ Midnight on the Water

2010-06-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

Around 1970 I ran away and joined the circus...Really! A girl singer named Barb and a banjo player, Scotty Ross and I went to work singing intro songs for strippers in the tent show for Royal American Shows. Might have been the low point of my modest music career. No, come to think of it... it was the low point! Well the banjo player Scott Ross is now a member of the Flatland Ramblers, a traditional and celtic music band in Iowa. They play really nice music! You can find their album at cdbaby.com

"Long River" by The Allen Ward Trio

2010-05-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a song by the Allen-Ward Trio (who I have been raving about).

ALLEN-WARD TRIO LIVE (photo)

2010-05-15T07:36:00.000-07:00

It's no secret my favorite folk album of all time is the Allen-Ward Trio. And it's a hoot to turn people on to this masterpiece (and then hear their reactions). Come to think of it, the album is the most commented on "post" on this blog! I hope Craig Allen stops by from time to time to see fans express their appreciation for the Trio's music.

Anyway, I was lucky enough to stumbled onto this York University photo of the Allen-Ward Trio in concert at the Mariposa Folk Festival. The picture was published in the Toronto Telegram back in 8/6/64. Damn would I have loved to had been there to hear and see Craig, Lynn, and Robin along with David Rae on guitar!

Right Place at the Right Time

2010-05-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

My friend Dave Hodge gave me a CD of Bob Gibson & Hamilton Camp a couple weeks back. Its been in my truck CD player ever since. Dave mentioned how he use to listen to those guys on public radio back in the late 60's. They played all of the great folk clubs and coffee houses in Chicago about the same time The Whitsuntide Singers were gigging at It's Here.

When we weren't performing, Old Town was a virtual "candy store" of fantastic venues, including the Earl of Old Town , Someone Else's Troubles, Orphans and my favorite spot The Quiet Knight. On any given evening you could catch Bonnie Koloc, Steve Goodman, John Prine, Tom Dundee, Fred and/or Ed Holstein plus national acts like Tom Rush, Rambling Jack Elliott, and Jo Mapes (to name a few).

Of course back then I had no idea the lasting impression these giants would have on me, and how they would influence my passion for folk music to this very day. I guess for me, I was in the right place at the right time...

Goodbye Boomer of Shimek

2010-05-03T09:27:00.000-07:00

My best friend's best friend went to The Rainbow Bridge 5/1/10. Boomer was almost thirteen. As a hopeless dog lover myself I know what a loss this means to Wayne. There's a big hole in his heart. And while it is easy to say Boomer was a "special dog"...he indeed was.

I use to call him Mister Boom-box because of his deep, loud bark. A friendlier fellow you couldn't find anywhere. If you were petting him, and stopped he'd put his snoot under your hand to remind you that you weren't done yet.

The last time I saw him was a trip to Iowa and Wayne I took him on his morning walk (in the rain) through the countryside where he could be off-leash. Boomer was the recipient of a lot of love during his time here, and he gave a disproportionate amount back...dogs always do. He will be sorely missed because he touched so many. Ann and I have made a donation to the Humane Society of Portage County in his memory. Rest in peace big yellow dog..

The Rockford Supper Club

2010-04-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

Apparently The Whitsuntide Singers played a large supper club in Rockford Illinois on numerous occasions. I had totally forgotten about that, but was reminded by Marssie and Lenny of that fact during our recent reunion. The above photo is proof according to my "group mates". I still have no recollection of those performances. This club was near a stone quarry out there in Western Illinois, but some limited research has not yet identified the name of the place. More Googling to do I guess.

During this time the group was really concentrating on it's "showmanship". The set lists were rarely tinkered with as the music and harmonies were tight. What set us apart now was our ability to engage an audience with banter and humor. Some of the material between songs was adlib, but most was rehearsed since it had proven to get us laughter and/or applause. The recipe of Marssie's naivety, Lenny's exaggerated facial expressions, and my dumb Tommy Smothers persona clicked with adult crowds. Denny was usually deadpan and noticably annoyed by our antics. We were a well oiled musical machine! Could a stint at the Stardust in Vegas be that far away?

Finding Banjo Player Scott Ross!

2010-04-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

Then....

Tom Scott

During my time down in North Carolina last month for The Whitsuntide Singers reunion we sat around the kitchen table after breakfast drinking wine and beer (yeah, I know). For the fun of it we decided to Google a bunch of folks we had played music with back in the 60's in an effort to fill in some blanks missing in our collect memories.

Marssie fired up her Mac Book Pro and I blurted out "Try Scotty Ross!" After I left TWS I teamed up with the group's first female vocalist Barb and Banjo player Scotty Ross. We formed the "Run Away to Join the Circus Trio" (see an earlier blog post titled Royal American Shows). After I had recounted my totally unbelieveable story to Lenny and Marssie about midgets, strippers, and tilt-a-whirls we had to find Scotty, and did! He is living in Iowa still playing banjo in the group: The Flatland Ramblers http://www.flatlandramblers.com/
In my excitement I called the only other banjo player I know in Iowa, Ranger Wayne. He in turn gets a hold of Scotty, and I follow suit. Scotty e-mailed the photo above of he and I playing together (God knows where). I'm certain that those two re-connected Iowanian banjo players will get together in person soon. Hell, maybe I'll join them!

Now...

The Forty Year Folk Group Reunion

2010-03-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

Tom Marssie Lenny

Just back from North Carolina for The Whitsuntide Singers reunion. We had a fantastic time. Lenny picked Marssie and I up at the airport in the biggest limo I've ever seen! We were drinking champagne and hooting and hollering all the way to Lenny's house in the Carolina Pines. In a word beautiful (and warm too). Lenny's wife Jackie was a real trooper to put up with the never ending nonsense, singing, drinking, and incredible story telling that went on until the wee hours of the morning.

We did a little recording too, but not up to our collective expectations. Nevertheless, The Whitsuntide Singers sang again after a 40 year layoff to live semi-normal lives. Lenny is retired now and fooling around in the stock market and playing all golf courses in his neck of the woods. Marssie is the Radio Broadcast Department Chair at Columbia in Chicago. She still does a lot of voice over work for commercials and has done some theater as well.

It was amazing that after all that time we picked up right where we left off, great friends...never to be forgotten.

The Outsiders - Joel Cory & George McKelvey

2010-03-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

Joel Cory's name has appeared in this blog several times over the years. Joel was The Whitsuntide Singers manager/producer for a time. But additionally he was an important figure in the Chicago Folk Music scene of the early sixties. We opened for Joel (as well as Ellen Dee) for nearly two months at It's Here in Rogers Park, near Loyola University.

Later Joel and Dick Toops took us into the studio to record our not-so-hit single: It's My World on the Fontana label. Now through a quirky turn of unlikely events I have in my possession a CD version of Cheer Up Me Lads...Joel's Argo Folk album from 1963! What a great coincidence that I should latch on to this album the day before I head to North Carolina to re-unite with Marssie and Lenny of the Whitsuntide Singers for the first time in over 40 years!

Time to "thank" Eric Andersen...

2010-03-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

Eric Andersen is one of my three favorite singer/songwriters (along with John Stewart and Tom Rush). I've learned a few of his songs and every time I sit down with my guitar I find myself drifting into Close the Door Lightly, Today is The Highway, or Dusty Boxcar Wall. I love his simplistic style and fantastic lyrics. He is probably best known for Violets of Dawn, which is a masterpiece of contemporary folk music.

I've never seen him live, presumably because I reside in "fly-over" country. And in checking his website I see that Eric has been spending a lot of time touring in Europe lately, specifically Norway. I first discovered him over forty years ago when I would buy any album that came out on the Vanguard label. Afterall, that's the record company my favorite folk group: The Allen-Ward Trio recorded on.

In his almost 45-year career, Andersen has issued more than 25 albums to which many artists have contributed, including Joan Baez, Dan Fogelberg, Al Kooper, Joni Mitchell, Leon Russell, Richard Thompson, Rick Danko, and many others. His songs have been recorded by artists all over the world, including the Blues Project, Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, Peter, Paul & Mary, John Denver, Ricky Nelson, Fairport Convention, and the Grateful Dead.

Eric Andersen will be releasing a new album entitled Woodstock under the Stars, which features live performances over the last 7-8 years. Among the tracks are live performances of songs as "I Shall Go Unbounded" and "Rain Falls Down in Amsterdam" (I can't wait to get this one). So "thanks" Eric, for all the great music, and keep it coming!

Poco Is Coming to Town

2010-03-08T12:06:00.000-08:00

POCO, the legendary Country-Rock band of the 1970's will be in Central Wisconsin in May. After folk/roots/Americana music, Country-Rock is my preferred genre. While I never played the stuff (afterall it's electric) I am a good and fairly knowledgeable listener. I especially like the various manisfestations of the California influenced groups including the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Flying Burrito Brothers, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Firefall, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Mason Profitt, Pure Prairie League, Ozark Mountain Dare Devils, and of course the Eagles.

And Poco rates right up there near the top. Today led by Rusty Young, Paul Cotton (both original members) and Jack Sundrud with drummer George Lawrence, they continue to record and tour, logging 100 shows a year. In addition to releasing a new studio CD: "Running Horse" in 2003, a live DVD: "Keeping The Legend Alive" in 2005, "Bareback At Big Sky" in 2006 and an unplugged CD: "The Wildwood Sessions" in 2007. They celebrated their 40th Anniversary in 2008. My vinyl record collection includes most of their albums, so I'm looking forward to seeing them for the first time live 5/15/10!
P

My Favorite Folk Song

2010-02-26T11:22:00.000-08:00

A young Phil Ochs

Since the question has been asked I will answer with the caveat that I reserve the right to make "Changes". Because after much thought it's Phil Ochs' song by that name. I first heard Changes by the folk/rock duo Jim & Jean on their second album on Verve-Folkways by that same title.

Jim Glover (of Jim & Jean) actually taught Phil guitar back in college as room mates at Ohio State! They later lived together in Greenwich Village when Phil moved there to begin his folk music career. Changes has been "covered" by artists including Gordon Lightfoot, Ian & Sylvia, and several others.

I have yet to learn "Changes" and as soon as the recording studio is finished in my "out building" I'll be driving that orange barn cat nuts with my own rendition of that great composition. Here are the brilliant lyrics to "Changes"

o/changes.crd
Changes - Phil Ochs             from "Chords of Fame"
from Maynard Riley         "ar010@detroit.freenet.com"

G         A            D            Em
Sit by my side, come as close as the air,
G          A         Bm         Em           A
Share in a memory of grace, and wander in my words,
D              Em              A        D
Dream about he pictures that I play, of changes.

Verse 2
Green leaves of summer, turn red in the fall,
To brown and to yellow they fade, and then they have to die,
Trapped within the circle time parade, of changes.

Verse 3
Scenes of my young years were warm in my mind,
Visions of shadows that chime, 'til one day I returned, and
found they were the victims of the vines, of changes. 

