WVBR’s Bound for Glory, Spring 2009 Schedule

WVBR’S BOUND FOR GLORY, 42nd YEAR, SPRING 2009

Phil Shapiro, host of WVBR‘s Bound for Glory since its inception in 1967, announces the Spring schedule, continuing  the 42nd year of this Central New York musical tradition.

WVBR’s Bound for Glory, North America’s longest running live folk concert broadcast, broadcasts live from  the Cafe at Anabel Taylor Hall at Cornell on Sunday nights.  Bound for Glory brings central New York another series of free folk concerts, on WVBR-FM, 93.5 and 105.5, and streaming on line at http://wvbr.com . We promise some excellent acoustic music, presented by long-time host Phil Shapiro.

The show runs Sunday nights from 8 to 11, with live sets at 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30.  All three sets are different.  Come to as many sets as you wish.  Admission in the live audience at Anabel Taylor  is free and is open to everyone in the area.  Kids are always welcome.  Refreshments are available.  For further information, call Phil Shapiro at 607-844-4535, or e-mail pds10@cornell.edu.

Find out about upcoming Bound for Glory shows, and about how you can help, by joining the Friends of Bound for Glory.  Look up http://wvbr.com on the Web.

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Neil Young Archives Volume 1 1963-1972 Out June 2

Burbank, CA- Neil Young‘s highly anticipated collection Archives Volume 1 1963-1972 will be released June 2 on Reprise Records. The box set is the most innovative compilation ever assembled, focusing on the life of one of the most original musical artists of the rock era. It features new technology to follow Young’s career, and will be available in three different formats: Blu-ray, DVD and CD.

The Blu-ray edition presents the new technology of an interactive platform with music, video and text, and allows for material to be added later via the internet. The Archives, like Neil Young himself, is breaking brand new ground for how music can be presented.

Neil Young’s Archives series is something music fans have been talking about for years. In many ways, the technology had to be invented before the release could happen. And now that it is ready for release, it is part of what the future of music will be. Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times recently heard and viewed the Archives in Austin at the South X Southwest conference and wrote: “Not only is it absolutely amazing, it quite possibly is a model for the only kind of recorded product that independent and chain stores alike will still be selling in the post-CD future.” Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune observed, “The Archives appears to be nothing less than revolutionary in how it will present an artist’s back catalogue.”

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Historic Site Slated to Become National Banjo Center

Piedmont Folk Legacies Receives Half-Million-Dollar Property Gift
Historic Site Slated to Become National Banjo Center

Piedmont Folk Legacies (PFL), Inc., a non-profit group based in Eden, North Carolina, has received a substantial gift of property appraised at $510,000 as a donation from D.H. Griffin of neighboring Greensboro and James Klemic of Charlottesville, Virginia. Extending along Warehouse Street in the heart of Eden’s Spray Industrial National Register Historic District, the site includes two striking early twentieth century textile mill buildings totaling 220,000 square feet. The gift is key towards the anticipated development of the National Banjo Center, an exhibition, performance, education and recording complex that would be dedicated to this uniquely American musical instrument.

According to PFL board member Hank Sapoznik, “Few musical instruments are more closely tied or hold greater significance to American history than the banjo. From its West African roots, to its birth in the seventeenth century Caribbean, and through its meteoric rise in nineteenth century American popular culture, the banjo is an iconic  instrument whose impact is woven into the cultural fabric of the American experience.”

Located approximately 35 miles north of Greensboro in Rockingham County, the small town of Eden has deep ties to America’s banjo legacy as the former home of Charlie Poole. Back when the town was known as Spray, Poole spent  much of his adult life working as a mill hand while his innovative, three-finger picking banjo style and string band recordings helped pioneer the country and bluegrass sound.

“This is where this should happen, where Poole walked the Earth,” declared PFL President Louise Price. “Our ultimate goal is to make sure that this music and this heritage stays alive.”

