Clancy Waltzes Matilda

One of the best known traditional Irish groups are a group of four brothers. Pat, Bobby, Tom and Liam took celtic music to a whole new level and traveled all over the world to spread their rich culture. A chap by the name of Tommy Makem would typically be at their side helping along either playing or singing along to their favorite songs. The Clancy Brothers were well known all over the world and also tagged along with the big folk boom throughout New York City and the rest of the states. Playing at the Newport Folk Festival numerous times and becoming good friends with folks biggest name and grandfather Pete Seeger, they even had a hand in influencing Bob Dylan in his push to become folk/rocks biggest name. The Clancy's can sing of booze, death, wakes and seas but here they borrow a sad song born in Australia called The Band Played The Waltzing Matilda. Its one of the saddest songs I've ever lent my ears to. Its one of those songs you just can't help but hold onto every word. Its a song about a young man who loved to dance in his younger years but, especially a song called Waltzing Matilda. He was called into war and has his legs blown off on a dreadful day where thousands died. No longer could he dance like he used to and loved to do. He couldn't do most the things that he used to be able and it just killed him without being dead. The Band Played The Waltzing Matilda is one of the most heartbreaking war songs to be ever written and its probably more considered a Irish tune now more so than an Australian song, thanks to The Clancy's. They made this song their own and you can see it in their face as they sing through the words. Its a tragic song but you can see how great the Clancy Brothers really could play with this song. Beautiful!

Cash's Gonna Cut You Down

Today marks the birth of the man in black Johnny Cash. One of the most important figures in music history not only in country where he strived but also in gospel, rock and folk. He will never be forgotten after his life was portrayed in the blockbuster hit movie Walk The Line as it placed his life on screen, revealing his hardships and pain, battling with pills and God. This song was released after his death and to me shows Johnny's talents more than any other video. Its morbid and dark but so is Cash at his best, no wonder he was dubed the man in black. His raspy deep voice only betters with age and it fits this song very well. Gods Gonna Cut You Down was maybe Cash's last testament. His going away card to the world before he himself was cut down. Its the perfect ending to the perfect long career of the man Johnny Cash. Happy Birthday, you are missed.

A Pentagle Of Music

Pentangle are a British band formed in the late 60's who floored spectators with their brand of folk jazz. Headed by guitar virtuoso Bert Jansch they had a huge commercial success over in Europe and most of the US. Jansch's strong voice paired well with Jacqui McShee's angelic soft voice. Pentangle used a plethora of different instruments in traditional folk songs to change the sound but still hold true to the richness of folk. House Carpenter is an old traditional folk song that has been sung by Dave Van Ronk, Doc Watson, and Joan Beaz just to name a few. Here Pentangle switched it up by throwing in a indian sitar and it sounded beautiful under McShees and Janschs voices. Beautiful job from one of Britian's national treasure.

A Wax Museum Of Great Music

I first heard David Wax Museum live playing on a street around Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA. There was a street fair that took up all of Harvard Square and live music was coming out of all corners. We stumbled across David Wax at the Club Passim tent which is a great folk club in Harvard Square that hosted and still hosts great folk bands from all around the country. They had everyone dancing in the streets that day with their style of Mexican mariachi music. There was a group of swing dancers who tore up the side street that day and I will never forget the joy and happiness on the faces of everyone that stop to watch and enjoy. That day we bought their album and to this day we can't stop playing it and dancing around the house. Colas has got to be one of my favorite on the album that we bought just because of its upbeat tune and catchy lyrics. Plus how can you not fall in love with a group that has a donkey jaw as an instrument in their band, pure genius and what a great sound. Today David Wax Museum has a new album out that I encourage any fun loving, upbeat, get your feet stomping and legs kicking music fan to run to the record store and pick it up and fall in love.

