OLD SONGS FESTIVAL

Each year I return from the Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music & Dance thinking that it was the best one yet. Old Songs began in 1981 and I started attending in 2000. Don’t ask me what took me so long to get to Altamont, New York. Procrastination I guess. It is a nice drive – 2 1/2 hours from our studios in Teaneck. I still kick myself for all the wonderful years I missed.Andy Spence & crew have created a unique annual event. While there are dozens of good festivals around the country, only a handful can be considered “great”. Old Songs is a great festival. Artisically, Andy has a vision that she manages to maintain yet continually evolve. The artists who appear at Old Songs are rooted in the tradition. While some artists maintain close ties to the old styles, others are evolving with contemporary flavors – proving that folk music is a living tradition.The diversity of the lineup always impresses me. Old-timey, trad folk, Celtic, blues, world music and more. They all connect.

This year, I was particularly impressed by a folk group from the Austurian region of Spain – Llan de Cubel. Playing instruments that are traditional to their culture (bagpipes, fiddle, wooden flute, Asturian and square drums), the unmistakably “Celtic” feel of the region shines through. Austurias is a principality in Northern Spain that is separated from the rest of Spain by a mountain region. The fisherman of Austurias (and also the nearby Galica) traded freely with travelers from Brittany, and there is evidence that Celts settled in the region. There is also some disagreement among musicologists that the Celtic feel to the music has been over-emphasized in modern interpretations and not indicative of the true traditions and sounds of the region. Regardless, the music of Llan de Cubel is captivating, and their stories and tunes demand attention. Check them out at – www.llandecubel.com

Be sure to keep an eye out for Finest Kind. If they are performing near you, make every effort to attend. Finest Kind is a trio from Canada that offers impressive harmonies and an impeccable selection of song. Performing together since 1991 the trio of Ian Robb, Ann Downey, and Shelley Posen were in fine shape for their mainstage appearance on Saturday evening. Starting off with a moving rendition of Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin”, Finest Kind offered an all-too short set that touched on many emotions. Shelly Posen’s song “No More Fish, No Fishermen” deserves more attention, and I will be sure to play it the next time I am on the radio. Find out more by going to

www.finestkind.caOne of the highlights of Old Songs are the numerous workshops (over 120) and participatory events. Many festival goers come with their instruments and share in sessions and classes with some of the masters. Of particular note were workshops with old-time fiddler Alan Jabbour and clawhammer banjo master Ken Perlman. Speaking of masters, no one “owns” the guitar like Beppe Gambetta. I have seen Beppe a number of times over the years, and he always astounds me with his virtuosity on the instrument as well as his warm presence on the stage.

It is always a good sign to see names like Michael Cooney, Peggy Seeger, Debby McClatchy, and Joe Hickerson on a schedule. Having one of those appear at a festival usually insures a memorable event, but to have all of them appearing in one weekend is a rare treat. Each artist lived up to their reputation and were among my highlights.

It was wonderful to see John Roberts. John was scheduled to emcee last year, but at the festival he began experiencing chest pain and ended up receiving bypass surgery. I am happy to report that

John looks and sounds as wonderful as ever. John is one of the kindest souls I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in my years hanging around folkies. This was the first time I saw John serve as emcee and he did a fabulous job. John’s choice of songs, humor, energy and charm kept the audience in their seats during breaks between acts. Having served as emcee at many concerts and festivals I know how difficult it can be, and John appeared at ease and fully in control. What a nice touch! John is a treasure.I also enjoyed a trio from Michigan – The Raisin Pickers. They did a stirring song about the Battle of Shiloh that pitted father against son. Wow! I loved the Zillionaires, a fun dance band that played a lot of pop tunes and songs. I guess I didn’t get The Wild Band of Snee. While I enjoyed their musicianship, I thought their performance lacked focus. Since they are the alter egos of Crooked Still, they are obviously clever and are having fun with the music, but I felt they were uncomfortable in their style. I will say that I am probably in the minority on this – the audience seemed to enjoy their set.The music doesn’t end on the stage. On Friday and Saturday nights immediately following the mainstage concert, a contra-dance and open sing are held. I’m not much of a dancer, so I spend most of my time at the sings. This is a tradition that should be held more frequently at these kinds of events. Festival goers gather in the Dutch Barn and take turns sharing songs. Some are well known popular songs, some are classic traditional tunes, and often there are surprises of rare gems. People bring these songs to the table to share with each other. Often you will find some of the scheduled artists showing up to join in on the fun – I noticed Jeff Warner sharing some songs one night. A wonderful way to end the day!

I urge everyone to make plans for next year – June 22, 23 & 24, 2007. Bookmark their website –

http://www.oldsongs.org .