Verse 4
The world spinning madly, it drifts in the dark,
Swings through a hollow of haze, a race around that stars, a
journey through the universe ablaze, with changes.

Verse 5
Moments of magic will glow in the night, all
fears of the forest are gone, and when the moment breaks, They're
swept away by golden drops of dawn, of changes.

Verse 6
Passions will part, to a strange melody, as
fires will sometimes burn cold, like petals in the wind,
We're puppets to the silver strings of souls, of changes. 

Verse 7
Your tears will be trembling, not here, somewhere else, one
last cup of wine we will pour, and I'll kiss you one more time
And leave you on the rolling river shore, of changes. 

Verse 8
So sit by my side, come as close as the air,
Share in a memory of grace, and wander in my words,
Dream about he pictures that I play, of changes.

Too Cool Not To Write About!

2010-02-12T09:09:00.000-08:00

Former Whitsuntide Singers base player Frank Petricca with the band Pacific Gas & Electric

A couple blog-posts ago I wrote about finding The Whitsuntide Singers base player Frank Petricca on Facebook. Well, I've come to learn that after Frank left the group he went on to play for the 70's rock band Pacific Gas & Electric! I guess he had bigger fish to fry.

PG&E recorded several albums and had a hit single in 1970 "Are You Ready". The band had former members from both Canned Heat (Frank Cook) and The James Gang (Allan Schwartz)! Now even this old folkie knows who they were. According to Wikipedia they made movie history when they appeared in, and provided music to, the Otto Preminger film Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon, starring Liza Minnelli. Their song "Staggolee" was also featured in the Quentin Tarantino film Death Proof. More can be learned about PG&E at: http://www.pacific-gas-electric.com/

The Whitsuntide Singers are planning a reunion of the group in the Spring. I can't wait...

The Briargate Trio

2010-02-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

Back in 1967-68 I spent a semester in the desert at The College of Artesia in New Mexico. I was still a member of The Whitsuntide Singers, but we were not performing regularly at that time. A few months later when my father died I quit school and moved back to Chicago to be closer to Mom. But during that preceeding Fall and Winter, I teamed up with a couple of talented students, and we formed The Briargate Trio.

The Briargate Trio accomplished some pretty tight traditional three part harmony vocal arrangements of Peter, Paul, & Mary, Ian & Sylvia, and some Allen-Ward Trio songs I had learned from Ellen Dee at It's Here in Chicago.

We only did one show professionally, but it was a damn good concert in front of a nice crowd in the college auditorium. I recall my trio-mates were hurt and upset when I abruptly announced I was leaving to rejoin The Whitsuntide Singers. And I suppose it was because we really made some nice folk music together...

This is the only known photo of the Briargate Trio performing live.

Too bad the headstock of my Gibson Hummingbird is in front of the pretty girl's face (as I hogged the mike).

FINDING FRANK PETRICCA!

2010-02-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

Frank Petricca's facebook picture

Yet another lost Whitsuntide Singer has been located thanks to Facebook! Frank Petricca was our base player. Frank was (and I'm assuming still is) a remarkable musician who I think was somewhat stiffled backing up a "folk group". But when Frank joined TWS the group was transitioning into a folk-rock ensemble anyway, with a style somewhat akin to Spanky & Our Gang.

I think Frank and I "overlapped" in the group for about a year or more. As previously posted on this tribute blog I was (and still am) a stubborn traditionalist. And while that's maybe admirable now, back then it was the kiss of death for a musical group...as the genre was changing. I left the group with no ill feelings, and from what I gather The Whitsuntide Singers improved musically by replacing me with a very accomplished guitar player. I also am pretty sure there was less beer consumed at rehersals as well.

Now if we could only re-connect with Denny Preston (besides Lenny) he and I spent the most time together in the group after he was recruited to replace Bill Kolachek. Alas, Denny might still be mad at me for painting his car with house paint back in 1965 (even the windows).

The Poster on My Refrigerator

2010-01-05T08:34:00.000-08:00

This past summer good friends Claudia Russell, Bruce Kaplan and Mark Petrella (The Folk Unlimited Orchestra) played a concert at the famous Freight & Salvage in Berkley with special guest Dan Navarro of Lowen & Navarro. The show was fittingly a benefit for ALS, aka Lou Gehrig's Disease. The illness that has afflicted Eric Lowen.

Now Claudia and Bruce are responsible for turning me onto some really good music (besides their own) that I have to admit I was unaware of before making their acquaintance several years ago.

Lowen & Navarro blew me away much like Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer did when Claudia introduced me to them. L&N's newest CD (2008) is "Learning to Fall" a wonderful 11 song collection whose title cut is available as a free download off their website, but don't cheat yourself buy the CD! I would also encourage any reader of this goofy blog of mine to witness the making of this song on you-tube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeaO6TvGX4w You won't be the same after you've seen it.

Again, I am reminded "So much music...so little time".

Nuff said.

"Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot"

2009-12-30T09:33:00.000-08:00

As I prepare to usher out 2009 I want to acknowledge that through this blog I have reconnected with four old friends I haven't been in contact with in nearly forty years! (Thank you Al Gore for inventing the Internet).

Some months ago I heard from Don Chapman who had Googled himself and turned up here. Don was a roommate at one time during my crazy single days. You can read more about him in the "Waylon Jennings and Me" post.

(Me, Marssie, and Tom)

Early this Fall Marssie Mencotti, songstress from The Whitsuntide Singers (pictured above) surfed onto the website. I traveled to Chicago and had dinner (a few Guinesses) with her and her partner Tom earlier this month. Marssie put me in touch with Lenny Dwelle, another original member of the Folk group. It has been a wonderful experience to re-kindle those friendships.

Most recently I heard from Gail Farrand, a former girl friend with whom I had some terrific times stretching from Illinois, across Wisconsin and into Minnesota.

In each instance it's been really neat reminding each other of songs, events, and experiences that have been long forgotten since the sixties and early 70's.

Happy New Year to old friends renewed!

Winter Solstice 2009

2009-12-21T11:45:00.000-08:00

Nearly every year a loosely knit tribe of seasonal druids known as the Pine & Prairie Druid Conclave gather on the frozen fields of my neighbor Jim's farm. Jim is the high priest and bard of the event which draws curious friends and lineage. After the sun has set, the mystical veil of darkness gives way to constellations of stars and sparks from a huge bonfire which lights the cold horizon. And soon after, it begs both pagans and believers to it's flame.

This year the time honored tradition of celebrating the Winter Solstice will again occur at the ancient ceremonial grounds behind the big red barn. There will undoubtedly be warm, spiced spirits served in the shelter of a small greenhouse hovel that serves as a respite between his abode and the field were the bonfire blazes.

Over the years drums, flutes, and lute like instruments known as "guitars" have been brought out cautiously to add rhythm and sound to the night time magic. A dance known as the druid hop was concieved a few years back, and performed around the fire after fermented concoctions were consumed in large quantities. This evening should be no different, though this solstice falls on a Monday eve. The gatherers and hunters will be eager to prolong the weekend and well ready for comradely.

After the fire dies to embers the Klan will return to home and hearth to eat the flesh of dead animals and count noses to be sure no druid has passed out in the snow, for that would cast a pall on the evening and bring bad luck.

A Great Christmas CD

2009-12-10T07:54:00.000-08:00

As I begin to load the CD player with Christmas music I thought I'd recommend a great album you may not be familiar with. American Noel is by Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer. I discovered it a year or so ago. It is a 2007 release and it has become a special favorite. It contains Coventry Carol, a song I' have loved since I first heard it on the Allen-Ward Trio album 40 years ago!

The graphic on the cover shows a dog gazing up at the Christmas star. This is (I assume) because part of the proceeds of the sale goes towards and supports the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society. You can order it at: www.tracygrammer.com there is still time before Christmas, you won't be sorry.

Chicago Folk Singer - Ellen Dee

2009-12-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

Last year I had written a little about the "It's Here" era of the Whitsuntide Singers. It's Here being the coffee house near Loyola University that the group played at for almost two months as the "house band". We opened for the main acts that included Josh White Jr., but more often Joel Cory and Ellen Dee.

Ellen was a fantastic songstress who played a booming Gibson twelve string guitar. She had a engaging stage presense and I never got tired of listening to her after we'd warmed up the audience. We played It's Here for six weeks straight and I developed a crush on Ellen. After our gig there ended I lost touch with Ellen, but she was one of the great Chicago folk artists whose name can be mention in the same breathe with the likes of Steve Goodman, John Prine, Fred and Ed Holstein, Bonnie Koloc and Tom Dundee.

Ellen had me over to her place one evening and I asked her where she got her songs. She went to her records and pulled out The Allen - Ward Trio album. As I read the liner notes I saw several songs I recognized from her set playlist. Brothers, Sisters, and Friends, Hold On To Me Babe, and Now-a-Days are favorites that come to mind.

I was lucky enough to re-connected with Ellen a couple years ago. She is now the president of her own company in LA. But back in the late sixties she was every bit as successful IMHO on the folk stage at It's Here "America's Greatest Coffee House".

My "Studio" Album

2009-11-11T13:08:00.000-08:00

A few years ago I went down to Madison to a friend's recording studio to see if I could muddle through a few songs and make a CD. Bob Hoot (a very talented guy) was not only the engineer, but also added background vocals, base, and even percussion. The subsequent packaging was far superior to the music, nevertheless here's the cover art. The title "No One Left Alive" was his idea, since the songs on the disc fell somewhere between maudlin and downright depressing (hey, it's folk music)!

Included on the album are Eric Andersen's Close the Door Lightly, Billy Edd Wheeler's Coal Tattoo, Tom Paxton's Hold On To Me Babe, and Townes Van Zandt's Tecumseh Valley.

Well I can now announce that in less than three years the entire run of nearly half a dozen CDs has completely sold out! There is a sequel in the works with 2 songs already "in the can". Thats two recordings completed in less that eleven months. Who dah thunk it?

Marssie's Solo "Summertime"

2009-10-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

For the last month I have been involved in a remodeling project in the cabin loft. It needed considerably more insulation before winter. A neat by product of this effort was that an attic closet needed to be cleaned out, and more photo albums (and 35mm slide trays) were discovered.

The above photo of Whitsuntide Singer Marssie Bernard was an altogether pleasant find. And while The Whitsuntide Singers did some pretty darn good harmonies, occasional solos from Marssie were always highlights of the set-list. I don't really know what she was singing in this picture, but my imagination tells me it was "Summertime".

My beer sponge of a brain also recalls that this was a song that Denny Preston started out on trumpet like in "Porgy & Bess", yes...that would be "folk" trumpet.

