CD Review: Stranniki's 'Light Moon'

Stranniki
Light Moon
Sketis Music

Stranniki is a Russian folk group that resurrects Slavic folklore songs by utilizing an array of folk music instruments and ancient melodies. The vocals are often arranged like chants with several singers singing at once in a choral fashion. The result is a sound akin to Finland's Varttina. The instruments are performed in a very artistic manner by paying close attention to historic styles and folk arrangements. Besides vocals, there is a gusli, okarina, jaleika, whistle, bansuri, bawu, kalyuka, quena, kaval, gajde, guitar, bass, drums, and assorted percussion. The contemporary instruments are a great companion to the traditional instruments. Each tune is fresh and inventive. There are only forty-two minutes of music on the album, but it is never boring. Fans of folk music, Slavic and Russian vocal music, traditional instruments, and contemporary Russian music will love the history presented by Stranniki. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Nazaket Teymurova's 'Mugham'

Nazaket Teymurova
Mugham
Felmay

The traditional music of Azerbaijan has been a popular Caucasus mainstay throughout Central Asia and around the world. Mugham is form of classical poetry and improvisational musical arrangements following an Iranian-Arabic-Turkish melody continuum, or maqam. In this case, Nazaket brings us four long compositions in the mugham style: (1) Dastgah Kharidj Segah, (2) Mugham Bayati Shira, (3) Tasnif and Chahargah, and (4) Ashiqam and Mugham Hijaz. The music is traditional overall and features the great vocal style of Nazaket Teymurova, but she is accompanied by various musicians on tar, kamancha, balaban, naqara, drone naqara, qosha naqara, kanun, and oud. The first song is the longest at nearly thirty-eight-minutes. Fans of Arabic maqam, mugham, Central Asian music, and Azeri music will definitely love Nazaket's album. Liner notes are in English, French, and Azeri. ~ Matthew Forss  

This Land is Your Land: Woody at 100 (Arlo Guthrie and Friends)

This Land is Your Land: Woody at 100 (Arlo Guthrie and Friends), a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

For me, one of the biggest treats of the 2012 Edmonton Folk Music Festival was the chance to see Arlo Guthrie live.

"This Land if Your Land" was one of the best workshops I have ever attended at the EFMF. In honour of what would have been folk music icon Woody Guthrie's 100th birthday, his son Arlo and a host of fellow musicians and family members took to the stage to perform classic Woody songs (and a few Arlo ones too!).

Hearing Jerry Gray (The Travellers) perform the Canadian version of "This Land Is Your Land" was a real treat. Many do not know there is another version of that famous song, but my generation grew up learning it in school. Seeing Arlo join in was awesome - truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Most of Arlo's classic songs came later on in the evening during his set on the main stage with his family. However, the Guthrie legacy of father and son will forever be entwined. This workshop breathed new life into the songs of Woody Guthrie. I can't think of a better way to celebrate his 100th birthday.

CD Review: Jon Anders Halvorsen's 'Komme No Heim'

Jon Anders Halvorsen
Komme No Heim
Etnisk Musikklubb

The Oslo-based folk singer and doctor, Jon Anders Halvorsen, brings us twenty-eight songs in the folk traditions of Norway. There are a mix of instrumental gems, several vocal and instrumental tunes, and a few solo vocal songs. All sung in Norwegian, the music is rich with various string instruments that are pleasant backdrops to the vocal displays of supreme musicianship. The serene vocals and light instrumentation is not too harsh or unnecessary. The sheer volume of songs represents a good cross-section of folk music in Jon's repertoire. The strings and plucked instruments are folksy and not modernized. Fans of Norwegian music should check it out, but fans of Scandinavian folk music in general will love the instrumental and vocal medleys on Komme No Heim. ~ Matthew Forss

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings - EFMF 2011

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings - EFMF 2011, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I still listen to the album Strays, the debut from a then-unknown eastern Canadian rock band called Junkhouse. The lead singer was Tom Wilson, a large, shaggy man with a voice that can go so deep, it almost sounds like a low-tuned bass guitar.

Life post-Junkhouse has been busy for Wilson. Amongst other musical projects, he has been one-third of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, considered a supergroup of Canadian singer/songwriters and guitarists. Besides Wilson, the trio includes Colin Linden and Stephen Fearing.

