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: Mark Etheredge's 'Change Coming'

Mark Etheredge
Change Coming
Vipaka Records

California-based singer and musician, Mark Etheredge, brings us a contemporary pop/rock production of twelve funk, jazzy, and soulful compositions that feature great percussion, jazzy keyboards and light vocals that are somewhere between Jack Johnson and Ben Folds. "The Other Man" features soulful vocals, funky keyboards, and persistent percussion that is jazzy and smooth all the way through. The bluesy and jazzy guitar work is glittering with cheerful sound. "Room To Room" is a soulful piano ballad that is heartfelt and genuine without much in the way of additional instrumentation or accompanying vocals. "Hot Tub" is a quirky jazz-focused tune with funky rhythms and female backup vocals with Mark's voice leading the charge. The upbeat tune does not stray too far from his roots. "Change Coming" opens with a breezy, piano melody ripe with easy listening percussion and reverberating organ sounds. The sax brings the tune alive near the end of the song. Overall, Mark's full-length release is something that is refreshing and different than the average Top 40 material today. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: Anya Parker-Lentz' 'The Giving'

Anya Parker-Lentz
The Giving
Pink Stripe

Based in New Jersey, the young Anya Parker-Lentz creates whirling vocal pop melodies and catchy song arrangements on her debut EP, The Giving. "Staredown" is a good pop song with glittering percussion, glistening guitars, and an angelic voice. "Not Trying" opens with a pensive piano melody and light rock percussion with guitars and a Stevie Nicks-esque vocal concoction. The piano takes on a more prevalent role on "Stuck In Limbo." However, the guitars and percussion remind us of a good pop song arrangement with something deeper than your typical superficial pop lyrics of today. "The Giving" begins with another piano melody, but the melody morphs into a rock vein with clear vocals. "Wake Up Alice" is a pensive melody with a slow, stirring arrangement with a slightly European folk-pop influence and Cranberries-esque arrangements and vocals. The seven-track release is a top-notch release of pop songs with attitude and unforgettable attributes. ~ Matthew Forss    

CD Review: Charlie Wheeler Band's 'Line 'Em Up!'

Charlie Wheeler Band
Line 'Em Up!
Self-Release

Pennsylvania-based, Charlie Wheeler Band, is not your typical rock band from the North. In fact, the music is jam rock with Southern rock elements and a tad of blues. The new album, Line 'Em Up!, is a classic ode to Southern rock sounds with original material written by guitarist and vocalist, Charlie Wheeler. Charlie is joined by Greek Cheronis on lead vocals and harmonicas; Anthony Brown on keyboards and backing vocals; Andy Baker on bass and backing vocals; and Rad Akers on drums and backing vocals. "Why O' Why" is a gritty, political tune with big guitars and big vocals that reverberate with class and charisma. "Dark Canyons" opens with a rock guitar solo and drum-kit with roots elements and Southern B3 sounds. "Gone Are The Days" showcases a little harmonica action and a bluesy, rock-guitar medley and wild vocals clearly steeped in rock with a little piano notes on a keyboard. "The Same Thing" is an upbeat, classy, Southern rock song with burly vocals and a bluesy ambiance. "Line 'Em Up!" seems like a classic, thrash-rock anthem that is steeped in Southern soul. Overall, Line 'Em Up! is a great album of Southern blues-rock for today's generation. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Robert Soko and His BalkanBeats' 'BalkanBeats Soundlab'

Robert Soko and His Balkan Beats
BalkanBeats Soundlab
Piranha

Bosnian Balkan-beat master, Robert Soko, presents an array of musicians that know how to perform danceable, Balkan beats. You will hear Watcha Clan, Slavic Soul Party, Besh O Drom, Romzil, Los Colorados, Shukar Collective, Antwerp Gipsy Ska Orkestra, Florian Mikuta, Mode Plagal, Deladap, and others. This is one wild ride into the contemporary world of Balkan music. Nothing is left undone here. There are wild rhythms, boisterous horns, and seemingly cacophonous musical wanderings. However, the result is much more focused and purposeful. There are vocals on some of the tracks, but the instrumental abilities win out hands down. Anyone interested in the skittish Balkan beats and loud horns will love Robert Soko’s selections and mixes. Balkan DJs rejoice and world music fans unite for an unforgettable, foot-stomping, and heart-pounding journey through Europe’s musical corridor. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Egyptian Project's 'Ya Amar'

Egyptian Project
Ya Amar
SixDegrees Records

Produced by France’s Jerome Ettinger (who plays arghul and computer), Egyptian Project explores a balanced blend of electronic, acoustic, and contemporary Egyptian music. Jerome assembled several musicians, including Sayed Emam on vocals and kawala, Ragab Sadek on darbouka, duff, rek, sagats, and doholla, Salama Metwally on rababa and violin, Ihab Radwan on oud, Julien Bonvoisin on bass, Carlos Robles Arenas on drums, Camille Momper on cello, and Nicolas Berrivin on piano. The wide array of instrumentation creates chilling beats, rhythms, and melodies that are steeped in Egyptian musical traditions without resorting to forced electronic compositions of dance music. The music is somewhat danceable, but the primary elements are more folk, pop, and new age. Ya Amar is an ambitious effort that succeeds on all ac(chords)! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Very Be Careful's 'Remember Me From The Party?'

Very Be Careful
Remember Me From The Party?
Downtown Pijao

LA-based Afro-Colombian vallenato maestros, Very Be Careful, bring us another fine recording of upbeat, dance music on accordion, percussion, and other heart-pulsing instrumentation. The danceable music is characteristic of South American, Latin American, and North American tejano. The accordion-driven music is uptempo and refreshing, especially on "El Mosquito." Nevertheless, there are twelve rippling tunes of sonic beauty. The party atmosphere is full of vallenato music. Nothing is amiss here. The instrumentation and Spanish vocals are top notch throughout. Very Be Careful is essentially a party-version of Colombian polka music. Remember Very Be Careful is a group that knows how to perform. All in all, it's that good. ~ Matthew Forss