A stunning new CD from a name out of the 1960’s Greenwich Village folk music scene prompted a discussion and look at singer-songwriters, which of course is the core of the show each week! However, this week I spent a bit of time examining the essence of the community aspect of the genre.
The new CD is from Bruce Murdoch. The name might ring a bell for some, but in all honesty, his recording history was rather sparse in comparison to others from the era and he never had the exposure of his peers. Bruce first surfaced, at least in public recognition, in 1965 when Elektra Records released an LP called “Singer Songwriter Project” that featured cuts from Bruce alongside of Patrick Sky, David Cohen (later David Blue) and most notably – Richard Farina, which made the album a collectors item until finally being reissued on CD.
Bruce, who had a strong background in literature, recorded his first full length LP in 1971 before moving back to his native Canada where he became an English teacher in Alberta and eventually a school principle in the Northwest Territories. About five years ago he began writing songs in earnest an the result is a new CD titled “Matters of the Heart”. His songs have a nice contemporary edge and are very relatable – no self-introspection that loses the listener in this collection! Bruce’s driving guitar work, always one of his trademarks, really stands out on the recording and his voice sounds great. A thoroughly enjoyable CD that I hope will receive airplay on folk radio. You can contact Bruce through his website at
www.brucemurdoch.com.
Another voice of from the 1960’s has a new CD. Joan Baez has a new collection of songs on a CD that was produced by Steve Earle. The CD is called “Day After Tomorrow”, the title of a track written by Tom Waits. I saw Joan in concert a few months ago and her delivery of this song had many in the audience, including myself, in tears. As has become her trademark, Joan Baez continues to lend her voice to some of the finest contemporary songwriters of our day.
Also new and recommended – CD’s from Scottish artist Emily Smith, a live recording from Jeff Talmadge and of course – The Refugees highly anticipated debut recording!
I also spent some time previewing the upcoming Philadelphia Folk Festival and a “tour” that Pete Seeger, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger and Guy Davis are taking of New Jersey and the region!
(Tune in to TRADITIONS every Sunday from 3 to 6pm Eastern Time
over WFDU-FM 89.1 in the NYC/Northern New Jersey area
A Sing Out! Radio Partner )
ARTIST Tune / Song
ALBUM LABEL -Website
Theme: HARVEY REID Dirty Dish Rag
Solo Guitar Sketchbook Woodpecker Records –
www.woodpecker.comTHE SHIVERS Foggy Mountain Top
Ein Abend Unter Frunden – Live in Norderstedt Bozart Records –
www.jefftalmadge.comJONATHAN BYRD The Law and the Lonesome
Letters From Sinners & Strangers Signature Sounds –
www.eilenjewell.comTHE REFUGEES Jellico Highway
If I Could Be the Rain Folk Legacy –
www.folklegacy.comTHE AMIDONS Swimming to the Other Side
Bob Gibson: The Living Legend Years Bob Gibson Legacy -www.bobgibsonlegacy.com
PETER KENNEDY Rhapsody in Blue
We’ve Got Some Singing to Do Smithsonian Folkways –
www.folkways.si.edh
BRUCE MURDOCH I Can See You Now
PETE SEEGER Sailing Down My Golden River
Gaughan Live! At the Trades Club Greentrax Recordings –
www.greentrax.com
DARRELL SCOTT Urge for Going
Courage & Patience & Grit – Great Big Sea In Concert Rounder Records –
www.greatbigsea.comRED MOLLY Wayfaring Stranger
Songs for Bright Street Wildflower –
www.amyspeace.comJUDY COLLINS Golden Apples of the Sun
Philadelphia Folk Festival 40th Anniversary Sliced Bread Records –
www.folkfest.orgTOM PAXTON Did You Hear John Hurt
Philadelphia Folk Festival 40th Anniversary Sliced Bread Records –
www.folkfest.org
ERIC ANDERSEN Thirsty Boots
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Ron Olesko
WFDU-FM
1000 River Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666