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings were the Sunday afternoon main stage act at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Their very energetic blend of rock, roots, and blues was exciting - and loud. The group played a number of original songs, as well as covers from blues and rock legends. Their excellent musicianship both instrumentally and vocally, as well as their command of the stage, made Blackie and the Rodeo Kings one of the highlights of the weekend. ~Paula E. Kirman

Tim Robbins - EFMF 2011

Tim Robbins, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

When I heard that Tim Robbins was now a touring musician, I had that same cynical thought I would get every time I heard about a famous actor embarking on a music career. A good actor does not a good musician make. Now, Tim Robbins is not just a good actor - he is an excellent one. As a musician, he is surprisingly solid. He has a musky voice that is also melodic in an untrained sort of way. He certainly got the crowd moving with Pete Seeger's "Well May The World Go," and he kept the momentum up with his solo concert and sessions. I was honestly (and pleasantly) surprised by his musical prowess and I apologize for any cynical thoughts I may have had before. Robbins (and his Rogues Gallery band, featuring his brother on guitar) gained a lot of musical cred during the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. ~Paula E. Kirman

Guy Clark - EFMF 2011

Guy Clark - EFMF 2011, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Guy Clark is another performer I discovered by watching American Music Shop (see my previous post about Nanci Griffith). He is also from Texas and a singer/songwriter known for releasing albums of his own work, as well as writing songs covered by other artists. Clark is also a luthier who makes many of his own instruments.

Performing on Saturday afternoon at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Clark was accompanied by long-time musical friend Vernon Thompson. His voice was rough from smoking and dust - he explained that he had just performed in a cattle field - but there was also a delicateness to his touch.

World weary, but obviously loving what he does, Clark is a living legend of country/folk songwriters. ~Paula E. Kirman

Nanci Griffith - EFMF 2011

Nanci Griffith - EFMF 2011, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

When I was a student in university, I used to watch a program on a cable station called American Music Shop. It was on that show that I discovered Nanci Griffith. A singer/songwriter from Texas, her voice was sweet and her words profound.

Griffith writes about life, love, and social issues. Her delivery is sincere, with a dash of humour. Her Sunday afternoon concert at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival had an audience of dedicated fans and those new to her work. She introduced all of her songs thoroughly, creating a very intimate atmosphere despite the large crowd, as everyone got to know a little bit about the woman behind the songs: her late mother, her love of the soap All My Children, her passion for human rights. Despite having a cold ("That's what I get for going to Calgary," she joked) her voice was as crisp as the cool breeze circulating between the stages.

I recognized many of her songs within the first few bars (as did others, judging by the applause) and listening to them live brought me back to those more carefree days while gaining a deeper appreciation for Griffith's vast talent.

Seeing Nanci Griffith live was like meeting an old friend after many years - things have changed, yet that familiar bond is still there. ~Paula E. Kirman

James Keelaghan - EFMF 2011

James Keelaghan - EFMF 2011, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

James Keelaghan has a voice that draws you in and then will not let go until he has finished the story in his song. Keelaghan is originally form Calgary but now lives in Eastern Canada. Although not a household name, he has been touring and releasing albums for years. His lyrics often deal with different aspects of history, both Canadian and beyond (such as "Cold Missouri Waters" which is about the Mann Gulch fire in 1949).

Keelaghan performed to enthusiastic audiences throughout the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, giving a full concert on the Friday evening and hosting several workshops during the weekend. This was my first time seeing him live, although I have been a fan for years. His voice sounds as absolutely crisp and perfect live as it does in his recordings.

Someone on Twitter commented that Keelaghan should be considered a national treasure. I could not agree more. ~Paula E. Kirman

Edmonton Folk Music Festival 2011

Edmonton Folk Music Festival 2011, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I attended the Edmonton Folk Music Festival this past weekend. The hills were alive with the sound of music once again, and thousands of people were there to take part. I will be blogging about some of the specific shows and artists over the next few days - stay tuned! ~Paula E. Kirman

CD Review: Melanie Guay's 'Palais D'Helium'

