Folk-rooted and folk-branched reviews, commentaries, radio playlists and suggestions from veteran music journalist and broadcaster Mike Regenstreif.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Pete Seeger -- Live in '65
PETE SEEGER
Live in ‘65
Appleseed
peteseegermusic.com
I’ve got dozens and dozens of Pete Seeger CDs and LPs –- and collaborative albums by Pete with other artists –- in my collection, and a lot of them are live recordings. And I wouldn’t even hazard a guess as to how many times I’ve seen him perform over the years. Despite all that exposure, he’s an artist I’ve never grown weary of, so I welcome this never-before-released, 2-CD, concert set recorded in Pittsburgh on February 20, 1965.
Pete was very much in his prime when this concert was recorded. Like others of Pete’s live albums, there are versions of classic standards from his performing repertoire including “Turn! Turn! Turn!” “If I Had a Hammer,” “Guantanamera” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” and “Bells of Rhymney.” Despite the fact that I’ve heard Pete’s various recordings of such songs hundreds, if not thousands, of times, I never tire of hearing them again, and of hearing the individual nuances of a particular performance.
Some of my other favourites in the set include “Peat Bog Soldiers,” a song created by concentration camp prisoners in Germany early in the Nazi regime, and which was sung just a couple of years later by members of the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War; “Los Cuatro Generales,” another Spanish Civil War song; “This Little Light of Mine,” which, of course, features harmonies from everyone in the audience that Saturday night almost 45 years ago (half of Pete’s lifetime to date); and “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” one of the most powerful of Bob Dylan’s early songs.
There are lots of other great songs on the album including “Healing River,” a civil rights-era song written by Fran Minkoff and Pete’s fellow-Weaver Fred Hellerman, which is not on any of the many other Pete Seeger recordings I own.
And, you can tell that this concert was recorded back before the dawn of the Internet age because, at one point, Pete plays the beautiful melody to “I Once Loved a Lass” -– which was used by Richard Fariña for “Birmingham Sunday” -– and asks the audience if anyone knows the words because he can’t get the tune out of his head and can’t find the lyrics. Nowadays, all he’d have to do is Google -- and presto.
The concert recording is just Pete: singing and playing solo on banjo and 12-string guitar. Or, really, as solo as he could be with 2,000 harmony singers.
I’ve come away inspired from every Pete Seeger performance I’ve ever attended – or listened to. This one included.
Pete Seeger's Live in '65 will be released on November 10.
--Mike Regenstreif
This week in Folk Roots/Folk Branches history (October 27-November 2)
Folk Roots/Folk Branches with Mike Regenstreif was a Thursday tradition on CKUT in Montreal for nearly 14 years from February 3, 1994 until August 30, 2007. Folk Roots/Folk Branches continued as occasional features on CKUT and is now also a blog. Here’s the ninth instalment of “This week in Folk Roots/Folk Branches,” a weekly look back continuing through next August at some of the most notable guests, features and moments in Folk Roots/Folk Branches history.
October 27, 1994: Extended feature- Tish Hinojosa.
October 29, 1998: Guest- Vance Gilbert.
October 28, 1999: Guest- Richard Shindell.
November 2, 2000: Guest- Charlie Sohmer.
October 31, 2002: Guest- Corb Lund.
October 27, 2005: Guests- Matapat.
November 2, 2006: Guest- NEeMA.
November 1, 2007 (Folk Roots/Folk Branches feature): Collaborations.
--Mike Regenstreif
October 27, 1994: Extended feature- Tish Hinojosa.
October 29, 1998: Guest- Vance Gilbert.
October 28, 1999: Guest- Richard Shindell.
November 2, 2000: Guest- Charlie Sohmer.
October 31, 2002: Guest- Corb Lund.
October 27, 2005: Guests- Matapat.
November 2, 2006: Guest- NEeMA.
November 1, 2007 (Folk Roots/Folk Branches feature): Collaborations.
--Mike Regenstreif
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Various artists -- Things About Comin' My Way: A tribute to the music of the Mississippi Sheiks
VARIOUS ARTISTS
Things About Comin’ My Way: A tribute to the music of the Mississippi Sheiks
Black Hen
blackhenmusic.com
One of the nice things about being my age is that as a young folkie, I had opportunities to see, in some cases meet, and, in a few cases, even work with, some of the legendary first generation recording artists whose music so influenced everything that came after. One of the artists I got to work with in 1974 as an area co-ordinator (stage manager) at the Mariposa Folk Festival was Sam Chatman, who I believe was about 77 or 78 years old at the time.
