The Wake the Dead concert tonight (06/05) at Phinney Ridge is SOLD OUT!  Thanks to everyone who bought tickets. Unfortunately, we can't fit anyone else in, though if you're desperate to see this concert, try stopping by at intermission (8:30 or 9pm) to see if any seats have opened up.  See you tonight, it's gonna be an amazing concert.

AND: Hearth Music is proud to announce that we will be adding more concerts to our Concert Page, so stay tuned.

AND: Have you heard about the Seattle Folk Festival yet?  That's right, we're startng up the first-ever Seattle Folk Festival in December 2010. Better sign up to our mailing list to keep in the loop.

Whew, the 2010 Northwest Folklife Festival was a rush and we're exhausted from four days at the nation's largest community arts festival! 

To fill in on the blog, our good friend, and author, Zach Hudson, has kindly sent a guest CD Review of one of our favorite recent CDs: a Cajun twin-fiddle release from Linzay Young (of the Red Stick Ramblers) and Joel Savoy (Marc Savoy's son and founder of Grammy-nominated Valcour Records).  

Joel's coming to Seattle with old-school Cajun accordionist Jesse Lege on July 2, so check out our website for that concert.
 

Linzay Young & Joel Savoy
2009, Valcour Records
Review courtesy of Zach Hudson

Innovation and modernization helps keep a musical tradition fresh and alive; no one disputes that, but there are times when even roots music needs to go back to its… er… roots. That’s what Linzay Young and Joel Savoy have done on their new self-titled release. They take Cajun music back not only before drum kits and electric basses, but before the accordion. How’s that for old school? Before the one-row accordion got popular in Cajun music, it was all up to the fiddle, often two of them, and that is what Linzay and Joel have channeled. The French lyrics are sung in the perfectly unpolished voices natural to the music. The tunes are simple, authentic and straight from the heart, and the bayou.

Madame Young

For such a back-to-the-basics album, the thirteen tracks are amazingly diverse. They include twin fiddle, fiddle and guitar, fiddle and voice, and vocal harmony. Fast and slow, in major and minor keys, the tunes are interesting and unique, and seem to cover every mood of traditional Cajun tune I can think of. Each is fresh, but firmly part of a tradition.

The Wedding March

I have nothing against the accordion, but without it, the fiddles and voices are allowed some room to really express the subtlety of Cajun music. Linzay and Joel are both technical geniuses, but their album captures the honest simplicity that makes Cajun music what it is.

Hearth Music Note: Thanks to Zach Hudson for the review and Joel Savoy at Valcour for permission to stream the music. Support Cajun roots music by buying the CD and spreading the word!

Also: check out this cool video of Linzay Young's prodigious cooking talents:

 

Now we know that many of you have already downloaded your schedule for the 2010 Northwest Folklife Festival, highlighted it until you ran out of ink, and are planning to see 500 events in 4 days before ultimately collapsing in a heap on Tuesday.  But for those of you who are a bit overwhelmed by the size of the Festival (800+bands, 25+ stages, 74 acres, countless buskers, crowds of 250,000 people), here's a quick guide to what we're looking forward to this weekend at the Northwest Folklife Festival. 

Friday, May 28

Vintage Jazz Showcase: Center House Theatre, 4:00-6:30pm
This is one of the best venues at Folklife. Comfy seats, intimate performances and dead silence! Wonderful! And this lineup of the very best vintage jazz ensembles in town will have your toes tappin'. We're looking forward to Hot Club Sandwich, who just gave a wonderful concert for the Seattle Folklore Society. The band is red-hot and each member brings a distinct personality to the group. It makes for a great time.

Deja Vu: Hot Club Sandwich (comp. Greg Ruby)

Tractor Tavern Urban Square Dance: Center House Court, 7:00-10:00pm
The Northwest's hot square dance scene has multiple generations of old-time music fans bumping shoulders and spinning around the dance floor. It's exhilarating and exciting and just great to know that the old fiddle tunes are finding new life. We're especially excited about Rabbit Foot. This mostly-grrrl stringband absolutely rips on their instruments, with high-0ctane fiddle/banjo tunes played with surprising ferocity. Great stuff!

Billy in the Lowground: Rabbit Foot (we LOVE this track!)


Gumar & His Magical Midi Band: Mural Amphitheatre, 9:30pm
We don't really know much about Gumar & His Magical Midi Band, but we do know that he throws insane robot raves in town, and hand-makes cardboard instruments for audience members to play along with. Sometimes giving an eccentric band like this a headlining spot on the Mural Amphitheatre can have magical consequences that converge to make a perfect Folklife moment. We're betting this will be the case. Rain or shine.
 

