I have a similar thread in jam bands for people to post their new discoveries (old gems appropriate here) The idea is to get us listening to more than the same old eight 60s and three recent folkies. POst your new discoveries and rediscoveries. Let's assume we all know Dylan, DiFranco etc. this is that album covered in an inch of dust, or the new rising voice you caught at a fest or other show. soo.. last night I worked merch for Joe Jencks and Iain Campbell Smith. Eddie from Ohio was in the adjoining hall. I saw all three over the night (I love volunteering, I get to slip here and there) EFOUS, FLorida, not Ohio) I saw about 1/3 of Eddie form Ohio's show and this is a band to catch. strong harmony, quirky writing and they charmed the crowd. as their shirts read: Folkin' excellent! Joe Jencks: (US, Ohio) Wow wow wow. My seccond time to see him, first solo performing. Conservatory trained musician who is Union. Sells Union made shirts. Wide variety of songs, from delicate, passionate love songs to renditions of modern history (including a song about a McDonalds strike in 1998, a cover, I beleive) to "Auto Mechanically Declined," which enjoys some play on Car Talk on NPR. I find I usually like the folks the Car Talk crew finds, btw. He performed union songs, appeals to St Christopher (a modern sea shanty) love songs and social commentary songs ("What Kind of Brother?" took my fancy). Powerful voice on a capella pieces that rang in the rafters. DVD filming. I hope he releases it! Iain Campbell Smith (Aussie, in US for a year as wife works at Aussie embassy) So, you take this desk jockey bureaucrat sort and drophim and 50 unarmed others on an island with a civil war going on, and tell them they are peace keepers. Right, then. Peace through music was the way to go. Campbell Smith found that his songs were so popular, he could walk though a village and call out a line and get the next line called back. He's witty, low key and a beautiful picker.
CHECK OUT THE LOW ANTHEM! here is their website - http://www.lowanthem.com/ they are a local folk band, and their music is amazing. they have a lot of music to listen to on their website, check it out! you will not be dissapointed.
Emma and the Proff, a duo I saw last week. She's a great singer and he is the best Bodrun player I've ever encountered. They joined forces with Tom Leary from Fairport and it was incredible
Xavier Rudd! It's not really pure folk, it's got influences from folk and surf and Australian aboriginal music (which is folk too, of course) as well. All performed by one man. He is the awesomest ever, live. And a positive energy shining soul. Phil Ochs. Got into him through reading King's Hearts in Atlantis. He's awesome, socialist pacifist 60s protest folk. Much better musician and singer than Dylan's ever been, IMO.
I really dig Willy Mason's new album "Where the human's eat." Mason Jennings is one of my favorite new folk singers. great lyrics, good melodies, and he puts on great shows.
I bought Carthy and Swarbricks new album last week to see if I'd like them, it was fucking terrible so I took it back
Ditto to that! I saw him live for the first time this summer when he was touring the US! He is my muse, infact I'm wearing his t-shirt as we speak! The man has got mad talent! I'm like a living advertisement for this man! I just cannot get enough of him! He was my inspiration to start playing the didge!!! He has such a beautiful soul, you can just see it watching or listening him play his music!!!
I love Mason too. Going to another one of his shows on the 3rd. I'm lucky enough to be from the area he is His brother is pretty good too.
Lowen and Navarro: I came to these guys late, possibly the last chance to see the duo (Lowen has ALS and his playing is affected) Noice songwriting and flawless harmonies. Playing in LA next Friday: check them out lownav.com
www.rachaeldavis.com Amazing voice, thoughtful songwriting. Briliant. (edit: unlike my spelling...*points* ^)