Back in the 1920s and ‘30s –- in addition to being a solo blues artist –- Sam often performed and recorded as a member of the Mississippi Sheiks, one of the great African-American string bands. Their biggest hit was “Sitting On Top of the World,” a song that has since become a standard in blues, bluegrass, western swing, folk and even rock repertoires. Sam had one of the most-lined faces I’ve ever seen, but there was so much musical history etched inside each and every one of those lines.
When I met Sam Chatman, he was 35 or 40 years removed from the heyday of the Mississippi Sheiks. And, now, 35 years after that, comes this excellent tribute featuring various artists interpreting 17 of their songs in their own individualistic ways.
I like almost all of these interpretations but some of my favourite tracks include a cool version of “Honey Babe Let the Deal Go Down” by Bruce Cockburn that begins with some great fingerpicking blues patterns and builds into a Preservation Hall-style arrangement highlighted by William Carn’s trombone; Del Rey’s take on “We Are Both Feeling Good Right Now,” featuring her goodtime vocals and her ragtime guitar playing interacting with a choir of three clarinets; an arrangement of “The World is Going Wrong,” by Geoff Muldaur and the Texas Sheiks that recalls Geoff’s days in the Jim Kweskin Jug Band; and a faithful version of “Sitting On Top of the World,” by the Carolina Chocolate Drops, a great trio at the forefront of the revival in African American stringband music.
Other highlights include tracks by Madeleine Peyroux, John Hammond, the Sojourners, Kelly Joe Phelps and producer Steve Dawson.
--Mike Regenstreif
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Joan Baez documentary online
Last week, I watched How Sweet the Sound, an excellent documentary about Joan Baez and her 50-year career on the PBS program American Masters. PBS has the program available for streaming online -– just until December 10 -– at this link. I highly recommend the program which includes lots of performances from over the years and some insightful interviews from Joan and several peers including Bob Dylan.
Pictured: Me and Joan backstage at the Flynn Theatre in Burlington, Vermont in 2004.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Chris Smither -- Time Stands Still
CHRIS SMITHER
Time Stands Still
Signature Sounds
smither.com
Although Chris Smither started his career in the mid-1960s, and released a couple of albums in the early-‘70s, it was his comeback, of sorts, circa 1991, after getting into recovery from alcoholism, that he started to make a series of excellent albums that have cemented his reputation as one of the finest songwriters and interpretive singer-guitarists in contemporary folk and acoustic blues music. Like almost all of his work over the past 18 or so years, Time Stands Still is consistently good in its mix of strong originals and three outstanding covers.
My favourite of Chris’ originals on this set is “Time Stands Still,” the title track. It’s got the classic Smither combination of great lines and great rhymes, fluid, finger-picked guitar rhythms and his patented world-weary, New Orleans drawling singing style.
But as much as I like Chris’ original tunes – and I really do – the two standouts for me on Time Stands Still are his sublime versions of Bob Dylan’s “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” and Frank Hutchison’s “Miner’s Blues.”
Chris has done several superb Dylan covers on earlier albums. Check out his reimagination of “Desolation Row” on Train Home or the beautiful version of “Visions of Johanna” on Leave the Light On. This version of “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry,” I think, goes deeper and more intimately into the blues-well than Dylan’s own original on Highway 61 Revisited. One of these days Chris just has to do a whole album of Dylan songs.
“Miner’s Blues,” which Hutchison, perhaps the first white blues artist to make records, recorded back in the 1920s, is a beautiful compendium of floating blues verses from countless early blues songs.
The album has a consistency in its sound in that each of the tracks features the same three musicians: Chris, with his constantly tapping foot and guitar playing; producer David Goodrich on guitar and/or piano; and creative percussionist Zak Trojano.
--Mike Regenstreif
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Venue change for Canadian Folk Music Awards
The Canadian Folk Music Awards on November 21 were to have taken place at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau. However, due to the ongoing labour dispute at the museum, the awards and reception have been moved to the Dominion-Chalmers United Church at 355 Cooper Street in Ottawa. Call the Ottawa Folklore Centre at 1-800-385-FOLK or 613-730-2887 for tickets.