The Devil Knows The Delta Spirit

A session at a radio station can be one of the best places where you can find great music. It tends to be laid back and easy going. Where great musicians can just let loose and play what they want to play, without any stress or pressure. They can play music that they grew up with or that isn't really expected as commercially great music but is soulful and heart filled. Here a group of musicians that calls themselves The Delta Spirit just let loose and give it their all on this dueling guitar tune. The song takes its verse from an old Irish blessing. I really enjoy the song with its catchy guitar chords that easily turns you into a foot tapping fiend.

Townes Earle Lives Up To The Name

I hear alot of new music pass by my ear. Most of it I just push to the side and leave it, its forgettable. Some however I just can't seem to let leave, it sticks to you. Eating away at your brain but in a good way. Its a pleasure for me to listen to such a talent as Justin Townes Earle. He has a sense of old time music. Being the son of Steve Earle how can you not grow up listening to great music and being influenced by the best. His tempo on Mama Said is flawless and the guitar strings just purr like a kitten under his fingers. The song is beautiful and sounds as if it was written in the 50's. Thats what I love about Townes Earle, even though its 60 years later you don't have to sound new. More instruments the better is not the case, just your voice and a simple guitar is all you need and that's the way it should be. Today's music is overproduced and overdone. Keep it raw and uncut Justin, its what will make your fans and your daddy proud.

The Devils Folk Singer

They used to say that blues was the devils music, it turned young men and women into demons. Contorting their bodies in ways you wouldn't usually see, dancing as if dancing to a flame lit by the devil himself. But in my mind music is a way to get out your anger in a non physical way. It releases your feelings all in one ball of speech. You can go down the wrong path or make a better path just the same. Its not music that chooses the path, its yourself. In this documentary The Folk Singer a young aspiring folk singer named Jon aka Possessed By Paul James was riddled by religion and possesed by anger and doubt. About to have a child he embarks on a journey through Louisiana and Texas. Playing small honkey tonks and bars he meets up with other musicians playing the music that they love. Throwing their heart into the crowd every night they drink with the best of them, shoot guns with the best of them, smoke with the best of them but more importantly play with the best of them. Its an uplifting documentary about a young man struggling through the hardships of life in the music industry. The ups and downs on the way and the characters they meet along the way. Folk, Blues and Country are prominent in this movie. Its Americana at its best.

The Band Made A Difference

The Band came out of nowhere. Starting off as The Hawks with Ronnie Hawkins they kept the name when they started playing as a backup band for Bob Dylan. With Dylan they became The Band after numerous people were asking Dylan who they were and his reply was "oh, thats just the band". It stuck with them and decided to keep the name. The Band consisted of 4 Canadians Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, and Richard Manuel and 1 American Levon Helm. They carried on through a phenomenal career from their debut album Music From Big Pink to Northern Lights - Southern Cross. In 1976 they decided to call it quits, after Robertson was weary of touring and Manuel was suffering a neck injury from a boating accident. But they didn't leave without a bang. Robertson came up with the idea of a last concert, later called The Last Waltz. This concert was performed on Thanksgiving day in 1976. On the card was everyone from Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Hawkins, Van Morrison, Dr John, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood, Neil Diamond, and Paul Butterfeild. Directed by the great Martin Scorsese it defined what The Band was all about. They had fun and you can really see it. This song It Makes No Difference also defined The Band, beautiful and soulful.

Cohen's Blue Raincoat

I listen to music for the peek into the singers soul. To feel what they felt while writing that certain song. Now a lot of songs you can't really feel the feelings of the writer. Others its easy, Leonard Cohen's Famous Blue Raincoat. Falls directly into that category, its potent and direct. You can feel the pain in his heart as he transits from line to line. The song is describing a love triangle between the writer, a lady named Jane and another man. The song is written in the form of a letter wherein the writer (Cohen) is writing the other man in the love triangle with Jane. In the song Jane is described to be the writers wife or later became his former wife. The song starts of extremely heartfelt and depressing but later as the song carries on the writer thanks the other man stating that it was a blessing he took Jane away from him, she was nothing but trouble and the affair opened up his eyes. The actual Famous Blue Raincoat that he refers to was his. He confirms that it was a great Burberry raincoat that Cohen bought in London that he adored. Weather the story has some truth to it was left unsaid, but it doesn't matter when a song is this heartfelt that it gives you goosebumps it becomes more real than any fact.

Barrence Boxes With Russell

I've been a huge fan of songs about real people, real lives, true stories. Songs like Bob Dylan's Hurricane, Gordon Lightfoot's Wreck Of the Edmund Fitzgerld, Johnny Cash's The Ballad of John Henry, etc. There's hundreds of them. Today I've stumbled across a great tribute song by a good friend of mine Barrence Whitfeild. Barrence works at the record exchange record store in Salem, MA that i frequently hung out in and thumbed through the vinyl. My collection grew larger and larger after learning more and more great music from Barrence, Jimmy, Skip and Paul. I probably wouldn't have the knowledge of music if it wasn't for those guys and I owe them alot and thank them greatly. Barrence can be heard around New England with his funk group He also tours around Europe and Australia. In this song however Barrence takes a more traditional route, collaborating with folk artist Tom Russell he sings great with his gruff voice on a song that is beautifully written. The song is a tribute to legendary boxer John Arthur (Jack) Johnson, the first ever African American to ever win the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship and the second ever African American to win a championship. Story's like this can never be lost in history and thanks to Barrence Whitfield and Tom Russell at least Jack Johnson's story never will.

Belly Of Songs

A friend of mine who like me loves finding new music was talking about folk/country artists last night. We were going back and forth with artists that we listen to for years. He told me about an amazing songwriter who would play at his pub every now and then from St. John's named Joe Belly. He praised Belly to no end and i couldn't wait to get back home and check out this guy. When I did he blew me away with his songwriting. Hes what embodies what a songwriter should be. Catchy lyrics under a great tune. The video has an old time feeling, everyone gathering around the kitchen just playing and having fun until the morning comes. I extremely happy that I've been introduced to Joe Belly. This is why I started this blog to introduce people and friends of artists otherwise they wouldn't find out about.

Justin's Tribute To Mama

There are alot of musicians out there that are children of famous musicians. They usually don't make it, living up to a big name isn't the easiest thing to do. There was actually a show on tv a while back that was like a American Idol for musicians kids. They had Dee Sniders son, Joe Walsh's daughter, Eddie Moneys daughter, etc, but none of them really wowed the music industry with their talent. But I just recently discovered a huge talent in the industry's pool. Justin Townes Earle the son of Steve Earle and grandson of Allison Moorer is a talent that just cant be overlooked. At the age of 28 he has already won an AMA award and already has been playing at the Grand Ole Opry. Not being around his dad as a child Justin had a hard childhood, being addicted to hard drugs by the age of 12 and carrying that drug addiction throughout his teens and early 20s. He even toured with his fathers band The Dukes playing keyboards but was fired after his drug addiction affected his performance. Lately though Justin has come off drugs and has a new outlook on life, focusing on songwriting it really has paid off and you can hear it on his new album Harlem River Blues, which got great reviews from critics worldwide. I love the new country/bluegrass/folk outbreak in the past couple years. Bands like Justin, Old Crow Medicine Show, Felice Brothers, etc are releasing great albums one after the other and its a breath of fresh air from today's music that has no soul or meaning, just words thrown into a beat. Songs like Mama's Eyes which Townes wrote about his mother being a huge part of his life and probably the only part of his life since his dad was never around, always touring trying to make a buck. There's heart and soul pouring directly into this song. Its what music needs and I am glad I found it.

Townes Didn't Wait Around To Die

On this date back in 1997 the music world has lost one of its greatest songwriters. John Townes Van Zandt better know as Townes Van Zandt died of a cardiac arrhythmia after falling weeks before down concrete steps at his home and not taking immediate medical attention. Townes later went into the hospital with his ex-wife and friends and had surgery after finding a injury to his leg. After the surgery his ex-wife Jeanene signed him out of the hospital against doctors orders. Townes was extremely irritated after being in extreme pain and being a lifelong alcoholic ordered his wife to get him drink. After drinking a flask of vodka and smoking a joint Townes son Will found him not breathing and looking dead. Townes died 44 years to the day of his idol Hank Williams death who also had a bout with alcohol. I've picked Waiting Around To Die to honor Townes is one of the most powerful songs and videos I've seen. From his beautiful voice eerily foreshadowing his life story to the black man shedding a tear behind him listening to the songs lyrics unfold, touching him in a way no other song has ever done before. Not too many songwriters can sing their own lyrics and bring a man to tears but here Townes did just that. RIP Townes may you never be forgotten.

Flemenco Montoya

Carlos Montoya didn't invent flemenco music. It was around for years and years before him, the style was evolved from traditional Spanish music the same way today's American music is evolved from Blues, Jazz and Folk. But Carlos is the father of Flemenco, there is no doubt about that. He took the style and with his guitar ran with it. I love this rare video of Carlos just playing his heart out. Strumming with disregard. Its a thrill watching his fingers just flow all over the neck with such flow and ease.

Some Plucking Good

The first time I heard of Bert was from the group Pentangle. A good friend from the record store I used to frequently visited loved my wide array of taste in music and suggested Pentangle to me and thought I would like it. Sure enough I fell in love with the album. But one guy stood out more than anyone else in the band and that was Bert Jansch. His finger plucking was extraordinary. I searched far and wide for Jansch on vinyl but could never find any of his solo stuff. Finally one day my friend Paul at the record store had one kept behind for me. It was Birthday Blues and I fell in love with it. Its scattered with both beautiful songs with great songwriting to breathtaking acoustic instrumentals. I can listen to this song all day and never be sick of it. Every time I listen to it I hear something new. His voice is hallowing with a slight echo that melds well into the hard plucking of his strings. Its no wonder that Neil Young has been one of Berts biggest fans, even taking him on his recent tour. You can hear how Neil was influenced by him especially in this song.

Belly Full Of Blues

When you hear the word greatest musician of all time a lot of things has be be taken into consideration. One is songwriting, they can't just play a instrument well and be called the greatest musician. Another is controversy, there has gotta be mystery and suspense surrounding the musician. There's enough mystery surrounded Huddie Leadbetter to write a whole series of novels. Hes been called the king of the twelve string for his guitar playing and in regards of songwriting no one can be beat.

Leadbetter or better know as Leadbelly was not a giant man, maybe standing 6 feet tall, but he was a ox. Growing up working in the cotton feilds he didn't scare away from work. Leadbelly's first story of mystery was when he was sentence to prison in 1915 for concealing a pistol. He was sentence to a chain gang. It was bitter sweet because on the chain gangs was where Leadbelly learned most of his traditional songs. After seven years he won a pardon from Governor Pat Morris Neff by writing him a song. He got out of prison and started drifting around singing songs along with Woody Guthrie, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Josh White, Pete Seeger, etc. But in 1930 he was back in jail on counts of attempted homicide. 3 years later folklorist John Lomax discovered Leadbelly in Angola Prison. There Lomax was very impressed by Leadbelly and recorded hundreds of his songs. By request Lomax gave Governor Oscar Allen a recording of Leadbelly singing his signature song Goodnight Irene, impressed with the song another pardon was on its way for Leadbelly.

After prison Leadbelly was starting to write children songs and it didn't go over very well with the public after they discovered that a black man who is an ex con was singing to their children. But still he sung many children songs such as Skip To My Lou, Ha Ha This A Way, Sally Walker,  and Polly Wee.

Again in 1939 Leadbelly was back in prison for assault. Stabbing a man during a fight. John Lomax's son Alan came to his rescue and raised money for a lawyer to get him out of jail. He succeed and started a whole new relationship between the two. Alan recorded him many times and even had Leadbelly on his show Back Where I Came From.

In 1949 Leadbelly would die from a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. He was buried at the Shilo Baptist Church in Mooringsport . A life size statue of him stands tall across from the Caddo Parish Courthouse in
Shreveport. The town where Leadbelly would have been found roaming the streets singing for dimes and nickles.

The music library of Leadbelly is enormous. Songs such as Midnight Special, Goodnight Irene, Cotton Feilds, Gallows Pole, Take This hammer, House Of The Rising Sun, Rock Island Line, John Henry, Matchbox Blues, Where Did You Sleep Last Night, and so many more were covered by such bands as   The Animals, Nirvana, CCR, Led Zepplin, Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Ram Jam, Van Morrison, Pete Seeger, ABBA and hundreds more. Huddie Ledbetter was considered till this day one of the most important figures in music history. He was idolized by bands that we idol today. He was feared, respected and loved. He had a hard life and that is what makes his music so great, he put every inch of his soul into what he sung and played.

James Does Dylan

This video comes from the Bob Dylan biopic I'm Not There. Its one of my favorite covers that came out of the movie. My Morning Jacket's Jim James did the vocals and he did it well. His ghostly voice matched the deathly scene of the movie and was considered by many as one of the best Dylan covers in a long time. I love the whole scene of faces painted and singing before the girls funeral as a tribute to the youngsters death. I watched this movie in the theater and one of the scenes that stood out in my mind was this one, and of course the one where Dylan first got the Beatles to smoke weed.

A Tribute To The Islanders

While scanning through youtube I stumbled across this gem. I was looking for a nice version of a traditional Newfoundland song of the same name. I've never heard of Nightwish in my life and probably wouldn't have but something told me I should check this video out and so I did and I am pleased. Nightwish is a Finnish band who alot of their songs are based on mythology and folk lore.  Such a beautiful song about the struggles of mariners, us Newfies know all about it so it kinda hits home. Beautiful instrument play and a very nice voice from the lead. The video is done very well, kinda going in the direction of the weird and abnormal but I like it. The old mariner in the video is what a typical sailor looks like and is also what a typical Newfie looks like.The video looks alot like a Tim Burton movie or the movie Big Fish. Take a look at the video and be blow away by the sights and sounds of a well produced song.

If You Wanna Be A Hero Follow Van Ronk

This song has got to be one of the most raw patriotic war songs I've ever heard. Dave Van Ronk was the leader of the New York folk scene in the 60's. Residing in Greenwich Village where clubs like the Cafe Wha?, Folk City, The Bitter End and the Gaslight Cafe were just a few that sparked the careers of Bob Dylan, Joan Beaz, Pete Seeger, Weavers, The Kingston Trio, Phil Ochs and many many more. But with all the big names to come out Van Ronk was always considered the king of the Village. His rough and scratchy voice fits perfectly with this bitter song. A song about a veteran coming back with battle scars and nothing left, still getting left in the dirt with no respect for what he has done. The song is as raw as it gets and I love it, its one of my favorite Van Ronk songs to date.

Baseballs one and only no hitter on LSD

Chuck Brodsky is a folk singer that has an amazing talent for songwriting. With the songwriting of Bob dylan and the voice of a more coherent Tom Waits Chuck is tearing up the coffee spots with his hilarious songs and brutal talent. Here he sings about a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates named Doc Ellis who didn't know his team was playing the next day so him and his girlfriend takes LSD. They stay up all night and takes some more in the morning. The girlfriend finds a newspaper the next morning and read that his team was playing that day. Not only were they playing but Doc was pitching. So he rushes to the ballpark high on LSD, had to lie his way to the coach's and makes it out to the mound. Chuck tells the rest brilliantly in this song and the story is hilarious, but they best part is that its true. Enjoy the brilliant talent of Chuck Brodsky, folk singer extraordinaire!