Click the URL below to listen to Episode 5. (January 2008)
http://michiganfolklive.podcastpeople.com/posts/18125
Hi. I'm Steven Johnson from Michigan Folk Live. I'd like to welcome you to another MichiganFolkLive podcast. This is a series of podcasts presented by Michigan Folk Live, features both National touring acts and local Michigan Artists. With this podcast we are going focus primarily on artists who are touring Michigan in January 2008.
Ember Swift
Ontario born singer-songwriter and political activist Ember Swift has been burning quite a path through the music world, from China, to Australia, to the US and back to her native Canada. She is winning converts wherever she appears with her high energy live show. Ember attempts to spearhead an open and honest dialogue about today’s issues with her mix of art and activism.
Thursday Jan 24 2008 9:00P Mickey Finn’s Pub Toledo, Ohio
Tuesday Jan 29 2008 8:00P The Ark Ann Arbor, Michigan
Here she is from her newest CD with a song called Ten Pin.
Billy Brandt
Here is Detroit Artist Billy Brandt with a song from his new CD “The Mission Band”. Billy’s new CD has just been submitted Detroit Music Award in the Best New Acoustic/Folk Recording category.
Jan 19 2008 8:00P Marios of Troy Troy
Jan 22. 29 2008 8:00P South Lyon Hotel South Lyon, Michigan
Jan 24, 30 2008 8:00P Oak City Grille Royal Oak
Jan 27 2008 8:30P Memphis Smoke Royal Oak, Michigan
Move On Down the Line – The Mission Band
Click on the Picture below to go to Billy's Paypal and order his CD.
Steppin' In It
This Lansing based four-some plays their own brand of roots by combining old-time country, swing and blues. The band, Steppin’ In It, consist of Andy and Joe Wilson, Josh Davis, Dominic Suchyta and they are currently in the studio polishing up a new release planned for this spring.
Here they are, performing their magic on an old traditional tune. “The Butcher’s Girl”.
Jan 27 2008 8:00P Carrick House Concert Clarkston
Feb 8, 9th 2008 10:00P The Loading Dock Traverse City
Jill Jack
Here is one of Michigan’s most recognizable and prolific performers, Jill Jack.
The Detroit Music Industry has recognized her talent with 18 Detroit Music Awards.
Jan 26th - Sat 8:00 PM Hill Auditorium - Ann Arbor Folk Festival
Feb 1st - Fri 7:30 PM Black Crystal Cafe
Feb 8th - Fri 10:00 PM Memphis Smoke
Feb 9th - Sat 7:30 PM CELTIC KETTLE - HARTLAND MUSIC HALL
Here she is performing From one of her early CD’s “Watch Over Me” a song titled “Don’t Bring Me Down”
Malinky
The Scottish-Folk Group Malinky is know for their talented instrumentation, strong original compositions and spirited takes on traditional tunes. Here they are performing an old traditional tune “The Bonnie Banks O’ Fordie”.
You have only one scheduled opportunity to catch this group in Michigan this month and that will be:
Thursday, January 17, 2008 The Ark Ann Arbor, MI 8:00 PM
http://www.malinky.com/
http://www.myspace.com/malinkymusic
Click Here to view a collection of Malinky Cds and other great Scots music.
Stephen Fearing
In his two plus decades in the music business Stephen Fearing has produced 8 solo albums, a west coast music award, five Juno award nominations as a solo artist and a world-wide fan base. Here he is performing “Johnny’s Lament” from his most recent release “Yellow Jacket”.
Wailin' Jennys
The name is kind of a misnomer because the sweet harmonious singing from this trio features no wailing and there is not a Jenny among them. They are Canadian Ruth Moody, and Canadian Nicky Mehta who were recently joined by new recruit, New Yorker Heather Masse. They are the Wailin’ Jennys, whose debut album. “Forty days” earned them a Juno award, and their new album “Firecracker” is earning rave reviews.
Here they are performing “Long Time Traveler” from their new release “Firecracker”.
Josh White Jr.