Pictured: Me and Tom Coxworth, the folk radio host at CKUA in Alberta, presenting an award at the first annual Canadian Folk Music Awards at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in 2005.
--Mike Regenstreif
This week in Folk Roots/Folk Branches history (October 20-26)
Folk Roots/Folk Branches with Mike Regenstreif was a Thursday tradition on CKUT in Montreal for nearly 14 years from February 3, 1994 until August 30, 2007. Folk Roots/Folk Branches continued as occasional features on CKUT and is now also a blog. Here’s the eighth instalment of “This week in Folk Roots/Folk Branches,” a weekly look back continuing through next August at some of the most notable guests, features and moments in Folk Roots/Folk Branches history.
October 20, 1994: Extended feature- Arlo Guthrie.
October 26, 1995: Guest- Bill Garrett.
October 24, 1996: Guest- Steve Fruitman.
October 22, 1998: Guest- John Gorka.
October 21, 1999: Guest- Chuck Brodsky.
October 25, 2001: Guest- Lynn Miles.
October 23, 2003: Guests- Po’ Girl.
October 21, 2004: Guests- Ken Whiteley, Harry Manx.
October 20, 2005: Guests- Brian Blain, Harry Manx.
October 26, 2006: My 700th broadcast on CKUT.
October 25, 2007 (Folk Roots/Folk Branches feature): Songs about this time of year.
October 23, 2008 (Folk Roots/Folk Branches feature): Three Women Sing, Part 2.
--Mike Regenstreif
October 20, 1994: Extended feature- Arlo Guthrie.
October 26, 1995: Guest- Bill Garrett.
October 24, 1996: Guest- Steve Fruitman.
October 22, 1998: Guest- John Gorka.
October 21, 1999: Guest- Chuck Brodsky.
October 25, 2001: Guest- Lynn Miles.
October 23, 2003: Guests- Po’ Girl.
October 21, 2004: Guests- Ken Whiteley, Harry Manx.
October 20, 2005: Guests- Brian Blain, Harry Manx.
October 26, 2006: My 700th broadcast on CKUT.
October 25, 2007 (Folk Roots/Folk Branches feature): Songs about this time of year.
October 23, 2008 (Folk Roots/Folk Branches feature): Three Women Sing, Part 2.
--Mike Regenstreif
Monday, October 19, 2009
Corb Lund -- Losin' Lately Gambler
CORB LUND
Losin’ Lately Gambler
New West
corblund.com
Alberta’s Corb Lund took a bit of a musical detour on his last record – Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier! – a concept album revolving around themes of war and horses. With Losin’ Lately Gambler, Corb is back to his old tricks writing authentically about cowboys and life on the ranches and small prairie towns of Western Canada. Having been a teenaged rodeo champion, and coming from a family that’s ranched in Southern Alberta for more than a century, Corb’s authenticity is in his jeans and in his genes.
Several of these songs are based directly on Corb’s own life. His past as a teenaged rodeo champ is fodder for “Steer Rider’s Blues,” a infectious rockabilly tune about being a 14-year-old rodeo winner who still can’t impress the girls, while “A Game In Town Like This” describes the underground poker scene he used to frequent where the stakes were so high “who would go to Vegas with a game in town like this?”
As a kid in Calgary in the 1950s and ‘60s, I well remember the Chinook winds that could turn a 40 below day into 40 above – it was measured in Fahrenheit back then – in a matter of an hour or two. I liked Chinook winds but Corb has a different take on the winds in “Chinook Wind,” a song that describes the effect the winds can have on ranch men and ranch land.
Among the other highlights on Losin’ Lately Gambler are “Alberta Says Hello,” a lonely kind of song about a hurtin’ Albertan missing a woman back east in Montreal, “Devil’s Best Dress,” a gunfighter ballad that would’ve done Marty Robbins proud, and “Long Gone to Saskatchewan,” a tribute to the province next door that’s kind of in a Stompin’ Tom Connors vein (Corb acknowledges the influences of Stompin’ Tom and Alberta songwriter Tim Hus by dropping their names in the song).