Saturday, May 29

Fiddler's Showcase: Charlotte Martin Theatre, 11:00am-2:00pm
We've always loved the Fiddler's Showcase. Not only does it feature master and elder fiddlers from Washington State, but it's often an excuse to pull a killer fiddler out of a band to showcase their playing. This year, Karen England, the Northwest's powerhouse Cajun fiddler, will kick it off. We're also looking forward to Linda Danielson, who has a large knowledge of Oregon fiddling traditions, Paul Anastasio, who will focus on the fiddling of his mentor, jazz genus Joe Venuti, and our favorite fiddlin' bad boy, Josh Rabie of the Water Tower Bucket Boys. And don't forget to catch them Bucket Boys closing out the sweet New Old Time Showcase, Saturday night from 7-10pm.

Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase: The Water Tower Bucket Boys (Josh Rabie, fiddle)


Armstrong Lawton Katz/The Bobs/Baby Gramps: Fisher Green Stage, 4:00-6:00pm
This isn't a special show, just a sweet lineup that's worth braving the rain. Armstrong Lawton Katz are one of our favorite bands in Seattle. They've got some kind of folkie x-factor to their music. We just love every band these folks have been in and we're happy they're all in the same band now! The Bobs are a well-loved vocal a cappella ensemble with a crazy eclectic repertoire, and Baby Gramps is a Northwest legend. His music is impossible to describe (navel-gazing, foot-stomping, dust-collecting, tuvan throat singing, gutbucket blues?) and he's also the only Folklife performer that we know of who's performed on David Letterman's Late Night show!

Baby Gramps on Letterman!


Tugboat Show: Acoustic Stage (Shaw Room), 7:00-8:30pm
OK, I guess we're a bit biased about this show. Since the people putting together this cool CD of NW Tugboat song asked Dejah Leger to contribute her gorgeous song, Mary D Hume, about the Gold Beach, OR tugboat of the same name. Have a listen here and you can even download a quick mp3!

Mary D Hume: Dejah Leger


Folk-Punk Showcase: Fountain Lawn, 6:30-9:00pm
No matter how much of a hardcore folkie you may be, you've gotta admit that the boys in Blackbird Raum are our best hope for the future of folk music! Playing as an acoustic stringband, they put out more sound and raw power than a fuckin' freight train, and they've been known to stage dive WHILE PLAYING THE ACCORDION! You thought folk music was about earnest lyrics and mellow guitar picking?  Guess again!  This is Woody Guthrie's folk music: brave, dirty, scary and just plain impressive. Music that KILLS FASCISTS! If you prefer the Seeger version of Surrounding Hate and Forcing it to Something or Other..., feel free to move on to another stage. But we'll be there stomping in the mud with the rest of the new folk!

Sunday, May 30
Old-Time Kitchen Party, Northwest Court, 3:00-6:00pm
This show is what Folklife should be all about. Great acoustic roots musicians from around the NW, coming together in duos and trios to really delve into their favorite tunes and songs. Played before an audience of friends, family and connaisseurs, this intimate parlor old-time music will be mighty refreshing. Plus you can't beat the bands! $4 Shoe and Squirrel Butter are featured on Hearth Music's Listening Lounge, The Zygote Brothers marks a return to old-time for uber-mtn-dulcimer interpreter Mark Nelson, the Parlour Hoppers are dreamy and feature Ethan Lawton again, and it's impossible not to fall in love with old-timey duo WB Reid & Bonnie Zahnow.

Didn't He Ramble: $4 Shoe



Celtic Showcase, Northwest Court, 7:00-10:00pm
The Northwest Court returns to it's roots and goes full-tilt Celtic for the rest of the evening.  Our family band, La Famille Leger, will kick it off with rare and lovely Acadian dance party tunes from Eastern Canada, followed by young fiddling phenom Jocelyn Pettit.  Hearth Music artist Colleen Raney debuts at Folklife (how can this be? she's probably the best Irish singer on the West Coast and frickin' Hanz Araki is in her band!).  Gaelica closes the evening with a mighty agreeable blend of Celtic traditional tunes and songs.

Monday, May 31

Forget what everyone says, Mondays at Folklife are the BEST! Usually, the sun is out all day, the crowds have died down, and everyone's so tired that they've reached a kind of zen levitation to their music that you usually only find at the end of all-night jam sessions. 

Family Band Showcase, Fisher Green, 11:00am-2:00pm
Treat yourself to an wonderfully positive perspective on folk and traditional music today. These families make music the old-fashioned way for the sheer fun of playing music with those you love. Warning: this show might get a little weepy! Bring a hanky and a blanky and lay out on the grass (in the sun, right?).