Piedmont Folk Legacies already honors this native son through its acclaimed Charlie Poole Music Festival. Now in its fourteenth year, the summer festival celebrates Poole’s international reputation with concerts and competitions in old-time and bluegrass music. Scheduled this year for June 12th through June 14th, the festival’s headline act will be Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, an African-American string band. The annual Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to legendary African-American string band musician Joe Thompson.

While the Charlie Poole Music Festival is currently held at the Eden Fairgrounds, PFL’s dream is to one day host the event at the National Banjo Center. With this recent property gift, that dream just took a giant leap towards becoming reality.

Submitted by Dan Peck

See also “Plans for National Banjo Center in Eden Strumming Along”, with video.

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Slaid Cleaves Announces New CD and Tour Dates

It’s been five years since Texas-based, New England-raised Slaid Cleaves released an album of original material. Though he’s never been described as ‘prolific’, Slaid has once again delivered an album full of uncommonly fine-tuned songs built to stand the test of time. The new batch of songs on Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away, Music Road Records, will hit the streets April 21 and he’ll be bringing his new songs along on an East Coast swing (see itinerary below).

Reuniting with producer Gurf Morlix and co-writer pals such as Rod Picott and Adam Carroll, the new collection of literate and astute, Americana folk tales is a beautiful follow up to the critically acclaimed Wishbones (2004) and Broke Down (2000). While continuing to showcase his masterful talent as a songwriter of depth and detail, Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away evinces the growth of an artist probing yet deeper into the human heart.

Having spent the better part of the past five years on the road, Slaid is embarking on another new journey in joining the co-op label Music Road Records. The brainchild of fellow songwriter Jimmy LaFave, the new label, headed by noted engineer Fred Remmert, is allowing Slaid a more hands on involvement with both his album release and his career in these tumultuous times.

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Dirty Linen #141 May/June 2009

Excerpts from the new issue of Dirty Linen have been posted on our website.

Features include:

• Tish Hinojosa
• Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams
• Chad & Jeremy
• B.B. King
• Justin Townes Earle
• Greg Klyma
• Bob Wills & the Tiffany Transcriptions
• Unearthed: Nimrod Workman
• Wee Folk
• concert review
• recording reviews
• book reviews
• DVD reviews
• news

Available by subscription, at our webstore, and at only the finest newsstands (after April 14).

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Pete Seeger’s 90th Birthday Concert

May 3, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

American Express Pre-Sale Monday, March 23 at 9:00 a.m. EDT at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D004273B57B4BE0
Tickets On Sale Monday, March 30 at 9:00 a.m. EDT at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D004273B57B4BE0

Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Eddie Vedder, John Mellencamp, Juanes, Ani DiFranco, Arlo Guthrie, Bela Fleck, Ben Bridwell, Ben Harper, Billy Bragg, Billy Nershi, Bruce Cockburn, Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Keller Williams, Kris Kristofferson, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Michael Franti, Patterson Hood, Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Del McCoury, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Richie Havens, Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, Tom Morello, Warren Haynes, Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Dar Williams, Guy Davis, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Larry Long, Mike & Ruthy, Native American Indian Cultural Alliance, NYC Labor Chorus, Scarlet Moore, Silvio Rodriguez, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, Tom Chapin, Tom Paxton, Tommy Sands, Tony Trischka, and Toshi Reagon. Details HERE.

All proceeds to benefit Hudson River Sloop Clearwater a non-profit organization created to defend and restore the Hudson River.

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ROTHBURY Announces 2009 Artist Lineup

The Dead, Bob Dylan and His Band, The String Cheese Incident, Willie Nelson & Family, The Black Crowes

Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Nas, STS9, G. Love & Special Sauce, Gov’t Mule, Broken Social Scene, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, Guster, Les Claypool, Chromeo, Girl Talk, the Hold Steady, Ani Di Franco, and Many Others

The Four Day Camping Festival on 4th of July Weekend

Promises Expanded Vip Experiences, Unprecedented Sustainability Initiatives, and Much More

Tickets on Sale Friday, March 20 at Noon EDT at www.rothburyfestival.com

The Dead (their ONLY summer appearance!), Bob Dylan, The String Cheese Incident, Willie Nelson & Family, and The Black Crowes will top the bill of over 60 diverse and stellar artists at the second annual ROTHBURY Festival at the Double JJ Ranch in Michigan on July 2-3-4-5, 2009.

Also on the bill are Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley & Nas, STS9 (2 shows: full band/Live PA Set), G. Love & Special Sauce, Gov’t Mule, Broken Social Scene, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, Guster, Les Claypool, Chromeo, Girl Talk, The Hold Steady, Ani DiFranco and many others.  A complete list of confirmed artists follows.  More artists will be announced in the coming months.

ROTHBURY emerged last year as a new Fourth of July celebration. With The Dead performing their only summer show, The String Cheese Incident together for their only show for 2009, and cultural icons Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and Ralph Stanley, ROTHBURY 2009 continues to honor America’s extraordinary festival lineage. Interlacing ushers of the new American music scene such as STS9, Chromeo, and MSTRKRFT, globally recognized acts including Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley & Nas, and King Sunny Adé & His African Beats and local Michigan artists The Macpodz, Steppin’ In It, The Ragbirds, Four Finger Five, and The Hard Lessons, ROTHBURY delivers music of integrity across all genres. Coupled with a commitment to exploring the integration of art and modern thought and technology throughout the event, ROTHBURY creates a unique 21st century American gathering unlike any other.

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k.d. lang Leads a Festival of Musical Discovery at Winnipeg

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA – For release Saturday, March 14, 2009

Unforgettable female vocalists, new alt.folk sensations, compelling singer-songwriters, and legends of African music, folk, and bluegrass – all these and more are coming to the 36^th annual Winnipeg Folk Festival July 9-12 in Birds Hill Park.

It should come as no surprise that this year’s artists are a diverse and talented group of performers, whether they are long-time folk friends or up-and-comers waiting to be discovered on a workshop stage.

Leading the way is prairie girl and multiple Grammy and Juno award winner k.d. lang, back for the first time since 1985, when she appeared with The Reclines. Lang will close the show Sunday night, following a must-see performance by folk legend and political activist Arlo Guthrie, who is appearing at the festival for the first time.

Two more distinctive female voices will rise up from the festival’s main stage: that of Neko Case, performing songs from her critically acclaimed CD, Middle Cyclone; and Toronto’s Serena Ryder, who will leave festival goers wanting more of her husky vocal delivery and distinctive self-penned songs.

This year’s festival welcomes a new generation of musicians who masterfully blend musical styles and put their unique stamp on the familiar: Josh Ritter with his thoughtful lyrics, Toronto’s Great Lake Swimmers with their heartfelt alt.folk sound, and festival favourite Xavier Rudd from Australia, with his socially conscious themes and, of course, his didgeridoos.

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Habib Koite on Tour in North America this Spring

Habib Koite, photo by Dirk Leunis

With more than 250,000 albums sold around the globe, an appearance on the popular television show Late Night with David Letterman, a duet with Bonnie Raitt on her 2002 album Silver Lining, and nearly a thousand concerts on some of the world’s most prestigious stages under his belt, Habib Koité is one of Africa’s most beloved and popular musicians.

“His reputation as a guitar player has become almost mythical…” – The New York Times

For more information visit: http://www.cumbancha.com/habib

2009 Habib Koite North American Spring Tour Dates

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Spring Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance

What: Spring Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance
When: Thursday, April 16 through Sunday April 19, 2009
Where: 1439 Henderson Tanyard Road, Silk Hope, North Carolina. Just down the road from Pittsboro, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Raleigh, Durham, and Greensboro.
For more info: Schedule and info at www.shakorihills.org or by calling (919) 542-8142. Information is always being updated.

Stages: The festival will feature more than 40 bands and performers on two big outdoor stages, a large Dance Tent, and an intimate Cabaret Tent.

Featured performers: Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale , Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco Band, Rachid Taha, The Old Ceremony, Jose Conde y Ola Fresca, Todd Snider, The Horse Flies, and Justin Townes Earle

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