A Wonderful Folk Album

2009-10-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

This coming Saturday night in the sleepy Village of Amherst WI. I'll have another chance to see (and hear) one of my all-time favorites - Michael P. Smith. Michael has been to Central Wisconsin 3 times in the last couple of years, and he never fails to please. Michael is best known for his signature song, The Dutchman. I've blogged about him before, but this time I am reminded of the great CD: Fourtold, which he recorded with Steve Gillette (Of Darcy Farrow fame) Cindy Mangsen, and Ann Hills.

Fourtold seamlessly blends these 4 incredible talents, yet allows each group member to showcase their unique voices and musicianship. I've seen Steve & Cindy on more than one occasion, and always try to catch them anytime they are in the area. You can order Fourtold at http://www.compassrosemusic.com/ It's a dandy!

A Different Kind of Fantasy Camp

2009-10-05T12:52:00.000-07:00

Many posts to this bloggy-thing have fondly referenced Kingston Trio Fantasy Camp. But twenty-five years ago I was in Scottsdale AZ for a different fantasy camp. It was the first ever Chicago Cubs Fantasy Camp. I am reminded of this event because the baseball playoffs start today, and for me the post season is always a lot of fun to watch.

Two of my favorite things in life are folk music and baseball. And I'm the first to acknowledge that I wasn't terribly skilled in either endeavor. Fantasy camps filled the void to a degree however. It was 1983 and Time Magazine had an article about how former Cubs catcher Randy Hundley was putting together a camp in April of that year. Without hesitation I plopped down my $2,500 and hopped a plane to Arizona.

Most of the 1969 Chicago Cub players were there as coaches and as it turned out drinking buddies. We were put up at a fine resort and practiced every morning at the same stadium the Cubs had just finished spring training at. We rode the team bus back to the resort for free afternoons of swimming, beer drinking, and baseball talk. In the evening it wasn't uncommon to have the light on your phone blinking, with a message from Ferguson Jenkins or Joe Pepitone asking you to join them for dinner!

At the end of the week we (campers) played an entire game against the '69 Cubs in front of a crowd of about 5,000 cheering fans. Way cool! I gave up 3 runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning in a 11-0 route. I blame my catcher, TV star Phil Donahue for calling a bad game. I did however get a single up the middle off Milt Pappas.

I guess it's all about "living your dreams".

Late Bloomer - Jan Hauenstein

2009-09-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

My good friend German folk singer/songwriter Jan Hauenstein has released his first commercial CD titled "Late Bloomer". Jan has however been writing and recording music for many/several years. Hence (perhaps) the name of the CD. I am fortunate enough to have nearly a dozen CDs of his (which could be twice as many since he puts twenty-some songs on an album)!

Late Bloomer is the culmination and crowning touch that comes from countless hours of Jan honing his skills. It also brings together a unique cadre from both sides of the Atlantic. Its a collaboration of gifted writers, accomplished musicians, and talented singers all done with meticulous production. I've had the pleasure of meeting Terry Ransom at Kingston Trio Fantasy Camp some years back. Fred and I plinked together at the Great Midwest Potato Salad Extravaganza, and I know Rex DeLong and Jim Clare via the Internet. Tamara Friedrich is the angelic voice that has graced many of Jan's recordings.

I could write about every one of the fifteen great tracks, but since it's my blog I'll focus on those that specifically suit my tastes to a tee. For starters the "covers" of John Stewart songs are exquisite. Top Soil Blues hits home every time I listen to it. Steal Your Heart had Ann bobbing and weaving when I played it for her, a nifty rendition indeed. Eddie Loves Bernadette is a dandy, clever and catchy tune too. My favorite is Manassas In The Rain, but they are all good! My congratulations to Jan and his colleagues on this terrific CD! You can get it at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/JanHauenstein

Mary Travers RIP

2009-09-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in a hotel room when I found out about Mary Travers. I thought to write (on the blog) about the sorrow I felt upon hearing the sad news. Instead I took my guitar out on the balcony and played several Peter, Paul & Mary songs I hadn't sung in years. Five-hundred Miles, Where Have All The Flowers Gone and For Bobbie.

Still I could not go without acknowledging her passing here. The Whitsuntide Singers had performed a few of their arrangements back when, as PP&M were simply the gold standard. I only saw them live once, but have darn near every album they ever recorded. A friend of mine wrote: "Frolic in the Autumn mist Mary"...Nuff said.

Ah Woe Ah Me

2009-09-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

First the great news that I have been in contact via e-mail with Marssie and Lenny in the past couple/three days for the first time in over forty years! What great fun to re-connect.

The above is a newspaper clipping from a show we did in Artesia, New Mexico back in 1967. We were performing a song we "adapted" from the Kingston Trio, the humorous Calypso tune "Ah Woe Ah Me". I had gone to the College of Artesia for one semester until my dad died, and returned there only once briefly to do the concert. The school's enrollment was primarily draft-dodgers like myself. Once the Viet Nam war ended it was quickly over run with tumble weed, and last I heard the campus is now used to train boarder patrol agents.

The Whitsuntide Singers actually flew commercially to this gig, and while I still have a Western Union Money-Gram, I don't know exactly what we were paid, or how much our then agent/manager Tom Prasch (God rest his soul) negotiated for us. But hey, back then the business of folk music was all about supply and demand. As I recall it was a large and appreciative audience of several hundred people as tickets were only two dollars in advance and three bucks at the door!

The Lowland Three

2009-09-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

Before there were The Whitsuntide Singers there was The Lowland Three. Both groups had one (un)commonality, that being songstress Marssie Bernard. And I'm presently inspired to share what I know about this talented folk trio. It was during the height of the "Great Folk Scare" in 1964 I first heard them in Des Plaines Il. It was in a nifty old club converted from a church, called The Loft. I was a senior in high school at the time and as I mentioned in this blog many posts ago, I was inspired by this group to learn to play guitar.

The Lowland Three were Marssie Bernard, Lou Witsiepe, and Roy Rankin. The photo above of the group is a publicity shot for a show they did at the Gibson County Fair in Southern Indiana in August of 1964.

Towards the end of that year they won the Grand Prize in the WLS Radio (Chicago) talent contest, and soon were whisked off to Hollywood to perform on the Danny Thomas Television Special in February of 1965! That Spring they released their first recording on the Phillips Label, a 45 RPM titled Three Brave Lads/Pick A Bale O Cotton. Billboard Magazine (April 24, 1965) gave the record a "4 Star " rating that week along with Donavon's "Try To Catch The Wind". Good company indeed!

The Phillips label at the same time was releasing songs by Dusty Springfield, The Serendipity Singers, The Four Seasons, Joe Cocker and of course the Lowland Three. A couple years later The Whitsuntide Singers met Lowlander Lou, who become our manager and introduced us to Marssie. And that turn of events produced one of the times of my life, and the basis for my blog.

Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream

2009-08-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

No, not the classic Ed McCurdy song, but a real dream about a "reunion" show with The Whitsuntide Singers. I don't know about anybody else, but I tend to almost always have vivid dreams after eating any tomato based meal. From lasagna to pizza, boom!...a doozy of a dream.

The concert was to be held in the conference room at my office, don't ask me why. It's a dream! Marci Bernard was the first to show up. She looked remarkably the same as in the late sixties but with some gray hair. I was there practicing on my Martin D-18 (the one with the repaired hole in the side due to a banjo/guitar collision). We began rehearsing "Rider" while we waited for the other two group members to show up. When Lenny Dwelle "appeared" he handed me his business card, don't ask me why. It's a dream!

Next the audience began to file in. Turns out it's made of my board of directors! Still no Denny Preston (he must still live in Elmhurst). So on with the show, and with a wink and a smile Marci starts us out..."I know you rider gonna miss me when I'm gone" and then I woke up....

Bill & Kate Isles

2009-08-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

We recently were introduced to a wonderful couple of singer/songwriters at the Blackhawk Folk Festival in Mount Morris Wisconsin. A foursome of us went without knowing any of the performers on the schedule. We were treated to a great show by these two. Kate sings harmony to Bill who solos on six string guitar, and they put out some very fine music.

After the show I shopped the CD table and found their most recent album titled "Matching Baggage". There are at least a half dozen songs on the CD that they had played, so I knew I would like it based upon that representation. The studio versions are extremely well produced and as you might expect have additional instrumental accompaniment. Bill & Kate are based in Duluth MN. So chance to see them around the Midwest are probably pretty good. You'll be glad you did.

Kingston Trio Fantasy Camp

2009-08-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

This week folk music fans, and those particularly fond of the Kingston Trio will travel to Scottsdale for the Bloodliners reunion and KT3 fantasy camp. Much has changed since I first went back in 2003. Most notably John Stewart and Nick Reynolds have passed on, and sole remaining original member Bob Shane has stepped in (thank Eddy) and taken the enterprise over.

My understanding is that the program has morphed a bit and will showcase the current iteration of the group. And while it has not featured a founding member for several years now, I'm sure it will be lots of fun keeping the music alive. But I can't help but feel a little sad by the turn of events that have transformed what use to be my annual pilgrimage.

Like myself, a few folks that I became friends with through Bloodlines have chosen not to go this year for a variety of reasons. Mine is summed up in the lyrics of a John Stewart song:

You Can't Look Back:
John Stewart
Copyright:
© John Stewart, All Rights Reserved

"But you can't look back

When you're moving on

But you can't look back

Buddy you got to go and sing your song"

John Stewart was a very reflective songwriter, and painted many a picture of bygone eras, the past and better times. I can't help but think he was on to something...

Nick Reynolds Birthday

2009-07-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

I was reminded that this is Nick Reynolds birthday. Loosing Nick last fall was a huge jolt to friends and fans alike. I humbly submit I fall somewhere in between. As posted at the time of his passing, I got to share the stage with he and John Stewart back in 2003 at Kingston Trio Fantasy Camp.

It was a frozen moment to sing with two-thirds of the legendary group that revived folk music and made the genre mainstream. It might be time to revisit "those thrilling days of yesteryear" on DVD. I first met Nick back in the early 1990's up in Bayfield at Big Top Chautauqua. He was roaming around Allan Shaw's CD tent using a cane, the result of hip surgery as I recall. That conversation was brief, but very cordial as Nick was always a disarming and approachable gentleman.

Years later in Scottsdale his wry sense of humor on display, Nick engaged the "campers" every chance he got. You couldn't help but love the man. And many, many people still do...

Happy Birthday Nick!

Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin's WI Show

2009-07-10T10:43:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted much of late. There's just too darn much great live music around these parts recently. Over the 4th of July Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin played at River Front Rendezvous in Stevens Point, WI. The weather was perfect. A breeze blew off the Wisconsin River through the open doors of the 125 year old grist mill, cooling the crowd of a hundred plus appreciative listeners.

My agency helped sponsor the show, so I didn't feel bad about grabbing the stage-front spool table with friends. Wil and Robert played two hours with only one short intermission. Two of my favorite songs were "bookends" of sorts for the concert, with Keeper of the Farm early on, and Bottomlands at the end of the performance.