Melanie Guay

Palais D'Helium

Passport

The Quebec-based Melanie Guay is a singer of sweet, melodic French-lyric songs. The lilting tunes are evocative of many French singers that came before her, including Patricia Kaas, Francoise Hardy, and Carla Bruni. A more modern-focused folk and pop set of songs makes Palais D'Helium (Palace of Helium) float high above her nearest competition. The catchy "De Quoi Je Suis Faite," the laid-back "Les Promesses" and "Palais D'Helium," the breathy "Pepite D'Ame," and the crystalline opener "Les Grandes Esperances" showcase her vocal talents in slightly different settings. The sweet vocals and modern arrangements propel Melanie into another realm of talent previously unattained by similar artists. All of the music is created with synths, piano, bass, guitars, clarinet, violin, percussion, and beatbox. Palais D'Helium is a lyrical playground of musical fun that is sure to enthrall all who love Quebecoise music or French pop music. The music rising to the occasion with every note and, as an added bonus, the cover photo is particularly eye-catching, too. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Parker Ainsworth 'Parker Loves You'

Parker Ainsworth

Parker Loves You

Self-Released

The classic folk crooner and SoCal resident, Parker Ainsworth, is a guitarist with a big heart and a big soul. The guitar, percussion, and piano, is more folk-based than blues on this five-song release. From the opening "Awake" to the final "Higher Up," it doesn't take long to draw vocal comparisons to the UK's David Gray and Australia's Xavier Rudd with the instrumental folk sensibilities of the earlier work of Shawn Colvin and the jazz-tinged pop of Sara Bareilles. "We Just Forgot" is an emotive ballad with smart lyrics and a sparkling piano melody with an equally entrancing rhythm. Parker Loves You is poignantly, albeit appropriately titled, because it is an infectious and golden album of intelligent folk tunes without reliance on today's electronic accompaniments, dance beats, or redundant hip hop beats. Furthermore, every song on this album is radio-friendly. Parker knows how to compose memorable songs that might resemble anything by Shawn Colvin, Xavier Rudd, David Gray, and other similar artists. Buy it today. Parker will love you for it! ~ Matthew Forss

Genticorum - A Taste of French Tradition

Genticorum - EFMF 2010
Originally uploaded by raise my voice

Anyone who knows me or is an avid reader of Inside World Music knows about my love affair with French music. Although I had never heard of Genticorum before, I was excited to see a contemporary trio performing traditional French music at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. With flute, fiddle, and foot-stomping, the musicians led the audience through a musical history lesson. The name Genticorum is actually Latin for "Of the National Men." All three of the musicians have academic backgrounds in music, and if guitarist Yann Falquet looked familiar to an Edmonton audience, there was good reason: he used to play here in town with The McDades. ~ Paula E. Kirman

Te Vaka - Music of the South Pacific

Te Vaka - Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Originally uploaded by raise my voice

We've covered Te Vaka's music over the years here at Inside World Music, so it was thrill to finally see the band live in action. Te Vaka is heavily influenced by the sounds of the South Pacific, incorporating log drums (and other percussion instruments) and Polynesian languages. The group's songs are socially conscious, often dealing with themes of social justice and the environment. Now based in Australia after relocating from New Zealand, Te Vaka has a very exciting stage show that features traditional dance. Strong melodies combined with choreography and excellent musicianship makes Te Vaka world class in the world music scene. If you ever have a chance to check out Te Vaka, by all means go for it - and definitely get a hold of some of their music (their latest release, from 2009, is called Haoloto). Check out our full photo set from Te Vaka's Sunday afternoon main stage performance at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival here. ~ Paula E. Kirman

Alejandro Escovedo - Roots Rock with Heart

Alejandro Escovedo - EFMF 2010
Originally uploaded by raise my voice

Alejandro Escovedo is a legend to those in the know. Texas-born but later transplanted to California, Escovedo's music is high-energy with influences ranging from American rock to Latin jazz. His set at the 2010 Edmonton Folk Music Festival sounded pretty rocking to me, and included song about life, love, and even a few covers like "Beast of Burden." His band, the Sensitive Boys, were extremely tight, and guitar-heavy. At the same time, Escovedo's Mexican roots came through in his music many times, as his voice resonated with passion. I was not that familiar with Escovedo's music before the EFMF but he was definitely my "discovery" of the weekend and I am going to make an effort to look him up and get to know his music better. To check out my full photo set from his performance, click here. ~ Paula E. Kirman

Zachary Richard - Sounds of Louisiana

Zachary Richard - Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Originally uploaded by raise my voice

Zachary Richard is many things: an environmentalist, poet, advocate for culture, children's author, and more. What I know him best as, is a singer/songwriter from Louisiana who teaches about his history and culture through his music. Richard is from Louisiana and his style encompasses Zydeco, Cajun, as well as straight-ahead folk. Well known in the French speaking world, Richard is very much into the preservation of Cajun culture and the use of the French language in Louisiana. However, he sings in English and presented songs in both languages during his concert at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival.

