OLD SONGS 2008
Turning my car into the Altamont Fairgrounds on Friday afternoon, I could feel the rest of the world sink into the background. For the next three days I would not turn on a radio or read a newspaper – my world was centered on the magical community that is Old Songs. It becomes harder and harder to leave each year.
2008 marked the 28th Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance. The festival is put on by Old Songs Inc, a not-for-profit organization serving the Albany area that is dedicated to keeping TRADITIONAL music and dance alive through presentations of festivals, concerts, dances and educational programs in the NY capital region. Artistic Director Andy Spence and her staff put together an eclectic lineup of artists – folksingers, songwriters, dancers, storytellers and craftspeople who eagerly share their folk traditions.
The Altamont Fairgrounds has been in existence since 1893 and has been the site for a variety of agricultural exhibitions and community events. It is fitting that Old Songs calls the Fairgrounds home. The various barns and buildings echo back to a simpler times and the music and performers blend into this idyllic setting.
The performers at Old Songs include a variety of “names” that are familiar to folk fans, but I am always amazed at some of the international performers who make rare appearances at this event. Often, international performers will make Old Songs the centerpiece of a tour, or on occasion their only reason for visiting our country. Old Songs also includes a number of performers who may not be names that everyone recognizes, but individuals who represent unique folk traditions or ethic communities in our country. There is also a wonderful tradition of Canadian performers who appear at Old Songs. All in all, it is worth a
visit!
For me, the festival began on Friday afternoon with a performance of “The Visitors” a history of the Adirondacks in music, song and poetry that featured Dan Berggren, Peggy Lynn, Joe Bruchac,John Kirk, Trish Miller, George Wilson,George Ward, Bill Spence and Toby Stover. It was a unique production that deserves a wider audience. Old Songs issued a CD of the production, and I hope to share it on my radio program in the future.
On Friday and Saturday evening, and on Sunday afternoon, the main concerts take place. The mainstage is situated in a natural ampitheater that is surrounded (and occasionally occupied) by large trees. There is a mad rush to put down lawn chairs to reserve seats, but no matter where you sit or stand, you will be able to enjoy the concerts. Of course, you will enjoy it even more if you are wearing bug spray!
John Roberts , half of the duo of Roberts & Barrand was the emcee for Friday evening. John is now truly a national treasure! The day before the festival began, John officially became a U.S. citizen, after spending 40 years in our country! We are lucky to have him as “one of ours”!! John is also the perfect emcee and I really enjoyed the way he kept things flowing on Friday night.
On Friday night, audiences were treated to a performance from Andrew & Noah VanNorstrand. Andrew & Noah perform with their mother in the Great Bear Trio, but these young gentleman have released their own CD and have been touring. They write some great songs in a traditional vein and play some of the finest dance tunes on fiddle and guitar! It was a great start for the fest!
Friday night also saw an outstanding performance from April Verch and her band. I am still amazed that April possesses not only a great voice and js a virtuoso on the fiddle, but she is also a remarkable dancer in the Canadian Ottawa Valley tradit
ion – and she has a warm personna on stage. It was a memorable set, and she also attracted enthusiastic crowds in the various workshops she particpated in throughout theweekend.
Another great surprise, for me, on Friday was Chuck & Albert Arsenault. Known simply as Chuck & Albert, these two brothers are former members of Barachois and their stage performance is truly unique! They incorporate traditional music and dance from their home of Prince Edward Island, and they include a healthy dose of comedy and pantomine the had the audience on their feet.
Saturday afternoon saw April, Chuck & Albert join with clog dancer Ira Bernstein and Le Vent Du Nord member Olivier Demers for a workshop that was entitled “Rhythmic Feet”. Ira led what I felt was one of the most informative workshops I ever witnessed at a festival. While everyone was thoroughly entertained, the workshop offered some interesting lessons, something that many workshops often fail to do.
Workshops at Old Songs usually provide surprises and treats for the audience. There is usually great audience participation and one workshop that I attended turned into a song circle – led by Chrisopher Shaw, Lee Murdock (making a rare appearance in the Northeast!) and John Roberts. The workshop was billed as “Heaving, Hauling & Singing”. I assume it was intended as a celebrtion of worksongs, but it quickly turned into a sharing of sea chanteys, leaving Adirondack singer Christopher Shaw at a bit of a disadvantage since very few chanteys or whaling songs originate in the region! Still, it was a lively hour and it exemplified the community spirit that fills Old Songs.
It was also a treat to pop into a “Bouzouki-ish” jam session to discover the great Irish singer-songwriter Andy Irvine participate in a session with Steve Byrne of the group Malinky. Malkiny is an energetic band from Scotland who are steadily gaining fans here in the U.S. They are exciting to watch and listen to, and their music pays homage to the traditions yet gives a contemporary edge that will not put off traditional music purists.
The Dutch Barn, a recreation of buildings that were prevelant in our country since the days of the early settlers, is home to some of the finer “showcase” performances. Priscilla Herdman gave an emotional performance on Saturday afternoon as she shared songs from an album that she is currently working on. Not only did we have a chance to hear her magnicent voice on some new songs, but we also were treated to insight on the creative process and how recordings come together. The new CD might be not be available until later this year at the earliest, but based on the samples we heard, it will be worth waiting for!
On Saturday night, Matt Watroba did a fine job as emcee for the evening concert. Matt is a folk musis radio host in Detroit, and he is also a great performer. He really has a terrific voice and he did an amazing job under difficult circumstances. Saturday afternoon saw the first of serveral torrential downpours. The forecast for Saturday called for additional showers, and the area in front of the mainstage was turning into a mudpit. The decision was made to move the concert into the building where the dances are held. Unfortunately, not everyone could squeeze into the building – and those that did would find themselves in a hot and humid room that would prove a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Aside from the problems, the concert on Saturday night was superb and Matt did a wonderful job keeping the audience involved and their minds off the conditions.
I loved Galitcha, and was very happy to see them in the spotlight. I met them about 7 years ago at NERFA and always felt they deserved more attention. Fantastic.
While I am the proud owner of two left feet, I enjoy watching the after concert dances. I find it comforting that the dances are attended by so many young people – teenagers and young adults who are starting their own traditions. (Not being a dancer, I’m curious about contra dances in other parts of the country – are young people responding and turning out?)
One of the highlights for me is the after concert sing in the Dutch Barn. The sings are usually
lead by one or two singers whose job is to insure everyone has a chance and the music keeps flowing. Dick Greenhaus did an excellent job on Friday night. I noticed that the attendance for the sing seemed lower than normal, but I have a feeling the bugs that were out in record numbers this year (thanks to rains and the heat), might have had some of the audience calling it an early night.
I, for one, left Old Songs on Sunday with a wonderful glow (okay, the glow might have partially been caused by the Calamine lotion covering my bug bites)and I am already counting the days until next year’s fest. For me, Old Songs is a booster shot for folk music and community. Old Songs is a reminder of the wonderful diversity and sharing of cultures that occur in our traditions. We get an opportunity to see some old familiar faces and meet new ones that show us the traditions are alive and well – and will carry on.