Killer punchlines
 Look into the eyes of this attractive and rather worried looking young woman. What sad story do you see? What tale of despair and dreams gone bad? What demons? What lost angels?  What, you donât see any of … Continue reading →
National Endowment for the Arts recipients announced
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced the 2012 recipients of the United Statesâ highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. The NEA National Heritage Fellows recognizes folk and traditional artists for their artistic excellence and efforts to … Continue reading →
Frank’s Wild Years
Look at the eyes of this cute and rather worried looking chihuahua. What sad story do you see? What tale of despair and dreams gone bad? What demons? What lost angels? If you donât already know from the title of … Continue reading →
Two Sisters – Addendum 1
Sheila Kay Adams is a keeper of songs and stories that stretch back hundreds of years, and an American treasure. Â Most folkies know her name, but if youâre not familiar with her and youâre developing a love for traditional American … Continue reading →
Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam…
Found Drowned â George Frederick Watts, 1867 All right folks.  I promised after five separate posts over six months concerning the ballad âTwo Sistersâ (aka Child 10, aka Roud 8, akaâŚ) that this time Iâd have something meaningful to say … Continue reading →
MARIA MULDAUR: Steady Love
    MARIA MULDAUR Steady Love Stony Plain 1346 www.stonyplainrecords.com  With the exception of a stunning makeover of blues poet Percy Mayfieldâs signature song âPlease Send Me Someone To Love,â all thirteen tracks on Muldaurâs latest were … Continue reading →
Two Sisters Redux – Part 2
detail from Twa Sisters â quilt by Dan Willig So, as I introduced in my first post this week, Iâm trying to add some depth and variety to my first series of entries from six months ago on the ballad known as Child … Continue reading →
CECILIA: In Bad
    CECILIA In Bad Appel 1331 www.tsmiske.be/stek8/appel/appelstart.aspx  The debut from Belgian trio Cecilia positively hums with energy and invention. Originally a duo of flute/cornet and hurdy-gurdy/cittern, they were joined by diatonic accordion player Greet Wuyts, a … Continue reading →
Two Sisters Redux – Part 1
detail from Twa Sisters â quilt by Dan Willig Six months ago, my first post for this blog dealt with the ancient murder ballad âTwo Sistersâ, also known as âWind and Rainâ as well as several other names.  Iâm happy with the … Continue reading →
So died these men as became Athenians
James Chaneyâs mother, Fannie Lee Chaney, and his brother, Ben Now, having moved through a discussion of a number of musical responses to the Freedom Summer murders, Iâd like to go back to âThoseThree Are On My Mind,â and think … Continue reading →