Frank Fairfield This is the third of three posts on the North Carolina murder ballad “Poor Ellen Smith.” Read the first here and the second here. One of the implicit questions in the previous two posts is whether the real … Continue reading →
This week’s program is titled A Pack of Summer Songs. The change of seasons has always been a fertile subject for composers and musicians. This week’s program collects some favorites from writers as talented as Putnam Smith and Guy Clark … Continue reading →
WFDU-FM’s TRADITIONS June 15, 2014 HOST: Ron Olesko I enjoy having the opportunity to invite guests into the studio to share their songs and stories. Today’s show featured one of the most moving and important discussions that I’ve had the … Continue reading →
Aoife O’Donovan This is the second in a series of posts on “Poor Ellen Smith.” Read the first one here. Our posts here at Murder Ballad Monday are just a few small additions to the numerous reviews, ruminations on, and … Continue reading →
Various Artists Peabody Blues St. Charles Blues Jackson Stomp Nehi Records 1, 2 & 3 www.nehirecords.com Though there are plenty of crossovers and cross polinizations on these three vintage collections, two have local focuses. Peabody … Continue reading →
Seldom Scene Long Time … Seldom Scene Smithsonian/Folkways 40199 www.folkways.si.edu As a recap of the more than forty-year history of the Seldom Scene, the extensive liner booklet accompanying this new release is about as … Continue reading →
Nickel Creek A Dotted Line Nonesuch 541944 www.nonesuch.com In the late 1990s, a trio of prodigiously talented teenagers emerged from the Southern California bluegrass scene into the national folk/acoustic circuit as Nickel Creek. Sean … Continue reading →
Nathan Bell Blood Like A River Stone Barn 1309 www.nathanbellmusic.com Nathan Bell’s Blood Like a River hit me hard. It is powerful stuff on through from the opener “Names” which relates in brief lives … Continue reading →
Carlene Carter Carter Girl Rounder 11661-918 www.rounder.com With Carter Girl, Carlene Carter has made an album she’s wanted to make for many years: one steeped in and, in truth, inspired by her Carter Family … Continue reading →
BRYAN SUTTON Into My Own Sugar Hill www.sugarhillrecords.com Since coming to the attention of the acoustic music scene, particularly the bluegrass crowd in the late 1990s as a member of Ricky Skaggs’ band Kentucky … Continue reading →