After 11 new songs, Corb ends the album with an infectious live medley of the traditional “Rye Whiskey” and his own barroom party tune, “Time to Switch to Whiskey,” songs he first recorded on his 2003 album, Five Dollar Bill, recorded in front of an enthused Australian crowd.
--Mike Regenstreif
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Maria Muldaur -- Maria Muldaur & her Garden of Joy
MARIA MULDAUR
Maria Muldaur & her Garden of Joy
Stony Plain
mariamuldaur.com
Round about 1970, when I was still in high school and getting into music in a big way, I picked up Greatest Hits, a 2-LP set drawn from the 1960s recordings of Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band. That album hooked me on the Kweskin Band and sent me off in search of other revival-era jug bands and the Depression-era jug bands from Memphis and area that started it all.
Kweskin’s was a great band. Along with Kweskin, some of the other players included jug player extraordinaire Fritz Richmond, banjo legend Bill Keith, acoustic blues great Geoff Muldaur, and the ultra-sexy singer and fiddler Maria D’Amato, who at some point back in the day became Maria Muldaur when she married Geoff. I still listen to the Kweskin albums 40 years later.
In the 40 or so years since leaving the Kweskin Band, Maria did a couple of duo albums with Geoff and then a long list of solo albums that have moved through the realms of pop, jazz and blues. Finally, with Maria Muldaur & her Garden of Joy, she’s come back to a full set of jug band music -– and it’s a terrific, infectiously fun, set.
Many of these tunes date back to the 1930s heyday of jug band music (or even earlier). It truly does feel like being in a garden of joy listening to Maria and a sublime collection of jug-loving musicians romp through old tunes like “Shout You Cats,” and “The Panic is Gone.” One of my favourites is “The Ghost of the St. Louis Blues,” a kind of spooky, Dixieland parody of the W.C. Handy tune first recorded by Emmett Miller (but which, I confess, I first heard by Leon Redbone).
Along with the vintage material, there are a couple of newish Dan Hicks compositions and Hicks himself turns up to duet with Maria in a great medley of a couple of old novelty tunes.
There are lots of great musicians playing on the CD including John Sebastian and David Grisman who, along with Maria, were in the short-lived Even Dozen Jug Band in her pre-Kweskin days. Other players include Taj Mahal, Suzy Thompson and Jim Rothermel. One track, “Sweet Lovin’ Ol’ Soul,” is repeated from Maria’s 2005 album of the same name and features the late Fritz Richmond, Maria’s old Kweskin band mate, on jug.
Great stuff. More, please!
--Mike Regenstreif
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
This week in Folk Roots/Folk Branches history (October 13-19)
Folk Roots/Folk Branches with Mike Regenstreif was a Thursday tradition on CKUT in Montreal for nearly 14 years from February 3, 1994 until August 30, 2007. Folk Roots/Folk Branches continued as occasional features on CKUT and is now also a blog. Here’s the seventh instalment of “This week in Folk Roots/Folk Branches,” a weekly look back continuing through next August at some of the most notable guests, features and moments in Folk Roots/Folk Branches history.
October 13, 1994: Extended feature- Kate & Anna McGarrigle.
October 19, 1995: Guest- Kirk MacGeachy of Orealis.
October 17, 1996: A tribute to the late Colleen Peterson.
October 15, 1998: Guest- Roy Forbes.
October 14, 1999: Guest- Rick Fielding.
October 16, 2003: Guest- Erin McKeown.
October 14, 2004: Guest- Jackie Washington.
October 19. 2006: Guest- Michael Jerome Browne.
October 18, 2007 (Folk Roots/Folk Branches feature): Songs about bus stations and bus rides.
October 16, 2008 (Folk Roots/Folk Branches feature): Three Women Sing, Part 1.
Pictured: The late Jackie Washington and me at Library & Archives Canada in Ottawa on May 8, 2008.
--Mike Regenstreif
Monday, October 12, 2009
James Keelaghan -- House of Cards
JAMES KEELAGHAN
House of Cards
Borealis
keelaghan.com
James Keelaghan, long one of Canada’s finest folksingers and one of Canada’s finest songwriters, is in excellent form on House of Cards, an album dominated by finely-crafted personal songs but which also includes several superb songs that look beyond his own – or his fictionalized own – perspective.
About a year ago, I was chatting with Keelo at the OCFF Conference in Ottawa and he was telling me that he’d just returned from the Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton where he’d been one of several songwriters who spent a week in a house together in an experiment in collaboration. Half of the songs on House of Cards came out of those collaborations, including the opening track, “Safe Home,” co-written with David Francey, a lovely song about being away from home, of missing home, but which recognizes that he’s part of a travelling fraternity which will often be away from home.
Other collaborations include “Next To You,” a pretty love song co-written with Rose Cousins, and “Medusa,” co-written with Karine Polwart, whose title, I assume, is a reference to the Canadian Armed Forces’ Operation Medusa in Afghanistan, but which could be about the uncertainty that accompanies any kind of military operation.
Of Keelo’s solo compositions, my favourite is “McConnville’s,” which he sings from the perspective of a barman in a pub in Northern Ireland telling the story of a tragedy that befell one of his regular patrons. It’s a modern composition with the authenticity of a traditional folksong.
Another highlight is the poignant “Circle of Stone,” about the parting of two people – the songs mentions they’re friends, but it also could also apply to siblings or lovers – as one leaves to follow a journey that the other cannot take.
There’s a mature, relaxed quality to Keelo’s singing throughout the album and his singing and guitar playing receive excellent accompaniment from bassist extraordinaire David Woodhead and mandolinist Hugh McMillan. Several songs have chamber-folk settings featuring lovely string and horn arrangements.
Note: James Keelaghan will be in concert on Thursday, October 15, 8:00 pm, at Club Lambi, 4465 St. Laurent in Montreal as part of the Wintergreen Concert Series. Call Hello Darlin’ Productions at 514-524-9225 for information or tickets.
A James Keelaghan concert always carries my recommendation as an event not to be missed.
--Mike Regenstreif
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Canadian Folk Music Awards nominations announced
The Canadian Folk Music Awards announced the award nominees today. The decisions are now in the hands of the various jury categories and will be announced, November 21, at a gala ceremony at the Canadian Museum of Civilization across from Ottawa in Gatineau, QC.
The nominees are…
Traditional Album of the Year
Colette Cheverie – Hours Before Dawn (Charlottetown PE)
Dave Gossage and the Celtic Mindwarp – Dave Gossage and the Celtic Mindwarp (Montreal)
James Hill & Anne Davison – True Love Don’t Weep (Langley, BC)
Réveillons - Malbrough n'est pas mort (Montreal)
The Haints Old Time Stringband - Shout Monah (Cobble Hill BC / Victoria BC)
Contemporary Album of the Year
Great Lake Swimmers – Lost Channels (Toronto)
Jim Byrnes – My Walking Stick (Vancouver)
Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
Ndidi Onukwulu – The Contradictor (Vancouver)
Romi Mayes – Achin in Yer Bones (Winnipeg)
Children’s Album of the Year
Chris McKhool – FiddleFire! (Toronto)
Kathy Reid-Naiman - Zoom Zoom Cuddle and Croon (Aurora ON)
Maggie G. - Around The House With Maggie G. (Thornhill / Originally from Ottawa)
Tasha Platt - Big Bad Bantam Rooster (Calgary)
The Kerplunks – Walk On (Gabriola Island BC)
Traditional Singer of the Year
Colette Cheverie - Hours Before Dawn (Charlottetown PE)
Dave MacDonald for Lazy Jacks – East Coast Live (Charlottetown, PE)
Ian Bell - My Pious Friends & Drunken Companions (Paris ON)
Monique Jutras - Le Chant de la Mariniere (Longueuil QC)
Peter Wynne for Lazy Jacks – East Coast Live (Charlottetown, PE)
Contemporary Singer of the Year
Jessica Rhaye – Good Things (St. John, NB)
Jim Byrnes – My Walking Stick (Vancouver)
Marianne Girard – Pirate Days (Toronto)
Melissa McClelland – Victoria Day (Toronto)
Suzie Vinnick – Happy Here (Toronto)
Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year
Guy Donis - Paroles d’arbre (Montreal)
Don Alder – Not A Planet (Vancouver)
Joel Fafard - Three Hens Escape Oblivion (Madeira Park BC / originally from Regina)
Karrnnel – Karrnnel (Saskatoon)
Tony McManus – The Maker’s Mark (Elora ON)
Instrumental Group of the Year
De Lònga - À l'abri du temps (Montreal)
La Nef – Déserts (Montreal)
OktoEcho – OktoEcho (Montreal)
The Rakish Angles – The Rakish Angles (Gibsons BC)
Sultans of String – Yalla Yalla! (Toronto)
English Songwriter of the Year
Jon Brooks for Moth Nor Rust (Toronto)
Rob Heath for One More Day Above Ground (Edmonton)
Rob Lutes for Truth & Fiction (Montreal)
Susan Crowe for Greytown (Halifax)
William Hawkins for Various Artists - Dancing Alone: Songs by William Hawkins (Ottawa)
French Songwriter of the Year
Guillaume Monette, Guillaume Meloche-Charlebois & Nicola Morel for 3 Gars su'l sofa - Cerf-Volant (Montreal)
Caracol for L'Abre aux Parfums (Montreal)
Catherine Durand for Coeurs Migratoires (Montreal)
Maryse Letarte for Des Pas Dans la Neige (Montreal)
Paul Cargnello for Bras Coupé (Montreal)
Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year
Buffy Sainte-Marie for Running for the Drum (Qu’Appelle Valley SK)
Don Amero for Deepening (Winnipeg)
Vince Fontaine, Jay Bodner & Chris Burke-Gaffney for Eagle & Hawk – Sirensong (Winnipeg)
Tagaq for Auk/Blood (Cambridge Bay NT)
Violet Naytowhow for Wind of the North (Prince Albert SK)
Vocal Group of the Year
Cantarra – Beautiful Air (Ottawa)
Dala – Everyone is Someone (Toronto)
Madison Violet – No Fool For Trying (Toronto)
Serre L'Écoute - Buveurs Philosophes (Quebec, QC)
The Breakmen – When You Leave Town (Vancouver)
Ensemble of the Year
Annie Lou – Annie Lou (Whitehorse YT)
OktoEcho – OktoEcho (Montreal)
Sultans of String – Yalla Yalla! (Toronto)
The Deep Dark Woods – Winter Hours (Saskatoon)
The Haints Old Time Stringband - Shout Monah (Cobble Hill BC / Victoria BC)
Solo Artist of the Year
Catherine MacLellan – Water in the Ground (Charlottetown PE)
Ian Tyson – Yellowhead to Yellowstone and Other Love Stories (Longview AB)
Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
Maria Dunn – The Peddler (Edmonton AB)
Suzie Vinnick – Happy Here (Toronto)
World Solo Artist of the Year
Florent Vollant - Eku Mamu (Montreal)
George Koufogiannakis - Generations - Greek Oud Jazz (Edmonton)
Karim Saada - La Danse de L'exilé (L’Assomption QC)
Lorraine Klaasen – Africa Calling (Montreal)
Wesli – Kouraj (Montreal)
World Group of the Year
Ensemble Montreal Tango – Enamorada (Montreal)
Jayme Stone & Mansa Sissoko – Africa to Appalachia (Toronto / Quebec QC)
La Nef – Deserts (Montreal)
OktoEcho – OktoEcho (Montreal)
The Huppa Project – Under the Canopy (Toronto)
New/Emerging Artist of the Year
David Baxter - Day & Age (Toronto)
The Good Lovelies – Good Lovelies (Toronto)
Kate Reid – I’m Just Warming Up (Vancouver)
Lynne Hanson – Eleven Months (Ottawa)
The Breakmen – When You Leave Town (Vancouver)
Producer of the Year
Jocelyn Tellier & Catherine Durand for Catherine Durand - Coeurs Migratoires (Montreal)
Mike Roth for Dala – Everyone is Someone (Toronto)
David Travers-Smith for Jayme Stone & Mansa Sissoko – Africa to Appalachia (Toronto)
Jonathan Goldsmith for Jenn Grant – Echos (Toronto area)
Joel Plaskett for Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
Pushing the Boundaries
Doug Cox and Salil Bhatt – Slide to Freedom 2 – Make a Better World (Cumberland, BC)
Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
Steve Dawson – Telescope (Vancouver)
Sultans of String – Yalla Yalla! (Toronto)
Wendy McNeill - A Dreamer’s Guide to Hardcore Living (Edmonton)
Young Performer of the Year
Ariana Gillis – Ariana Gillis (Vineland ON)
Chrissy Crowley – The Departure (Margaree NS)
Fish and Bird – Left Brain Blues (Victoria BC)
Sierra Noble – Possibilities (Winnipeg)
Taylor Mitchell – For Your Consideration (Toronto)
Congratulations to all the nominees.