Chill Out Show, Folklife Cafe, 5:30-8:00pm
As we all know, Monday at Folklife means tired feet. And tired body. And tired everything. This show was scheduled with you in mind. Kick your feet back and gently drift off to beautiful music. Our own Dejah Leger kicks it off with her unique and gorgeous versions of traditional lullabies.

Reggae legend Clinton Fearon

Roots Reggae Party, Mural Amphitheatre, 6:00-9:00pm
We've always said that Clinton Fearon's closing set in the Monday night Reggae show is the PERFECT way to end out the Festival. An old-school musician from back in 1970s Jamaica, Clinton's positive and uplifting lyrics, great stage presence, and fun fun beats always hit the spot for us at the end of a long, intense Festival. Clinton's music bring out the best in Folklife and in the Folklife crowds.
 

Clinton Fearon @ Folklife

So there's our totally biased guide to the 2010 Northwest Folklife Festival. Of course, the best part of Folklfe is wandering around and making your own discoveries, so use this guide for inspiration only and be sure to find your own Folklife Festival!

And for some other guides:
The Stranger's "Guide" To Folklife
Victory Music Review's Guide to Folklife





 

Today's theme is ALL-FOLKLIFE!  That's right, everyone we're playing on the show will be performing at the 2010 Northwest Folklife Festival this weekend, May 28-31.  Check out these hot bands and get geared up for Folklife, the largest community arts festival in the nation. And remember, if you decide to drive for hours to go to the Sasquatch Festival instead of Folklife, the oil spills win!

[Song Title/Artist]

Old Man of the Sea: Baby Gramps
     Saturday - 05/29
     Fisher Green Stage 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM
John Kanaka: North By West
     Saturday - 05/29
     Northwest Court Stage 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM
     Part of " Maritime Showcase " - 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Mary D Hume: Dejah Leger (click to download)
     Saturday - 05/29
     Acoustic Stage (Shaw Room) 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM
     Part of " Tugboat Show " - 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Sand Mountain Blues: Cliff Perry & Laurel Bliss
      Saturday - 05/29
      Bagley Wright Theatre 07:00 PM - 07:40 PM
      Part of " Bluegrass: Hot Pickin’ and Harmonies " - 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Cumberland Gap: Roy Caudill & Henry Vanoy
      From Phil & Vivian Williams' research on Washington Fiddle
      Sunday - 05/30
      Roadhouse 02:40 PM - 03:10 PM
      Part of " WA Fiddle & Dance Showcase " - 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Billy in the Low Ground: Rabbit Foot
     Friday - 05/28
     Center House Court 08:00 PM - 08:50 PM
     Part of " Tractor Tavern Urban Square Dance " - 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Roll Onto the Floor: Water Tower Bucket Boys
     Saturday - 05/29
     Northwest Court Stage 09:20 PM - 10:00 PM
     Part of " Raisin' A Ruckus: New Old-Time Bands " - 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Chitlin' Cookin' Time in Cheatham County: WB Reid & Bonnie Zahnow
     Sunday - 05/30
     Northwest Court Stage 04:55 PM - 05:25 PM
     Part of " Old-Time Kitchen Party " - 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Yew Piney Mountains/Kaw River: Karen England
     Saturday - 05/29
     Charlotte Martin Theatre 11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
     Part of " Fiddlers Showcase " - 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Walk Along John To Kansas: The Tallboys
      Friday - 05/28
       Center House Court 09:00 PM - 09:50 PM
       Part of " Tractor Tavern Urban Square Dance " - 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Reel des Deshotels: Sacalait
      Saturday - 05/29
       Roadhouse 02:00 PM - 02:50 PM
      Part of " Louisiana Roadhouse " - 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM
I Can't Believe You're In Love With Me: Hot Club Sandwich
      Friday - 05/28
      Center House Theatre 06:00 PM - 06:30 PM
      Part of " Vintage Jazz " - 04:00 PM - 06:30 PM
I Don't Mind: Cort Armstrong
      Sunday - 05/30
      Alki Court Stage 06:30 PM - 07:00 PM
How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live*: RedDog
      Sunday - 05/30
      Folklife Cafe 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Hello Stranger*: Armstrong Lawton Katz
      Saturday - 05/29
      Fisher Green Stage 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Didn't He Ramble: $4 Shoe
      Sunday - 05/30
      Northwest Court Stage 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM
      Part of " Old-Time Kitchen Party " - 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Muddy Creek: Squirrel Butter
      Sunday - 05/30
      Northwest Court Stage 03:35 PM - 04:05 PM
     Part of " Old-Time Kitchen Party " - 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Louis Collins: RedDog
     See Above
Limerick/The Butler's/Sophie's: Hanz Araki (playing w/Colleen Raney)
The Barring of the Door: Colleen Raney
Fair Margaret & Sweet William: Colleen Raney
     Sunday - 05/30
     Northwest Court Stage 08:30 PM - 09:05 PM
     Part of " Celtic Showcase " - 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Celina: George Penk/Clyde Curley/Susan Songer (The Portland Conglomeration)
     Monday - 05/31
     Roadhouse 07:00 PM - 07:50 PM
     Part of " Raging Contra Closeout " - 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Moccasin Shuffle/Louis Cyr: La Famille Léger
     Sunday - 05/30
     Northwest Court Stage 07:00 PM - 07:35 PM
     Part of " Celtic Showcase " - 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Miller of Drone: The McKassons
     Sunday - 05/30
     Fountain Lawn Stage 01:40 PM - 02:10 PM
Crock of Gold/Palmer's Gate/Bridgewater Corners: Hanz Araki
     See Above
Det Var en Lørdag Aften: Morten Alfred Høirup (playing w/Ruthie Dornfeld)
     Monday - 05/31
     Fisher Green Stage 04:50 PM - 05:20 PM
Gånglå Från Ore Efter Timas Hans: Nils Olof Soderback
      Whoops, I guess he's not playing this year. But he's pretty amazing anyway!
The Wind (Dead Soldiers)*: Amateur Radio Operator
     Saturday - 05/29
     Vera Stage 05:20 PM - 05:50 PM
     Part of " Indie Rock with Roots " - 04:00 PM - 07:30 PM
Get Ready: The Gladiators
Livin' Is An Art: Clinton Fearon
     Clinton was a member of 1970s Jamaican group, The Gladiators
     Monday - 05/31
     Mural Amphitheatre 08:15 PM - 08:50 PM
    Part of " Roots Reggae Party " - 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Great Day: Pastor Pat Wright & Thione Diop
     Total Experience Gospel Choir:
         Monday - 05/31
         Mural Amphitheatre 01:20 PM - 02:00 PM
         Part of " Gospel Showcase " - 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
     Thione Diop:
          Saturday - 05/29
         Mural Amphitheatre 06:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Brake Drum: Pufferfish
     Saturday - 05/29
     Vera Stage 04:40 PM - 05:10 PM
     Part of " Indie Rock with Roots " - 04:00 PM - 07:30 PM
Dutty Gun: Clinton Fearon
     See Above
Hot Coals: Orkestar Zirkonium
     Friday - 05/28
     Fountain Lawn Stage 07:50 PM - 08:20 PM
     Part of " Balkan Bash " - 06:30 PM - 09:00 PM