After the show Wil and Robert joined us for a few cold Point Specials and we all were entertained by a Bill Monroe style bluegrass band. A good time was had by all. If you've never heard Wil and Robert you are just not treating your ears properly. You can find them at http://www.wilmaring.com/

Guy Clark's Boats to Build

2009-06-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

Heading into the weekend, it's time to suggest an album for your listening enjoyment. Guy Clark first became recognized for the popular songs (in folk and country circles) he penned for Jerry Jeff Walker. Desperadoes Waiting For a Train and LA Freeway are two of my favorites from this West Texan. His stuff has been recorded by everybody from Asleep at The Wheel to the more recent releases by Jimmy Buffett, of Boats To Build and Cinco de Mayo in Memphis.

Clark was influenced to a great degree by Townes Van Zandt, and along with Steve Earl the three singer/songwriters recorded a wonderful album back in 1995 titled Together At The Bluebird Cafe. Clark's latest album, released in 2006, is Workbench Songs. The album was nominated for "Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album" at the Grammy Awards.

Clark announced a new album entitled "Somedays the Song Writes You" is due on September 22, 2009, it will feature originals along with a Van Zandt song entitled "If I Needed You". So enjoy Boats To Build. BTW as if Guy Clark doesn't have enough talent, he also builds his own guitars!

Townes Van Zandt's "Live at the Old Quarter"

2009-06-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend's album recommendation is the critically acclaimed "Live at the Old Quarter" which was recorded back in 1973 by Townes Van Zandt. It contains his classic "Poncho & Lefty" which became a #1 hit on the country charts in 1983 by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. My friend Joe used to mimic TVZ's opening announcements... "Pool tables up stairs..." Joe had the whole 44 seconds memorized to perfection.

Early on in his career TVZ played the clubs in Houston along with the likes Lighting Hopkins, Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Doc Watson. He began to hone is songwriting skills about that time as well. Other classics on the album include For the Sake of the Song, Waiting Around to Die, and my favorite song of his to play, Tecumseh Valley.

Townes had a huge cult following, but he never caught on with mainstream country fans until after his death in 1997. Now-a-days everybody from Norah Jones to Bob Dylan have covered his music. The Old Quarter was a small hole in the wall establishment only 18' X 38'. It could only hold sixty patrons except for that night...when over a hundred folks squeezed into that hot and steamy Texas bar. This album is stripped down and ready to ride. If there were a genre called "authentic" Live at the Old Quarter would be the standard by which all others would be judged. This one's a dandy....

Stan Rogers - Fogerty's Cove

2009-06-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend's recommended folk album is Stan Rogers' Fogarty's Cove. I first became familiar with Stan's music through a Internet friend from Ottawa, who acquainted me with several Canadian folk singers (up until that point I thought Gordon Lightfoot was the only one).

This album and Northwest Passage are both loaded with wonderful lyrics and musicianship inspired by life in the fishing villages of the Maritime Provinces. Stan's touching material is almost Celtic sounding at times, and I can wrap my ears around that influence anytime.

Like too many other terrific artists, Stan Rogers died prematurely in a fire aboard a jet liner on his way home from the Kerrville Folk Festival twenty-six years ago this month. He was 33.

I have a date tonight with a friend's little grey and white cat that I'm looking after. And after she has some Friskies Seafood Morsels, I'll crack open a beer and we will listen to Stan sing us a sea shanty or two.

Old Photograph of The Whitsuntide Singers Turns Up

2009-06-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

Here's another 40 year old black & white candid of the group from the Curt Cole Burkhardt photo shoot in Chicago back in 1969. It was taken in Grant Park near downtown. I think Curt captured a "mood" with this shot, which is framed by stone pillars in the park. Of course Grant Park was the site of the Viet Nam war protests that occurred the previous August during the Democratic Convention. The Buffalo Springfield 1967 hit song "For What It's Worth" was already a staple in The Whitsuntide Singers' repertoire. I started the song with the haunting guitar harmonics (and got it right most of the time).

We were trudging hallowed ground so to speak in this picture, and while no one was killed during that violent event (like at Kent State University) this was a significant place in the anti-war movement of the era. The world was changing and so was the music of our group.

Ranger Wayne's '09 Ireland Tour

2009-05-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

My best friend Wayne (the other 1/2 of The Midwest Outlaw Kazoo Band) just returned from a gig at the Castledaly in Athlone, Westmeath. Wayne played a borrowed banjo as his Framus is permanently out-of-tune. In the picture above Wayne (center) plays for a sitting room only crowd of Guinness soaked patrons.

Here's a "Folk Alley" Photo.

2009-05-13T07:36:00.000-07:00

It was almost 1970, and The Whitsuntide Singers were dabbling with electric pickups on their guitars, and shedding their striped shirts for a more Bohemian Greenwich Village look. The face and sound of folk music was undeniably changing. So our producer/quasi agent folk singer Joel Cory wanted us to get new publicity shots, as the "record" would soon be released.

We were sent to the well known Chicago photographer Curt Cole Burkhardt. Curt did most, if not all of renowned singer Bonnie Koloc's album covers. Bonnie and Curt were a very close couple as I recall. He was a great guy, welcoming the group into his massive warehouse studio. Curt didn't want to do the customary "posed" shots, so he took us out into the streets (and alleys) of downtown Chicago to do candids. We must have walked miles that afternoon.

The above photo is one of my favorites of that shoot. It was done in the alley, I believe behind the Chicago Public Library. Curt experimented with grainy sepia tones in the developing process (which we saw the following day back at his studio). I'll post some more of that photo session down the pike here.

Adios Amigo...Travis Edmunson

2009-05-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

Word has just arrived that Travis (of Bud & Travis fame) has passed away. He was a pioneer in the genre of folk music and a fine gentleman. I had the opportunity to meet him back in 2003 at Kingston Trio Fantasy Camp. John Stewart considered Travis a hero and a mentor. Travis, then already in his 70's could still get up and sing delighting the assemblage on more than one occasion. Much has been written about his storied career. Friend Henriksen is 6 or 8 chapters into writing a biography of sorts, having interviewed Travis both in person and over the phone for "Wednesday night conversations".

Bud and Travis introduced the Latin sound to folk music. They even had an album done totally in Spanish. They recorded La Bamba before Richie Valens made it a rock and roll hit single. In true Mexican music tradition they played gut (nylon) string guitars, often with resounding flamenco licks. I have a couple CDs of their's I'll listen to soon. Adios Amigo, thank you for the music...

The Last Campaign - John Stewart

2009-05-08T12:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the best place to listen, I mean really listen to music is in a pickup truck. In the side door pocket of mine, tucked out of sight was The Last Campaign by John Stewart. I hadn't listened to it since I had found the rare out-of-print vinyl album on e-bay not long ago. The CD re-issue is however totally reworked material, and it struck me how timeless these accounts of Bobby Kennedy's run for the presidency truly are.

Coincidentally friend Henriksen and I had a recently had a conversation that touched on "assassination". Not a topic one can discuss lightly. But if you are going to talk about it, well then do it with a true historian. Gene is all of that.

On the album sleeve John Stewart says:

"I first met Robert Kennedy when he was Attorney General and I was a member of the Kingston Trio. We stayed in contact over the years and I was proud to be one of those who campaigned with him when he ran for President in 1968. Buffy and I traveled with the campaign and sang on the backs of trains, flat-bed trucks, town squares and high school auditoriums. I wrote songs as we went and the images of the people who loved him and believed in what he told them has been the inspiration for other songs, years after it was over..."

The Laser-Light CD features Lindsey Buckingham, Dave Batti and Dennis Kenmore. and Buffy Ford Stewart. Stewart's fans are familiar with these songs, but the versions on this CD are enriched.

The songs:

1. Clack Clack / Oldest Living Son

2. You Can't Go Back to Kansas

3. The Pirates of Stone County Road

4. Dreamers on the Rise
5. Cody

6. Spirit / Survivors Medley
7. Hearts and Dreams on the Line

8. Crying in the Storm

9. Last Campaign (Reprise)

So if you don't have a truck, it's OK. This is a special CD anyone "With Hearts and Dreams On the Line" can find inspiration from.

Two Horses

2009-04-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

My good friend, German folk singer/songwriter Jan Hauenstein wrote a song based on this prose I sent him. Alas I haven't figured out how to upload "Two Horses" to this blog, but it might be available at his efolk address: http://efolkmusic.org/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=userProfile&user=318 It is lovely how it all came together...

Two Horses

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.

Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that
she will not lead him astray.

Good friends are like stars…….You don’t always see them,
But you know they are always there.

My Favorite Folk Album of All Time?

2009-04-06T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hands down it's the Allen-Ward Trio. WHO? Yes, the little known Canadian group who recorded just one album on Vanguard back in 1965. I first heard some of their music from Chicago folk singer/friend Ellen Dee. Ellen played at It's Here the same time the Whitsuntide Singers did. She did a number of the songs off that album, the best of which is Brothers, Sisters, and Friends.

The Allen-Ward Trio had tight 3 part harmony and great accompaniment from Gordon Lightfoot's guitar player, David Rae. Much of the material is traditional tunes like East Virginia. Still, song for song an album I wore out over the years.

Unfortunately, it has yet to be released on CD, and I seriously doubt that it ever will. I have luckily been able to pick up 2 more LPs on ebay, one of which is still sealed! I have had it converted to compact disc and consider it my favorite folk album of all-time.

Allen-Ward Trio
Initial release: 1965
Vanguard VRS 9189
Tracks:

Brothers, Sisters and Friends
Hold On to Me Babe
I Need a Friend
Oh, Babe It Ain't No Lie
No More Auction Block
Nowadays
The Coventry Carol
East Virginia
Poor Mourner
Leather Winged Bat
Roll, Freedom
Trooper and the Maid
The Cuckoo
Long River

Musicians:
Craig Allen - guitar, vocals
Lynne Ward - vocals
Robin Ward - vocals
David Rae - guitar
Russ Savakus - bass

Tracy Grammer's Wonderful Wisconsin Concert

2009-03-30T16:30:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday evening a few of us prairie folks drove up the back roads to enjoy a much anticipated and long awaited visit (to these parts) from Tracy Grammer. I have been listening to Dave Carter and her CDs for several years now on the suggestion of folk singer pal Claudia Russell, who "opened" for Dave and Tracy some time ago.

To simply refer to this experience as a "show" or "performance" would totally miss the mark as to what actually occurred for two or so hours that magical evening. The manner in which Tracy engaged her audience (and make no mistake, she owned us) was unlike any concert I'd attended before. The intimacy and honesty of that night might be impossible to duplicate until perhaps...the next time she takes the stage.

Tracy's artistry leaves me stumbling to find the words to describe her musical persona. She interprets and delivers lyrics as if they are being sung for the first time. Her guitar work is flawless. Tracy is on a lengthy spring tour, and will even be back in Wisconsin before it's conclusion. For more info visit her website at: http://www.tracygrammer.com/

Above: A picture taken outside the bathrooms (classy) is Dave Hodge, Tracy, and Me.

Michael P. Smith's Mt. Morris Show

2009-03-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday night Michael Smith played the Blackhawk Folk Society monthly concert down the road a piece. The tiny 100 year old town hall was packed. This is only the third time I've seen him live, and it was a charm! He started his show with "Sister Clarissa" which is one of my favorite songs of all the masterpieces he has written. Michael did a number of live performance staples, including M.P.S. gems "We Become Birds When We Die", "Famous in France", "Zippy" and of course an encore of "The Dutchman". Noticeably missing was the brilliant "I Brought My Father With Me", but my handkerchief had worked over-time on "Birds" anyway...

The crowd was taken on an emotional roller coaster ride, as only this fabulous singer/songwriter can. Longtime fans were mesmerized and first timers blown away (we brought 3 newbies). Michael was extremely gracious, signing autographs and happily allowing fan photos (Eileen, Michael & Ann pictured above, and him & me too) though he had a four hour drive back to Chicago that night. I love this guy!

Remembering Lily Heyen Withrow

2009-03-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

March 17th, Saint Patrick's Day is Lily Withrow's birthday as well. Lily was an extremely talented writer, a passionate activist, an author, a reporter and a friend. I first met Lily as an member of the John Stewart online community: Bloodlines. We were already e-mail buddies when I later got to meet her in person in 2003 at (Kingston) Trio Fantasy Camp in Scottsdale AZ.

Lily and I were kindred spirits as they say. Among other things we bonded on was our mutual love of animals and disdain for then president George W. Bush. (Lily gave me a tee shirt once that had the international "NO" symbol, red circle with the line through it over his four letter name).

Lily lost here battle with cancer in May of 2005. She was never one to complain about her illness and preferred not to talk about it. Lily fought for things she could change and accepted the things she couldn't. She left behind a loving husband Lew, and son Miko. She also left a piece of herself in her book: I AM, Visions from Lily's Pad. It's a wonderful collection of poetry and prose by an equally wonderful human being. Happy birthday Lily...

(BTW, You can order Lily's book through the link to the right).

The John McCutcheon "Live at Wolf Trap" CD

2009-03-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Dave Hodge brought over the Live At Wolf Trap CD for me to listen to recently. I honestly never gave John McCutcheon much attention beyond his masterpiece "Christmas In The Trenches" (a song about an actual occurrence during WW1 when the fighting stopped on Christmas eve, for an exchange of greetings between the Allies and the Germans). If you spend more than a few minutes on this blog it will play shortly.

Anyway, I bypassed a lot of McCutcheon's music over the years because a lot of what he does is children's songs, admittedly not my area of interest. Well, Live At Wolf Trap is more than just a good album. It is maybe the closest you can come to being at a show, without actuallybeing there. It almost has a Prairie Home Companion feel to it.

McCutcheon plays several instruments including the hammer dulcimer throughout the CD's wide range of original material. It is a rare and totally engaging performance. Thanks for sharing Dave!

John Stewart's New (old) Album

2009-03-03T08:15:00.000-08:00

My musical hero has a new album out, albeit with little fanfare. This live performance is a gem of a recording done with a stripped down band.

In the early 1970's, John Stewart was a superstar in Phoenix, Arizona where his "The Phoenix Concerts" album was recorded in March of 1974. Five months earlier, on November 30, 1973, he appeared at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, and that show was taped. Unreleased until now, "Bite My Foot" is the first 70's recording to feature John backed only by his regular touring group of bass, drums, and piano. John's voice, songs, and guitar ring through like never before and highlight, in Buffy Ford Stewart´s words, "the young John Stewart voice we all loved so much." Here is the track list of Stewart classics:

Intro
Anna On A Memory
All Time Woman
California Bloodlines
Intro To Pirates *
Pirates Of Stone County Road
Intro To Mazatlan *
Mazatlan
National Monument *
Roll Away The Stone
Kennedy Campaign *
The Last Campaign Trilogy
Last Campaign
Wild Horse Road
All The Brave Horses
Intermission *
Mother Country
Intro to July *
July You're A Woman
Wheatfield Lady
Greatest Days *
Cooler Water, Higher Ground
Razor Back Woman
Kansas Rain
Tucson *
Runaway Fool Of Love
Wolves In The Kitchen
Banjo Solo Time
Never Goin Back To Nashville

Tom Rush has a New Album!

2009-02-13T11:48:00.000-08:00

Me teaching Tom Rush the words to Itty-Bitty Spider

I just got an e-mail from Tom announcing that his first new album in 30 some years is available, (and my order is already placed). Tom Rush is one of my 3 favorite singer/songwriters of all-time along with John Stewart and Eric Andersen. I've heard some of these 15 songs before either in concert or on YouTube, but none have easy to wrap your ears around during the 30 years drought. Here's some of what Tom has to say about the release:

Hi and welcome!

I went down to Nashville and my old buddy Jim Rooney worked with me as producer. He has the most amazing assortment of musicians on call, and I’m truly delighted with the results. Emmylou stopped by an sang some harmonies, as did Nanci Griffith and Bonnie Bramlett. (I hadn’t seen Bonnie since we were on the Festival Express train together back in 1970!)
It’s coming out on the Appleseed label, and will be available on the 24th of February. (It’s been 30-some years since Ladies Love Outlaws, the last studio album, so what’s a few more days?)

Tom Rush

I was fortunate enough to spend a little time with Tom when he was in town for a show a couple years back. He actually came by my office the next day and I shared copy/fax/phone capabilities with him as he keep up with stuff on the road. Maybe we'll get him back this way someday and we can share another Glen Levitts.

Rare Whitsuntide Trio Photo Surfaces

2009-02-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

This old picture (circa 1966) taken at the Red Fox Supper Club in Wild Rose, WI may actually be the first "professional" appearance of the group. From left to right: Lenny Dwelle, A patron buying us beers, me and Denny Preston.

We were a shameless cover band of Kingston Trio material, hence the striped shirts. I wonder what the hell those guys are doing right now?

Linda Ronstadt (and me)

2009-02-05T06:44:00.000-08:00

OK, the pressure is on to complete my Brush with the Stars "series". The next two of these entries both occurred at the Quiet Knight folk club on Belmont Ave. in Chicago. This "brush" doesn't have near the bristles that Waylon did, but none the less it's worth recalling.

Linda had recently broken up with The Stone Ponies and was launching her solo career (1969ish - '70). Whats of particular interest is the fact that her back-up musicians were two fellas she introduced as "Tits & Ass" (later they would be founding members of the Eagles).

All four of the original Eagles toured with her in 1971 briefly, but these couple of guys (Randy Meisner on base and Bernie Leadon on acoustic guitar) were on stage that night. Well enough of the history lesson, its "brush" time.

To get to the men's room at the Quiet Knight you had to walk past the green room. In doing so I peered in over the Dutch door only to see Linda, Randy and Bernie plinking a mandolin with the club owner and some other folks. Somebody opened the bottom half of the door and shouted "come on in"! And I did. So for about the time it takes to drink a couple half warm beers and kibitz with the band, I rubbed elbows with some of the future giants of the Country/rock era. Right place-right time (again).

Every Day Is a Blessing, Every Day is a Song...

2009-01-22T16:31:00.000-08:00

Life is complicated, and often difficult. You never know what is coming next, and it does no good to fret. Unless those frets are on your guitar. The one in the corner that you don't pick up enough. Music has such an incredible way of smoothing out the bumps. It also soothes the bruises.

We find a full range of emotions in the lyrics of a song. Comfort, joy, sadness, oft merely quiet reflection. Or perhaps its just simple diversion from day to day trials.

Notes and chords, a strum and a hum. Like a slight breeze you didn't expect, captured from the calm of a lilting chorus.

At the end of the day, give me a song, or let me share one with you.

Pardon The Interuption

2009-01-11T08:36:00.000-08:00

I've not posted lately, but I have a good excuse. On Christmas Eve day I had a heart attack. My four-hundred foot driveway, and the record snowfall this December in Wisconsin got the best of me. But I'm on the mend, doing cardiac rehab and all in all I am a very lucky duck.

The Winter Solstice Approaches

2008-12-18T08:19:00.000-08:00

Sunday will "officially" usher in winter. However it has felt like winter for the whole month of December. Considerable snowfall coupled with below zero temps has Wisconsin in an icy grip. The forecast for the next few days includes Winter Storm Warnings through the weekend. On the evening of 12/21/08 friends and neighbors will gather at Jim Prasch's farm for the annual Solstice ritual (party) and brave the frigid night air to burn a huge bonfire and celebrate the season much as the Druids did long ago. It's become a welcome custom that I look forward to on an annual basis.

ANOTHER LEGEND...GONE

2008-12-03T10:56:00.000-08:00

Odetta, the folk singer with the powerful voice who moved audiences and influenced fellow musicians for a half-century, has died. She was 77.Odetta died Tuesday of heart disease at Lenox Hill Hospital, said her manager of 12 years, Doug Yeager. She was admitted to the hospital with kidney failure about three weeks ago, he said.In spite of failing health that caused her to use a wheelchair, Odetta performed 60 concerts in the last two years, singing for 90 minutes at a time. Her singing ability never diminished, Yeager said."The power would just come out of her like people wouldn't believe," he said.With her booming, classically trained voice and spare guitar, Odetta gave life to the songs by workingmen and slaves, farmers and miners, housewives and washerwomen, blacks and whites. First coming to prominence in the 1950s, she influenced Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and other singers who had roots in the folk music boom.An Odetta record on the turntable, listeners could close their eyes and imagine themselves hearing the sounds of spirituals and blues as they rang out from a weathered back porch or around a long-vanished campfire a century before."What distinguished her from the start was the meticulous care with which she tried to re-create the feeling of her folk songs; to understand the emotions of a convict in a convict ditty, she once tried breaking up rocks with a sledge hammer," Time magazine wrote in 1960.

We Missed a Great Show

2008-12-01T13:42:00.001-08:00

Dave Hodge stopped by over the weekend. In the course of conversation that drifted towards music, he mentioned we had missed Christine Kane in Amherst recently. I have heard a lot about her, as she has been to Central Wisconsin before. This is a song by her that explores the pitfalls in a relationship involving animal rescue.

Tracy Grammer is coming to Central Wisconsin

2008-11-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

I just found out that Tracy Grammer is going to be here in March, the 28th to be exact. Our good friend singer-songwriter Claudia Russell introduced her to me a couple/three years ago. Claudia and Bruce opened for her and Dave Carter some years back, and was blown away by them.

She will be performing at the Jensen Center in Amherst. This is a great little venue, of about one hundred-fifty seats auditorium style. We have seen lots of great folk artists there over the years including Michael P. Smith, who incidently will be up our way this winter as well.

I have never seen her live, so we will get a group together and wiggle up the backroads the end of March. A complete introduction to her can be found at http://www.tracygrammer.com/

Remembering Joe

2008-11-19T08:15:00.000-08:00

Ten years ago today we lost Joe. His passing epitomized the saying that "Life is not fair". He was my very good friend, but much more than that to his wife and 2 sons. So many people were cheated out of the love, companionship, and fun he brought to their lives. But again, let it be said that "Life is not fair".

At dusk this evening we visit Joe's Spot. Its the place Eileen buried his ashes on their land, walking distance for the folks who will be there remembering Joe. He gets lots of visits though. Throughout the year, several times a week we pass Joe's Spot while on dog walks. And there's a little stone bench and a bird bath that attract the forest's critters when people aren't around.

After a time we will trundle over to Eileen's place, then lift a glass or two to his memory and share both laughs and tears. Eileen has asked me to bring over some "old" music that Joe would like. One of the CDs I plan on bringing this evening is the just released (posthumously) John Stewart, The Piano Album.

John died this past January (coincidentally on the 19th of the month as well). He recorded this album in 1976, so it qualifies as "old" music. Stewart discarded his guitar just this once in favor of a piano. The album was never released until this week. Joe was a self taught piano player who could plop down at the piano bench and apply his nimble paws to the "88s" pleasing and amazing of anyone within earshot. Joe enjoyed Stewart and would like this CD. The last song is a very personal version of Auld Lang Syne which couldn't be more appropriate. I also burned another disc of music that hopefully reflects the life, times, and spirit of Joe and all those he has touched.

Nick Reynolds passed away...

2008-10-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

I have not had a blog entry in weeks and therefore don't expect to many folks to be following any more. The first rule of blogging is consistency. I was never much for rules anyway. But I must sadly post that I just received a phone call that Nick Reynolds of the Kingston Trio passed away peacefully last night at around 10PM. Nick was one third of the reason why there WAS a Whitsuntide Trio. And after decades of fandum on my part I finally got to not only meet him but play and sing with him at Trio Fantasy Camp back in 2005.

Nick was in a word...a gentleman. A giant in folk music, but a humble and thoughtful human being with a wry sense of humor. My memories of "camp" are even more precious having had him say to me "Tom, you have the best tenor voice in the group". Bill Bush, the author of many a KT3 article and the definitive book about the Kingston Trio reminded me that I should be very proud hearing that out of Nick. I am indeed.

So sadly Nick and John both left this earth in 2008 and have joined Dave Guard "Singing with the Angel Band"...

A Show Not To Be Missed!

2008-08-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

Good friend Claudia Russell is performing the Dan Fogelberg tribute described below. Lots of opportunities to see the show(s) since its 2 months long. Gonna have ta skedaddle up thata way this fall! Sometimes a Song: The Music of Dan Fogelberg. In this original concert, AFT celebrates the songs of Dan Fogelberg, one of popular music's most gifted and successful singer-songwriters. With classic hits like Longer, Leader of the Band, The Power of Gold and Same Auld Lang Syne, Fogelberg remains a timeless voice in the world of popular song. His thirty-two year career included an amazing variety of material, including forays into bluegrass and folk. AFT’s stellar trio features Scott Wakefield, Claudia Russell, and Paul Helm, who bring their own fresh voices and instruments to Fogelberg’s songs. Sometimes a Song will kick-off at Ephraim Village Hall on Friday, September 5 and continue through Saturday, October 25. Sunday will be our “dark day” at Ephraim this year. Go to FALL SCHEDULE
Friday, September 5 - Saturday, October 25.

The Forest For The Trees?

2008-08-07T08:10:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we attended a memorial picnic for Ann's best friend's mother who passed earlier this year. It was a picture perfect day and the gathering was treated to a short performance by singer/songwriter L.J. Booth. I had heard of him before, but not "heard" him.

The irony is that he is local, yet I've never crossed paths. What's that they say about "not seeing the forest for the trees"? Well, turns out he is wonderful wordsmith whose finger picking guitar style is well heralded by such keepers of the genre as the likes of Dirty Linen and Sing Out.

Our friend David Hodge lent me his newest CD, The Ox That Pulls The Cart. It is a great piece of acoustic work, with incomparable lyrics. I highly recommend it. It can be ordered from http://www.cdbaby.com/ His song Box Elder is a masterpiece.

A Legend Coming To These Parts!

2008-07-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

This Saturday night (and I emphasis NIGHT) former Byrd, Chris Hillman will be at the Indian Crossing Casino http://www.blacksquirrelwebworks.com/IndianCC.html along with Herb Pedersen. These guys did 8 albums together as part of the Desert Rose Band. The great country rock band Heartsfield will be opening for them. At my age I hope I can stay up long enough to see Hillman, as I love his mandolin playing.

Herb Pedersen is no slouch on guitar either. I'm betting it's going to be a can't miss show, especially in that nifty old venue. We saw the Pure Prairie League there a number of years ago. Because the place use to be everything from a dance hall to a roller skating rink there are no permanent seats, but there is a bar!

HELLO MICHAEL P. SMITH, IS THAT YOU BEHIND THOSE FOSTER-GRANTS?

2008-07-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the Blackhawk Folk Festival. This years headliner was Michael Smith, who I have written about before. He is without a doubt one of the finest singer/songwriters of the past half century. His most widely known (and covered) song is "The Dutchman" made famous in my world by Steve Goodman.

I really wanted to see him again as it has been a couple/three years since he played in the area. We got there about thirty minutes prior to his set and I cracked a beer and decided to hit the outhouse before the show. As I'm walking through the crowd Dave Green calls out my name and I walk over to his picnic table and there sits Michael Smith! I get introduced properly and sit down for a spirited discussion of the "state of the genre".

Michael is scary-smart, with a edgy sharpness that borders on sarcasm. I'm guessing that's where his incredible lyrics bubble up from. Anyway it was a great conversation. He excused himself and proceeded to the stage to do his performance. Michael opened with "There's A Panther In Michigan". What a song that really features his off-the-neck guitar work. The Dutchman was next, and I settled into the rhythm of the set. Because of the setting and audience he didn't do some of his intimate material like "I Brought My Father With Me". But he did a killer job on "Birds" (we become birds when we die). SHHH! Knock me over with a feather.

We bought the relatively new live CD "Such Things Are Finely Done". Ann had Michael autograph it. As he left the festival grounds I grabbed my camera a caught an image of him from behind striding towards the gate, guitar case in hand. I will have to post it here, there is something unique about it's quality.

Damn, this has been a good summer for folk music!

My Cameo Performance!

2008-07-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

Last week during Claudia Russell & The Folk Unlimited Orchestra's show I got called up on to the stage to play kazoo on one of their songs! We had rehearsed it the night before after many-several Bud Light Limes. This was my first time "performing" in front of a crowd since my 2003 appearance with John Stewart and Nick Reynolds at Kingston Trio Fantasy Camp.

Diminished talent and a general lack of musical skills have not kept me from playing folk music every chance I get. Tomorrow night The Band will be on WFMT Radio in Chicago with the host from the syndicated show The Midnight Special. I am hoping it will be "streamed" over the Internet (thanks to Al Gore) so I can hear this great bunch of performers in my living room again.

Claudia Russell Band Here Tomorrow!

2008-07-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

Well, the Folk Unlimited Orchestra will be arriving Thursday in preparation for their big show at Riverfront Rendezvous Friday evening. And we can't wait! In preparation we just picked up a real bed for the guest room (instead of that sleeper sofa). I have a room air conditioner in the loft where the rest of the band will be camped out. Nothing is too good for our friends from Berkley CA.

Their Midwestern tour includes a stop in Chicago to do a radio show on WFMT's "Midnight Special". That will be super exposure for her and the gang. Who knows, since they are getting here a day early perhaps there will be some impromptu porch picking at our place, a kind of rehearsal of sorts.

I went downtown and put Claudia Russell posters all over since there will be thousands of people coming in (for the free Bodeans concert tomorrow). The bigger her audience, the more CDs they will sell. It's shaping up to be a fun weekend!

Seamus Has Gone To The Rainbow Bridge

2008-06-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

Thirteen years ago I made an unplanned visit to the humane society. We had been thinking about getting a companion dog for Duffy our basset. As I walked through the kennel I came upon a small brown and black pup whose breed was indistinguishable, he was a mutt. He was eating, but I reached into the cage anyhow to pet him. He wagged his tail and stopped chewing long enough to lick my hand.

It was spring and he was found wandering the streets around the university campus. The humane officer thought that he was "turned loose" by some college student who had gone home on break. As I recall my brother Jim, friend Charlie, Ann, and I did a second trip to the shelter, at which time I signed the adoption papers. Because it was close to St. Patrick's day the pup was appropriately named "Seamus".

Seamus lived large. He never needed a leash. He knew our twenty acres of woods and the adjacent fields and prairies and never strayed. He loved to run. He would get ahead of the rest of us on dog walks, but always looked and doubled back to be sure we were coming.

Seamus was a cancer survivor. For a time a half a dozen years ago we thought he might have to have a front leg amputated. But the wonderful veterinarians, Diane and Kris at Oakview Clinic cured him with chemotherapy. He later had to have a tendon in another leg operated on that he tore running on ice. But there was no slowing him down...that is until a week ago when he started to show signs of discomfort, especially very labored breathing.

Ann took him to the emergency clinic in Appleton WI, where ultra-sound and other tests revealed the extent of his cancer. On Saturday afternoon, June 28th we had to let him go. Ann and I held him as he took his last breath, and we said "Goodbye".

We drove Seamus home in a driving rain and hail storm. That evening when the weather cleared up, we buried "The Skinny Man" on the hill under the pines by Duffy. There are lots of things I will miss about Seamus, especially the way he would plop down next to me in bed at night. He always laid close by my side...I think I will miss that the most.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Billy Faier Live!

2008-06-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was Gene and Angela's annual "Spudacular" aka: The First Potato Salad of Summer Picnic in St. Paul MN. While this event always attracts some pretty darn good musicians (and me), this time the legendary banjo picker Billy Faier performed. He had done a gig at the Ginkgo Coffee House on Thursday. The stars and frets were aligned such, that he put on a house concert on Gene's back deck for about a dozen or so lucky folks on Saturday afternoon.

Meeting and spending time with Billy is an experience, privilege, and a pleasure. He shoots from the hip and is very economical with his words in the course of conversation. I aptly listened a lot and was fascinated by his recollections on his career in folk music. On Friday afternoon he took my friend Wayne behind the proverbial banjo woodshed. He said Wayne's banjo "had no bottom" and it's neck was too skinny (as in narrow). Also he told Wayne "You don't play any notes!" No kidding! Wayne is more adept at frailing. Like I'm more comfortable strumming or flat picking my guitar than actually trying to play music...Sheeesh.