--Mike Regenstreif
The nominees are…
Traditional Album of the Year
Colette Cheverie – Hours Before Dawn (Charlottetown PE)
Dave Gossage and the Celtic Mindwarp – Dave Gossage and the Celtic Mindwarp (Montreal)
James Hill & Anne Davison – True Love Don’t Weep (Langley, BC)
Réveillons - Malbrough n'est pas mort (Montreal)
The Haints Old Time Stringband - Shout Monah (Cobble Hill BC / Victoria BC)
Contemporary Album of the Year
Great Lake Swimmers – Lost Channels (Toronto)
Jim Byrnes – My Walking Stick (Vancouver)
Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
Ndidi Onukwulu – The Contradictor (Vancouver)
Romi Mayes – Achin in Yer Bones (Winnipeg)
Children’s Album of the Year
Chris McKhool – FiddleFire! (Toronto)
Kathy Reid-Naiman - Zoom Zoom Cuddle and Croon (Aurora ON)
Maggie G. - Around The House With Maggie G. (Thornhill / Originally from Ottawa)
Tasha Platt - Big Bad Bantam Rooster (Calgary)
The Kerplunks – Walk On (Gabriola Island BC)
Traditional Singer of the Year
Colette Cheverie - Hours Before Dawn (Charlottetown PE)
Dave MacDonald for Lazy Jacks – East Coast Live (Charlottetown, PE)
Ian Bell - My Pious Friends & Drunken Companions (Paris ON)
Monique Jutras - Le Chant de la Mariniere (Longueuil QC)
Peter Wynne for Lazy Jacks – East Coast Live (Charlottetown, PE)
Contemporary Singer of the Year
Jessica Rhaye – Good Things (St. John, NB)
Jim Byrnes – My Walking Stick (Vancouver)
Marianne Girard – Pirate Days (Toronto)
Melissa McClelland – Victoria Day (Toronto)
Suzie Vinnick – Happy Here (Toronto)
Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year
Guy Donis - Paroles d’arbre (Montreal)
Don Alder – Not A Planet (Vancouver)
Joel Fafard - Three Hens Escape Oblivion (Madeira Park BC / originally from Regina)
Karrnnel – Karrnnel (Saskatoon)
Tony McManus – The Maker’s Mark (Elora ON)
Instrumental Group of the Year
De Lònga - À l'abri du temps (Montreal)
La Nef – Déserts (Montreal)
OktoEcho – OktoEcho (Montreal)
The Rakish Angles – The Rakish Angles (Gibsons BC)
Sultans of String – Yalla Yalla! (Toronto)
English Songwriter of the Year
Jon Brooks for Moth Nor Rust (Toronto)
Rob Heath for One More Day Above Ground (Edmonton)
Rob Lutes for Truth & Fiction (Montreal)
Susan Crowe for Greytown (Halifax)
William Hawkins for Various Artists - Dancing Alone: Songs by William Hawkins (Ottawa)
French Songwriter of the Year
Guillaume Monette, Guillaume Meloche-Charlebois & Nicola Morel for 3 Gars su'l sofa - Cerf-Volant (Montreal)
Caracol for L'Abre aux Parfums (Montreal)
Catherine Durand for Coeurs Migratoires (Montreal)
Maryse Letarte for Des Pas Dans la Neige (Montreal)
Paul Cargnello for Bras Coupé (Montreal)
Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year
Buffy Sainte-Marie for Running for the Drum (Qu’Appelle Valley SK)
Don Amero for Deepening (Winnipeg)
Vince Fontaine, Jay Bodner & Chris Burke-Gaffney for Eagle & Hawk – Sirensong (Winnipeg)
Tagaq for Auk/Blood (Cambridge Bay NT)
Violet Naytowhow for Wind of the North (Prince Albert SK)
Vocal Group of the Year
Cantarra – Beautiful Air (Ottawa)
Dala – Everyone is Someone (Toronto)
Madison Violet – No Fool For Trying (Toronto)
Serre L'Écoute - Buveurs Philosophes (Quebec, QC)
The Breakmen – When You Leave Town (Vancouver)
Ensemble of the Year
Annie Lou – Annie Lou (Whitehorse YT)
OktoEcho – OktoEcho (Montreal)
Sultans of String – Yalla Yalla! (Toronto)