ALSO: Be sure to grab a copy of Folklife's newest CD on their NW Roots & Branches label: Live from the 2009 Northwest Folklife Festival. Any track in this playlist w/an asterix next to the name is from this CD.

Just wanted to share an excellent article and interview with Bob Hallett, the accordionist and multi-instrumentalist with Newfoundland's folk-rock mega-band Great Big Sea. In the article by Chris Gray, Bob conveys the gritty reality of maritime life in Newfoundland that gave rise to such interesting traditional music.

HoustonPress.com:
Inquiring Minds: Great Big Sea's Bob Hallett On The Violent Ocean, Sea Chanteys, Celtic Traditions And Newfoundland's Punk Scene
 

Great Big Sea will be playing Portland's Oregon Zoo on July 28 and Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo on July 29.

Just stumbled on a couple cool things we wanted to share. Mainly, that Ed Helms, Andy from The Office and Stu from The Hangover, has been guesting with Old Crow Medicine Show on banjo at some of their 2010 gigs!!

Sadly, no one's got a great full video of this yet, but here's some proof:

Ed Helms & O.C.M.S. at 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Yep, that's Andy, right next to fiddlin' Ketch Secor onstage.  Need more proof? Here's a shorter video that really shows it:
 
 

You can read about Ed Helms' guest appearance here.  And he's evidently starting to play out more, as this article talks about.  Why's this important, some of you non-Office lovers might ask? Because Ed Helms has boldly snatched the comedy banjo torch (among other things) from Steve Martin's legendary fingers, as this clip from the Office clearly shows:

And speaking of the great banjo-man Steve Martin, check out this sweet video of his brand-new bluegrass tribute to King Tut!

Steve Martin @ 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival