Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Itâs a combination of the Autumnal weather and the brilliant colors but also sinister songs of the supernatural intertwined with tradition are very appealing. Weâll hear classics from Archie Fisher, Anne Hills and … Continue reading →
This is the first of a two-part look at songs (âWreck on the Highwayâ and âPercyâs Songâ) about road crashes and their aftermath ⌠The meaning of life is that it stops. â Kafka Impact Shards of shattered windshield, mangled … Continue reading →
This week we complete our two part ballad feature with a series of selections collected by James Francis Child. Later weâll hear a set of unaccompanied ballads from the Southern Mountains and explore a long set of English ballads in … Continue reading →
Disaster and Tragedy Among the small number of conversations among friends that initially inspired this blog back in 2011/2012 was a discussion about a shipwreck. It was about the RMS Titanic specifically, and why the disaster of its sinking led to so much music … Continue reading →
Preview of a new CD from Triboro and WFDU-FMâs TRADITIONS Playlists for October 4 & 18, 2015 My guest on the October 4th show was Don Friedman, 1/3 of the trio Triboro. The members of Triboro represent three of the … Continue reading →
This story is about two old, dear friends. One friend was animated with a touch of fuss and feathers, and so much talent. The other, a tad more wooden; comprised of mother of pearl and abalone inlay, some nickel silver … Continue reading →
This week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine we begin a two part feature Ballads Ancient & New. Weâll listen to ballads in many different settings and styles. Narrative songs have always been an important part of folk music whether … Continue reading →
     TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD Portrait of an American Singer Bear Family 17332 www.bear-family.com  Have you ever felt like â to paraphrase âSixteen Tonsâ â you owed your soul to the company store? October 17th marks … Continue reading →
     MAXEL TOFT 31 Self Released www.maxeltoft.com  Toftâs 31 showed up at Sing Out!âs offices in a sandwich bag. Physically speaking, itâs a white CDR with â31â written in Sharpie and âMaxel Toftâ written in … Continue reading →
     PLAINSONG Reinventing Richard:      The Songs of Richard FariĂąa Omnivore www.omnivorerecordings.com  There is a clear line between recitation and interpretation. Interpretation, hopefully, takes a song someplace it hasnât been before, someplace new. Iain Matthews and … Continue reading →
