<<<Back to page 2

In recent years, Nova Scotia sisters Cassie and Maggie MacDonald have earning a solid reputation here in the United States for their outstanding performance of tunes and songs that come from their Celtic roots. Cassie’s fiddle and Maggie’s piano and guitar explode with dynamic performances of traditional and original compositions. They returned to Old Song to once again share their musical heritage as well as a joyous demeanor on stage, earning an enthusiastic reception from the audience.

Seeing old friends is another highlight for me. Kim and Reggie Harris are festival favorites and they offered up another exceptional performance of inspiring songs. Also returning this year was another Old Songs veteran, Anne Hills, who performed with Jay Ansill. Anne and Jay are working on the new CD that will soon be released, and based on the songs they shared, it will be another winner. Anne is one of the finest voices in our folk community and she has a gift for sharing deep emotions in every song she sings.

A band local to the Albany area rounded out the Friday evening lineup with an eclectic set of songs that touched on vintage jazz, swing, blues and good old Americana. Annie and the Hedonists, featuring the stunning voice of Annie Rosen, gave a sassy performance that had me smiling. I hope more people from other parts of the country will get an opportunity to see this band.

After the evening concerts, more magic happens at Old Songs. Like other festivals, you will find music being made around the campgrounds into the wee hours along with Celtic and Quebecois jam sessions, a sing in the Dutch Barn, and incredible contra dance sessions.

I was born with two left feet and my gift of coordination has so far prevented me from becoming either a surgeon or a diamond cutter, but I love folk dancing. Contra and square dance especially. No, I’m not out on the floor, but you will find me standing in the back of the hall marveling at the dancers enjoying themselves. I realize that dancing is meant to be participatory, but I’m enjoying myself too, as I find something very special about the multi-generational bonding that these dances bring out. Young and old frolic on the dance floor to a variety of contras, English country, swing, and community dances. Throughout the weekend there are classes in other styles of dance too, but the late evening dance is something to behold. Maybe I should give it sometime.

Over the years, I’ve been drawn into numerous conversations about what will happen to folk music and how do we get young people involved. The dances at Old Songs may provide a clue. Young and old alike take to the floor including families, couples and singles. No one pays attention to their age; everyone is young at heart when they share such a communal feeling. I’ve been told the contra dance scene in New England is similar to what I witness at Old Songs, and I can only hope that the joy spreads, not only in the dance scene, but with folk music in general. I’m still not sure what part of the dance creates the spark that kindles such a community gathering, but it is worth exploring for the source.

I divide my time between the dance and a community sing that takes place in the Dutch Barn near the main gate at the festival. I love the community sings, but I have to admit they are sometimes bittersweet. Many of the faces that I came to love in our folk community are no longer with us, but it is good to see the tradition continue with new voices joining in song. The sings are always led by an individual who insures everyone gets a chance to share a song, and also does a few on their own. The songs are always for group participation, and hearing the voices ringing in that barn during Old Songs is something you do not want to miss. In the first few years that I attended, the sings were usually led by Sandy Paton, the co-founder of Folk Legacy Records and a folk singer who had a wealth of great songs to share. Sandy passed away a few years ago, and while others have led some wonderful sings, I miss Sandy. The sings feature folks who are not recording artists but simply lovers of song who are part of a greater community. I have seen some wonderful performances and discovered many great songs at these sings, but the sings are not about exhibition – they are about making music together. The sings are reminders of what is at the heart of folk music and how we become a community through song.

Swaddled in the glow of comforting folk songs, I slowly made my way back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep. Expectations for the next day’s events would make falling to sleep as difficult as it was on Christmas Eve when I was a young boy. I knew there would be some wonderful gifts when I woke up.

NEXT:  A weekend at Old Songs continues… workshops and performances from old and new friends