Josh White Jr. is son of legendary Folk Singer and Actor Josh White. Josh White introduced America to Negro Folk, Blues and Gospel music in the formative years of folk music in the 30’s and 40s. Josh White obviously has big shoes to fill and fills them admirably. I recently saw Josh White Jr. in concert and can attest that he also has the powerful stage presence that has been credited to his dad. Josh White Jr. is currently touring Scotland in January. When he returns you can find him:
February 2 - New Vic Theatre, Kalamazoo, MI, 8:30 p.m.
February 8 - Trinity House Theatre, Livonia, MI, 8:00 p.m.
February 23 - Off-the-Wall Acoustic Coffeehouse, Walled Lake, MI, 8:00 p.m.
Here is Josh White Jr. performing Streets of London – Delicate Balance
Misty Lyn and The Big Beautiful
Misty Lyn is a Ann Arbor Singer-Songwriter currently touring with her band “The Big Beautiful” . She is working on a new record titled ‘For The Dead” with famed producer Jim Roll that should be released any day now.
Saturday, Jan 19 2008 8:00P Elbow Room Ypsilanti, Michigan
Here she is performing a song that should be on that new CD “MPLS II”
Cheryl Wheeler
Maybe it’s because she is of a certain side of Fifty as I am. But Cheryl Wheeler just writes songs that resonate with me. Her performances are funny but also filled with beautiful songs, on life, partnerships, aging, children, and pets that have the run of the house.
Here she is performing “Seventy Five Septembers” a live version from “The Women of Kerrville” release.
The Ragbirds
The Ragbirds are a Ypsilanti group who use many traditional folk instruments including violin, guitar, mandolin, banjo, accordion, and harmonica. But this folky root band also combines Afro-Cuban, rock, hip-hop or reggae style rhythms in their song offerings.
Their influence are sometimes Celtic in style, sometimes Gypsy, Latin, or African, and there is an improvisational element to the songs that keeps them fresh.
Here is the Ragbirds performing Tarantellea
Thu 01/24/08 The *New* Founders Brewery 10pm $6
235 Grandville Ave SW Grand Rapids MI 49503
Fri 01/25 and Sat 01/26 Union Street Station 10pm $5
117 South Union St. Traverse City, MI 49684 231 941-1930
Wed 02/06/08 and Thurs 02/07 Upfront and Company 10pm
$5 102 E. Main St. Marquette, MI 49855 (906) 228-5200
Here is the Ragbirds performing Tarantella.
Thomas Faser
This next song comes with quite a story. Thomas Fraser was a Scottish Fisherman who was born and lived on the remote Shetland Island, Burra, off the coast of Scotland. As a boy he taught himself to play the fiddle and later the guitar, mandolin, banjo and piano. As a young man he was greatly influenced by the Country and Blues he heard on Armed Forces Radio. Thomas was a very shy performer who played one of his first public performances, his sister’s wedding, by playing the fiddle from the safety of a closet.
Soon though Thomas overcame his initial shyness and whenever Thomas would perform at a public gathering word would spread from house to house until a large crowd formed.
This story might have died with Thomas, who passed away prematurely in 1970 at the age of 50, from the effects of a fishing accident. But in 1953, soon after the remote Scottish Island where he lived received electricity, Thomas bought a reel to reel tape recorder. He began taping the Country, Blues, Jazz and traditional standards he loved, at home, in his kitchen. Eventually he had 1000’s of recordings of which 600 survived to be discovered by his Grandson Karl Simpson. It was Karl Simpson who first heard these recordings and realized the musical legacy they contained and had them lovingly remastered. Now since 2002, the Fraser family has hosted a Thomas Fraser tribute concert on his native island of Burra that draws performers and visitors from all over the world. It is with the permission of Karl Simpson that I bring you today, Thomas Fraser performing “Mississippi River Blues” From his kitchen in the Shetland Islands.
Darol Anger _ Closing Song
This visionary instrumentalist calls himself a “Peripatetic Freestyle Fiddler and Legendary Weirdo". What he is, is a fiddle savant. Here to end today’s podcast is Darol Anger performing his magic on a traditional folk tune “Wayfaring Stranger”
Thank you to all the talented Artists who particpated in our podcast!
We are not worthy!!
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