Jo (Deermouse) and I were attempting to tune my guitar to her autoharp, but it took too long and Billy mumbled something and ambled away. I suspect when you've played with the giants of the genre, you don't have a lot of patience for a neophyte suffering from "chain-saw ear".

Billy is a gracious guy and has a wry sense of humor, and I get the sense he's always thinking something. Or maybe playing something. Twice while I was at Henriksen's Billy sat down at the piano and played...West Texas Rag? Shit, I don't know, but it was darn good. I'll try and post a picture from his show soon. As Rambling Jack Elliott wrote in his song 912 Greens:

"We had the name of this 5 string banjo player named Billy Faier to look up, so we found Billy Faier, down there at 912 Toulouse Street and the rest, well that's a whole 'nother song".

So thanks Billy, Gene & Angela. You guys really know how to mix banjos and potato salad.

Future Earnings

2008-05-27T12:19:00.000-07:00

It's been a little over four months since my hero, John Stewart tried on his own pair of angel wings. I have a mental image of him in heaven. It goes like this: I am in the back row looking over a vast audience of angels, their wings somewhat obstructing my view. But the sound is excellent. Alone on a stage obscured by clouds (they don't need smoke machines up there) stands John, trying to get the strap of his Taylor guitar over his own new set of angelic appendages. Oh, and he is wearing the same cowboy hat that is in the accompanying photo by Henry Diltz.

On earth John achieved a certain measure of fame. The Kingston Trio years saw to that. Even as a solo singer/songwriter he amassed a small legion of faithful followers that still communicate amongst themselves on a daily basis on the Internet. This group is called Bloodliners. Today, one enterprising 'Liner posted a simple query: "What Next?" I had a response, but then thought better of it, as I felt it might shake the foundation of the world that is Stewart.

Over the years fans have been exchanging unauthorized recordings with each other in a wink-wink, nod-nod not so secretive manner. John's best friend Tom Delisle persuaded John to release a small portion of the vast underground catalogue, most notably the CD Wires From The Bunker. But there is a huge reservoir of Stewart's music that could be shared with the proceeds going to his estate. Maybe his "people" are already charting that course, fans can only hope so. But we aren't getting any younger either!

I think John's song Future Earnings, off the Escape to Arizona CD is somewhat prophetic regarding the subject. The lyrics certainly seem so to me.

Title:
FUTURE EARNINGS
Songwriter:
John Stewart
Copyright:
© John Stewart, All Rights Reserved
Recording:
Escape to Arizona (Homecoming, 800, 1993)
Lyrics:
I've used up all my options and I've emptied my reserves
My tricks are fooling no one and I'm running now on nerves
I'm feeling like the astronauts as the world just slips away
It's not that I am desperate, it's not that I don't pray

Victories of the young and hungry don't escape me now
It's not I don't remember, it's that I've forgotten how
I'm collecting useless boxes and lines upon my face
It's the perfect place to be when all that's left is faith

Living in denial has always worked before
It's so loud it almost masks the slamming of the door
I can't believe I'm getting old, as if I never would
The arrogance of youth is not easily understood

I've used up all my options and I've emptied my reserves
My tricks are fooling no one and I'm running now on nerves
I'm feeling like the astronauts as the world just slips away
It's not that I am desperate, it's not that I don't pray

So I'm collecting useless boxes and lines upon my face
It's the perfect place to be when all that's left is faith

Is This Heaven?

2008-05-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I drove to Iowa to see my best friend Ranger Wayne. As I was passing the freshly plowed fields being prepared for planting, I saw a sign for Dyersville - "Home of the Field of Dreams". Without a second thought I took the side road, it was just 9 miles to the farm. Coming up over a hill, there it was...just like in the movie! There were only a half dozen or so people there. A couple was playing catch, and three young folks were laying on the lawn in the afternoon sun. I bought a disposable camera at the small concession stand and walked towards the field. I asked a young lady to snap my picture as I sat on the bleachers, she obliged. After that I strolled out to first base. It was concrete, not a traditional "sack". I suppose that was so no one would take it as a souvenir, though I can't imagine anyone stealing anything from that sacred spot.

I use to play first base as a boy. Later as a young man on a softball team, that position belonged to my friend Joe. He was tall and very sure handed. Standing there at first base, I thought about how the game of baseball had helped foster our friendship. I could feel his presence at that magical place, the same place where Shoeless Joe Jackson walked out from amongst the corn stalks.

When I finally got to Wayne's we had a beer and planned more baseball related activities. Weather permitting we would travel to Des Moines the next day to see the AAA Iowa Cubs game. Along the way we would visit the Bob Feller museum. Our best laid plans were dashed in that the museum was closed, and the game got rained out. Nevertheless, it was a great couple days. And I did experience The Field of Dreams. I still get shivers when I see the scene where Terrance Mann (James Earl Jones) says:

"Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come".

Ode To The Pines

2008-05-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

Thirty-five years ago I bought twenty acres of woods in North Central Wisconsin. What sold me on the particular plot was a tall stand of red pine trees that were at least forty feet tall back in 1973. These trees had been planted plantation style during World War ll.

Originally there were over four hundred of them, but after 2 selective thinnings about half remain. I built my log cabin in their midst. These gentle giants now reach over ninety feet into the sky. They shade our house in the summer. And remind us of coming falls, when cold breezes whistle through their boughs in October.

A couple of years ago after two summers of severe drought, about a dozen of them (closest to the house) became stressed and susceptible to a nasty little insect called a "pine borer". One of them died and eleven others now show signs of the same fate, so sadly they are being cut down today.

Ode To The Pines:

I pitched a tent on your needles soft

As I lay on the forest's floor...

gazed up through your branches, high aloft

and saw things like never before...

I built my home, cradled in your midst

and you sheltered us from the storm...

the seasons pass, as seasons must

yet you kept us out of harm...

Quote for the day...

2008-05-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith, from spiritual faith to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependency, from dependency back again into bondage." -Sir Alex Fraser Tyler, 1742-1813, Scottish jurist and historian

"We Were Buskers"

2008-04-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

Busking
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Buskers Wayne and Tom at work at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale circa 1969.
Busking is the practice of doing live performances in public places to entertain people, usually to solicit donations and tips. Those engaging in this practice are called buskers. Busking is a British term used in many areas of the English-speaking world. In the United States, buskers are more often called street performers or street musicians. In this instance, people and on-lookers removed money from the guitar and banjo cases as opposed to putting it in!

Steve & Cindy in Mount Morris Saturday!

2008-04-10T17:59:00.000-07:00

Darcy Farrow was made popular ( in folk circles) by Ian & Sylvia on their album Early Morning Rain. I was fortunate enough to have discovered Steve Gillette in 1967. He had co-written the song with Tom Campbell. It's a folk classic for the ages.

I wore that first Vanguard album out, (along with that of the Allen-Ward Trio). I never got to see Steve live until a few years ago at the Jensen Center in Amherst WI. I had no idea that he had teamed up with Cindy Mangsen, nor did I know he (they) had a bunch of CDs out. At intermission I talked with Steve and told him I had his first album on vinyl, to which he responded "So you're the guy who bought that".

We chatted until we were the last two people in the lobby and the house lights flickered, signaling the start of the second half. We grinned at each other and Steve ran to the stage door...

So in two days he is playing at the old Town Hall in Mount Morris and I'll (we'll) be there to see one of the all time best singer/songwriters of the entire folk era/movement/revival. Yippee!

More old Whitsuntide Singers "live" photos!

2008-03-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

OK, if memory serves this one was from a show at the Flying Carpet Hotel in Des Plaines IL. circa 1967-68? They had a Las Vegas type show lounge there that we played one weekend. I forgot that Denny played banjo! (but that's what he is doing) Barb was the first of three female vocalists with the group. It sure looks like we were working hard and those jackets were 100% wool, and hotter than Elliot Spitzer hooker. Next up, a nearly extinct Hornpout photo!

Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin Show

2008-03-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

Here's hoping we get a decent crowd on a "school night" for Wil and Robert. At least they had a good day to travel from Door County on down to Stevens Point. I think we've done as good a job as we could on publicity. WNPR's Simply Folk played Saint Anne's Reel and announced the Wisconsin tour dates and locations. WUSP played commercials free before being bought out a week or so ago. Thanks to Dave Green for that. Also the local papers have had articles in them as late as this morning.

A bunch of friends are coming to the show and I will have a little "meet & greet" this afternoon before we head over to the hotel for the show. This should be a fun evening!

"AMERICA'S GREATEST COFFEE HOUSE"

2008-02-21T07:47:00.000-08:00

I have fallen prey to my political rants again recently, and must steer back to the original purpose of this blog (whatever that is). Ah yes: the short, less than brilliant history of The Whitsuntide Singers.

Today I will test my memory about coffee houses we played, particularly It's Here. This popular night spot was located on Sheridan Road in Chicago. It was right adjacent to Loyola University. There was a built in audience of college students hungry for folk music. We had a six week gig there, and it felt like home. The owner was an unuasual guy (to say the least) named Eddy Gunger. He didn't pay particularly well, but he did pay in cash.

The Whitsuntide Singers configuration at that time included the Hornpout. We were generally the opening act on Friday and Saturday nights. Most of the time the other performers were "singles" and routinely we shared the stage with Joel Cory and Ellen Dee (who I had a crush on). Joel later produced our record. Ellen had a fantastic voice and was an accomplished 12 string guitar player plus a damn nice lady.

It's Here had floor seating. Lot's of big pillows and short tables. There was a balcony upstairs that usually was reserved and gave a great view of the compact stage. Eddy was very proud of his lighting and sound and sat in a control booth working the levers and levels to create some very nifty effects for the performers. The place was always full.

I remember one cold winter night after we parked the car we walked a block or so to the club and found a long line of people waiting to get in. As we passed them on our way to the entrance I noticed our name up on the marque (very cool).

The Whitsuntide Singers were now getting gigs at colleges around the country so we left the safety of It's Here for more money and exposure. It was probably the smart thing to do, but I could have stayed and played that room forever.

My Hero is Gone...Updated

2008-01-19T11:25:00.000-08:00

John Stewart has died. The world has lost the greatest singer/songwriter of our time. He is the closest thing to a hero I have had in my life. I pray for Buffy and the family.

It has been difficult to open up much about how John’s passing has affected me. I can say that I only spoke with the man a handful times. But he has been talking (singing) to me since 1969. I am just one of thousands of people who were, and still are profoundly touched by his music. So while he didn’t know me, I knew him…

Because I don’t get Bloodlines digest at home, I hadn’t heard that John was stricken until Friday when Gene Henriksen called. On Saturday morning I was driving to the re-cycling center (ok, it’s the dump) and I was listening to The Trio Years CD from the American Journey box set. During the song The New Frontier my cell phone rang and it was Gene. He told me to pull over. I stopped my truck on a desolate, cold, country road and Gene said “He’s gone”. That was about the extent of our conversation.