Most of the audience was not familiar with Richard and his music. Only a few of us started to cheer when he launched into "Au Bord du Lac Bijou," one of his best-known French songs. However, applause from the majority came at the wrong moment during the song, when he pauses before resuming the final verse and chorus, resulting in his use of hand signals. It reminded me of people unfamiliar with classical music clapping in between movements.

Whether they knew him or not, Richard had people clapping and moving, especially during his final number. He has an incredibly smooth voice that sounds great in any language. I certainly hope people who have now been exposed to his music for the first time will do their research and discover all the music that this incredible artist has to offer.

For more photos of Zachary Richard at the EFMF, click here. ~ Paula E. Kirman

Melanie - Laying It All Down

Melanie at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Originally uploaded by raise my voice

I had a religious experience on Saturday afternoon. "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" is one of my favourite songs, so when I found out that Melanie was coming to the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, I was very excited. Melanie Safka was pretty much an unknown when she performed at Woodstock 41 years ago, where that song was inspired - a song which has become an anthem of peace. She continues to tour, often including her three children (two singing daughters and a guitar-playing son) in her band. Melanie is someone who I aspire to be like decades from now - still singing songs of peace and spreading love.

In the second workshop that Melanie took part in on Saturday, Naomi Shelton led the audience in an energetic rendition of "Oh Happy Day." Melanie was up next and was reminded how she got the Edwin Hawkins Singers to sing with her on "Candles in the Rain." She launched into the song, to cheers and tears of the crowd. She combined the song with a short version of "Give Peace a Chance" and a rap on a similar theme. It was epic.

My full photo set of Melanie is here. ~ Paula E. Kirman

Edmonton Folk Music Festival 2010

Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Originally uploaded by raise my voice

I spent much of this past weekend at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Once again, I was blown away by the range of performers that spanned the globe. Thousands of people crowded Gallagher Park for the world-class event. I'll be presenting some capsule reviews from some of the highlights for me, so stay tuned! In the meantime, check out my photo set which includes some incredible shots of the main hill and surroundings. ~ Paula E. Kirman

CD Review: John Jones - The Rising Road

John Jones
The Rising Road
Westpark Music

Some people like to walk, and some people take it to an extreme. John Jones falls into the latter category. Best known as the front man for Celtic folk rockers Oysterband, The Rising Road is an album mostly of traditional folk songs, inspired by Jones' long treks through the Welsh countryside. The arrangements are much more subdued than Oysterband material, although several of the tracks feature contributions from band members, particularly Alan Prosser on guitar and Dil Davies on drums. However, it is Jones' voice that is front and centre, full of dynamics and emotion. An original track, "Walking Through Ithonside," won Best Original Song in the Spiral Awards. Rising Road is an intelligent listen and a must for fans of Oysterband and British folk alike. ~Paula E. Kirman

CD Review: Ray Cooper - Tales of Love War and Death by Hanging

Ray Cooper
Tales of Love War and Death by Hanging
Westpark Music

Ray Cooper is best known by his nickname Chopper with English Celtic/folk group Oysterband. Tales of Love War and Death by Hanging is his solo release which is sure to appeal to both fans of Oysterband specifically and English folk music in general. Mostly original writing, the songs on the album exemplify the term "troubadour." Just like the title states, these are stories about love and, well, war and death. Set to an acoustic backdrop of strong acoustic guitars, light percussion, strings, and headed off by Cooper's rich, deep vocals, the lyrics come through very clearly. A cover of the classic country song "The Highwayman" is injected with Cooper's personality and ability to interpret the different characters within (the original version, as many know, featured four different vocalists). Also heavily influenced by Celtic music, the songs will weave their way into your subconscious and bring you back for more. Even if you have never heard of Ray Cooper or Oysterband before, if you like folk music with a traditional feel, you really need to give this a listen. Tales of Love War and Death by Hanging is available on CD Baby and iTunes. ~Paula E. Kirman