The Deep Dark Woods – Winter Hours (Saskatoon)
The Haints Old Time Stringband - Shout Monah (Cobble Hill BC / Victoria BC)
Solo Artist of the Year
Catherine MacLellan – Water in the Ground (Charlottetown PE)
Ian Tyson – Yellowhead to Yellowstone and Other Love Stories (Longview AB)
Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
Maria Dunn – The Peddler (Edmonton AB)
Suzie Vinnick – Happy Here (Toronto)
World Solo Artist of the Year
Florent Vollant - Eku Mamu (Montreal)
George Koufogiannakis - Generations - Greek Oud Jazz (Edmonton)
Karim Saada - La Danse de L'exilé (L’Assomption QC)
Lorraine Klaasen – Africa Calling (Montreal)
Wesli – Kouraj (Montreal)
World Group of the Year
Ensemble Montreal Tango – Enamorada (Montreal)
Jayme Stone & Mansa Sissoko – Africa to Appalachia (Toronto / Quebec QC)
La Nef – Deserts (Montreal)
OktoEcho – OktoEcho (Montreal)
The Huppa Project – Under the Canopy (Toronto)
New/Emerging Artist of the Year
David Baxter - Day & Age (Toronto)
The Good Lovelies – Good Lovelies (Toronto)
Kate Reid – I’m Just Warming Up (Vancouver)
Lynne Hanson – Eleven Months (Ottawa)
The Breakmen – When You Leave Town (Vancouver)
Producer of the Year
Jocelyn Tellier & Catherine Durand for Catherine Durand - Coeurs Migratoires (Montreal)
Mike Roth for Dala – Everyone is Someone (Toronto)
David Travers-Smith for Jayme Stone & Mansa Sissoko – Africa to Appalachia (Toronto)
Jonathan Goldsmith for Jenn Grant – Echos (Toronto area)
Joel Plaskett for Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
Pushing the Boundaries
Doug Cox and Salil Bhatt – Slide to Freedom 2 – Make a Better World (Cumberland, BC)
Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
Steve Dawson – Telescope (Vancouver)
Sultans of String – Yalla Yalla! (Toronto)
Wendy McNeill - A Dreamer’s Guide to Hardcore Living (Edmonton)
Young Performer of the Year
Ariana Gillis – Ariana Gillis (Vineland ON)
Chrissy Crowley – The Departure (Margaree NS)
Fish and Bird – Left Brain Blues (Victoria BC)
Sierra Noble – Possibilities (Winnipeg)
Taylor Mitchell – For Your Consideration (Toronto)
Congratulations to all the nominees.
--Mike Regenstreif
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
This week in Folk Roots/Folk Branches history (October 6-12)
Folk Roots/Folk Branches with Mike Regenstreif was a Thursday tradition on CKUT in Montreal for nearly 14 years from February 3, 1994 until August 30, 2007. Folk Roots/Folk Branches continued as occasional features on CKUT and is now also a blog. Here’s the sixth instalment of “This week in Folk Roots/Folk Branches,” a weekly look back continuing through next August at some of the most notable guests, features and moments in Folk Roots/Folk Branches history.
October 6, 1994: Show theme- A retrospective of 21 years of recordings on the Philo label.
October 12, 1995: Show theme- The Greatest Folk Concert Ever – All Live Recordings.
October 8, 1998: Guests- Oscar Lopez; David Essig.
October 7, 1999: Guest- Lucy Kaplansky.
October11, 2001: Guest- Mark Viator of Rue La-La.
October 7, 2004: Guests- Mose Scarlett; Dave Clarke & Ellen Shizgal of Steel Rail.
October 6, 2005: Guests- Susie Arioli & Jordan Officer.
October 12, 2006: Guest- Artie Traum.
October 11, 2007 (Folk Roots/Folk Branches feature): Songs of Paul Siebel.
Pictured: The late Artie Traum and me after his Folk Roots/Folk Branches visit on October 12, 2006.
--Mike Regenstreif