I am not ashamed to say I cried for some time, and the weird cloak of disbelief and sadness hasn’t lifted yet. Yes, there is solace in knowing he spent his remaining time with people he loved. That he played music until the end, and his grave condition lasted but a short time. John went out like the hero he is. John really is bigger than life itself.

At last count John Stewart had written forty-eight songs about or with references to angels. So it is fitting that he now takes his place “singing with the angel band…”

More Whitsuntide History

2008-01-04T12:28:00.000-08:00

Over the holidays my wife Ann was pulling out Christmas decorations in the attic/ loft, and buried under mountains of "stuff" was an old photo album containing pictures from the early days of my music endeavors. I will over the next few blog entries address each of the configurations of the Whitsuntide Trio(s) and subsequent Singers with a corresponding photograph. This one is the very first iteration of the trio of Lenny Dwelle, Bill Kolacek, and myself circa 1965.

We were all recent high school grads, me barely (I was 317 out of a class of 324). Folk music was king, or was it Kingston? We raced out and bought guitars. My first being a $30.00 nylon string Harmony. Once we all had 3 chords down we learned a slew of KT songs and sounded every bit as good as the trio in the house next door.

After practicing all summer we all went on to different colleges and Bill lost interest in the group in favor of becoming a pilot. I'm not sure but I think that ended him up in Viet Nam. As stated in an earlier post I hooked up with Denny Preston at Robert Morris College in Carthage IL. Soon after introduced him to our leader Lenny, and Denny and his booming twelve string joined the Whitsuntide Trio which was about to embark upon a modestly successful career (like ten thousand other folk groups of that era).

God's Speed Dan

2007-12-17T09:23:00.000-08:00

This message was posted to Dan Fogelberg's website yesterday morning...

Sunday, December 16

Dear friends,

Dan left us this morning at 6:00am. He fought a brave battle with cancer and died peacefully at home in Maine with his wife Jean at his side. His strength, dignity, and grace in the face of the daunting challenges of this disease were an inspiration to all who knew him.

Dan Fogelberg was an incredibly gifted singer/songwriter. I discovered him early on, as he was an "Illinois guy" like me. His lyrics are sharp like ice, while his voice is smooth as a meandering river. Dan's many albums occupy a shelf in the music corner. I suspect I will revisit them soon and often. On this sad day I recall a verse from his song "Illinois"

Flat on the prairies, soil and stone
Stretching forever taking me home
'Cause I've got a woman who waits for me there
And I need a breath of that sweet country air
(Chorus)
Illinois, Illinois
Illinois, I'm your boy

Rest in peace song man...

LOOKING FOR LENNY

2007-12-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

Actually when I first started this blogy thing-o-mojig, I hoped that someday one of my old Whitsuntide Singers friends would Google the band name and find the site. I would really like to re-connect with Lenny, Denny, and Marci (Barb for that matter too). I tried "classmates" and "reunion" sites, but to no avail.

I recently did a search myself to find that The Whitsuntide Singers now show up #3! So maybe my chances of locating those folks I spent so many wonderful times with during the 60's and early 70's are improving. I mean they were all bright, engaging people, so they SHOULD have the Internet, SHOULDN'T they?

Last I heard of Lenny he was a stock broker in Chicago, those guys have to be computer literate I would assume. I'm also counting on the fact that they wouldn't totally forget those years of their lives. I mean I was the only one back then that did recreational drugs in our band. No, maybe the drugs were later, we just use to drink beer...lots of beer. I still drink lots of beer come to think of it. Hmmm...

What's a Socially Responsible Eagles Fan To Do?

2007-11-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

Back in the 70's I was a big Eagles fan. I actually saw them before they "officially" formed. It was at a club in Chicago I use to live at called the Quiet Knight. Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon and Don Henley were the back-up band for a young vocalist named Linda Ronstad. She had just shed the Stone Ponies, and was starting out on her solo career. As I recall she did OK. She introduced them as "Tits & Ass" That name never took.

The first time I saw the full band perform (which also included Don Felder) they were the opening group for the band "Yes". I have never really enjoyed any other configurations of the Eagles as much as the original four. I think that's because when Bernie left, he took his banjo and mandolin which really sweetened the first couple albums.

Anyway, as you probably know they have just come out with their first studio album in twenty-eight years! But the only freaking place you can get it is as at Walmart. I hate Walmart. I have only been in that shit hole once in my life and it was to buy a cheap pair of reading glasses so I could get through a day at work.

I mean 80% of the crap they sell is from China, and it's poisoned and full of lead. The 20% that isn't, is made by 9 year olds, who work in third world country sweat shops sixteen hours a day for pennies. IMHO Walmart perpetuates slavery. All so WE can have "low, low" prices.

Now the Eagles decide to give an "exclusive" on their new double CD and sell it there for $11.99! I can't go to my struggling, local music guy to get it...NO! if I want it, (and I do) I got to go see the Walmart greeter that has one tooth.

Well my neighbor saved the day. Eileen knowing my aversion to that place risked disease and bad karma, went to Walmart and bought it for me. BTW, it's a damn good CD. Shhh!

CLAUDIA RUSSELL BAND SHOW STOPPERS AT BLACK HAWK

2007-10-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

Our friends Claudia Russell and the Folk Unlimited Orchestra played the Black Hawk Folk Festival this past July. After giving the audience a fantastic show the entire crew came back to our house for a post concert party. We had some neighbors over and enjoyed quite an evening with these wonderful traveling minstrels while on their 2007 Midwest Summer Tour.

They were in part promoting the new CD "Live Band Tonight". If I haven't mentioned it, that album has my new fav Claudia song titled "The Hard Parts Letting Go" Yikes that's a hit waiting to get mainstream air play. Constant sidekick Bruce Kaplan is a mandolin master and along with stand up base guy Mark Petrella and banjo and fiddle fella Dan, the band really had that full dimension of sound. We were treated to a mini rehearsal on the front porch the next morning and it is hopefully going to be the song of the week.

The Downstairs Concert

2007-10-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

My friend Gene Henrikson has been communicating with Billy Faier as part of the Northern Plains Archive (Folk) Project. Now, some readers of this blog may say "Who is Billy Faier?" And that is a fair question if you aren't a 60 year old folk music junkie or a student of the banjo. I will leave it to Gene to write about Billy's unique and special place in traditional American musical history. There is a book on the way.

The short answer is that Billy is a gentle giant in the same league as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger (trust me, not an over statement). I first heard of Billy Faier in the lyrics of a Rambling Jack Elliott song called 912 Greens. It is a kind of talking blues, and in it Jack recounts a trip to New Orleans to look up a "five string banjo player named Billy Faier".

Last week, the same Billy Faier made an improbable trip to the Twin Cities and put on a show for the small audience that had gathered by invitation only. From what Gene described it was as magical as it was historical. I believe him, and regret I couldn't be there.

Now there is a chance that this "bootleg" concert might actually become a semi-commercial CD. Billy graciously allowed the whole thing to be taped, and Gene and the digital munchkins are working hard to produce a demo that hopefully will introduce this master to the generations who have missed the man's artistry. If you what to order any of Billy's CDs you can off his website http://www.billyfaier.com/ in the meantime here's a sneak peak at the artwork of the NPAP demo that is in the works. Some things are just worth saving...

Americana

2007-09-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I had a uniquely John Stewart-esq experience. It was my usual weekly ritual of loading recyclables into the pickup and driving the back roads to the dump.

ALP Ave. is a tree lined road with soy, corn, and potato fields on both sides for the entire 8 mile trek. Equipped with my usual in-truck compliment of John’s CDs, I decided to grab something different before I left the house. I had set “Signals Through the Glass” aside, and ran inside and snatched it up. STTG got a lot of play years ago, and it seemed time again to just to turn it up with the windows rolled down on this “falls a-coming” kind of day.

Most of the crops are in so there was nothing in the way of mechanical noise either from harvesters or other traffic. Then in the middle of “Holly on My Mind” came a deafening roar as 2 gigantic C-130s flew right in front of me above the tree tops! What the hell?! They were fast and low and disappeared as quickly as they had come, leaving me wondering. After the dump I went to the feed mill in Plainfield for scoop your own sack of dog biscuits. I talked a bit (about the weather) with the fellas on the loading dock and asked them if they’d seen the planes.

The guy with only one arm, and the KENT SEED hat said it was a “fly-over” for the celebration of the re-opening of state highway 73 which has been closed for 5 months of reconstruction. 73 is also Main Street in Plainfield, and the closure nearly killed the town. I drove over that way and parked the truck on a side street then walked a path between the post office and “R” Bar buildings into a street festival. There was music, venders, a magician, corn-on-the-curb, and folks watching the volunteer firemen demonstrate the “jaws of life” on an old wrecked Desoto.

There was this guy making furniture and stuff with a chain saw. So I bought a chain saw carved mushroom for $25.00 (a steal). I bought a beer from the lady Lionesses and sat on the curb with my mushroom and drank it all in. It was scene filled with young people with kids, old folks in wheelchairs, migrant workers, and the people of a small town just happy their road was open again.

After a spell I got back into my truck, wiggled back to ALP and turned the CD back on and “Cody sang to me…" I guess you just had to be there.

Meet Wil Maring

2007-08-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

While fishing around You Tube recently I followed a "mandolin" tag to Wil Maring. http://www.wilmaring.com/ I listened to all of her offerings there and loved them all. So I ordered her CDs, and she doesn't disappoint. Wil does a blue grass kinda version of Steve Windwood's "Back In The Highlife" that is a fantastic cover. But her true strength lies in her song writing. Listen to her tune "Bottomlands" on her website.

Potato Salad Picnic

2007-07-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

It is a kinder and gentler me today. I would like to let off steam regarding how outraged I am about Presidente Diablo pardoning one of his crook-cronies, but too much political commentary is bad for one's blood pressure. So I thought I would post about the fifth annual First Potato Salad of Summer Picnic that occurred a couple of weeks ago.

My friends Gene and Angela had a slew of Bloodliners on their back deck for elbow licking good chicken, and of course the signature potato salad. There was an endless supply of Point Beer products as well as Moose Drool, and once the musicians had partaken in the food and beverage the strumming began. Now there were some damn good pickers there playing everything from resonator mandolin to peddle steel. It was hard to keep up with the likes of Fred Grittner (a real pro) and Bill Rost but "it wasn't how good you are, it's how much fun can we have".

This event is a un-official warm up for Kingston Trio Fantasy Camp held in August down in Scottsdale AZ. There were people on the deck from PA., CA., WI., IL., and MN. The highlight however was webcamming in Jan Hauenstein from Germany!

We also recorded the Clancy Brothers version of Nancy Whiskey for Tom DeLisle. By all reports it moved him to attend the festivities in Phoenix. Tom's not in the best of health, Eddy knows. So thanks to all who made the annual trek for that PDG (pretty darn good) potato salad and Annie for taking all the pictures like the one above.