APRIL 8 RELEASE TO COINCIDE WITH BROOKLYN FOLK FEST
Brooklyn’s Jalopy Records has rebooted its homegrown folk music record
label with a brand new release, 'Lost Train Blues: John & Alan Lomax
and the Early Folk Music Collections at the Library of Congress.' This
collection, curated by Brooklyn Folk Festival producer Eli Smith, was
compiled for the centennial of famed folklorist Alan Lomax’s birth. It
will be released on vinyl and via digital download on April 8,
coinciding with opening night of the Brooklyn Folk Festival. Twelve of the songs are never-before-released.
The record features 22 selections from the vast holdings of the American
Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, most of them have never
been issued before. The record includes work songs, ballads, blues,
political and union songs, guitar, banjo and fiddle music and Native
American vocal music. These recordings were made between 1933 and 1950
and represent the birth of the folk music collections at the Library of
Congress, now the largest repository of folk and enthographic holdings
in the world. The record demonstrates the groundbreaking work of Alan
Lomax and his father John Lomax, but also places them with the context
of other important early field workers.
The deluxe record includes liner notes by Alan Lomax archive curator
Nathan Salsburg, as well as a 14 page booklet with photographs and
original research about each song, artist and folklorist. The cover
features an original lithograph by artist Jeff Tocci. Each selection
has been retransferred from original discs and tapes at the Library of
Congress and has been carefully remastered by sound engineer Don Fierro
for the best possible audio fidelity.
Jalopy Records has partnered with well known Oregon based vinyl label
Mississippi Records to manufacture and distribute this and future
releases. Jalopy Records is the record label of the Jalopy Theatre and
School of Music, a grass roots cultural center for traditional music,
located in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Side A:
1. WPA Song by Clyde “Kingfish” Smith. Recorded by Herbert Halpert, NYC, 29 November 1939.
2. Longest Train I Ever Saw by Jesse Wadley, with John Wadley, Will
Jones, and Felix Davenport. Recorded by John Lomax with Lead Belly
acting as First Assistant (Alan sick with influenza), Bellwood Prison
Camp, Atlanta, GA,11-12 December 1934.
3. The Moonshiner by Dawson Henson. Recorded by Alan Lomax and Elizabeth
Lyttleton Harold, Botto on Billy’s Branch, KY, 11 October 1937.
4. Stavin’ Chain by Wilson “Stavin’ Chain” Jones, Charles Gobert and
Octave Amos. Recorded by John and Alan Lomax, Lafayette, LA, June 1934.
5. Unfortunate Dog or Stony Point by Jess Morris. Recorded by John Lomax, Dallas, TX, May 1942
6. Leather Breeches by Carl Lathrop. Recorded by Alan Lomax, St. Louis, MI, 22 August 1938.
7. Lost Train Blues by Fred Perry and Glenn Carver. Recorded by John and
Ruby Lomax, Florida State Farm (Raiford Penitentiary), Raiford, FL, 4
June 1939.
8. The Hard-Working Miner (Only a Miner) by James “Blind Jim” Howard.
Recorded by John and Alan Lomax, Harlan County, KY, August 1933.
9. St. James Infirmary by Jesse Wadley. Recorded by John Lomax, Bellwood Prison Camp, Atlanta, GA, 11-12 December 1934.
10. Lamp Lighting Time in the Valley by Ruby and Oliver Hughes. Recorded
by Sidney Robertson Cowell, Crossville, TN, 23 November 1936.
11. Cherokee Christian Hymn by Helen, Luella and Juanita Hallmark.
Recorded by Willard Rhodes, Eufala Boarding School, Eufala, OK, 1952.
12. My One-Eyed Ford by Boys Chorus of the Santa Fe Indian School.
Recorded by Willard Rhodes, Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe, NM, 1940.
Side B:
1. Captain Haney Blues by Camp Morris and Group. Recorded by John and
Ruby Lomax, Cherokee County, GA near Canton, November 1940.
2. Southern Rag by James Sneed, J.F. Duffey and Alvin Sanders. Recorded
by Lewis Wade Jones and Willis James, Fort Valley State College, Fort
Valley, GA, 5-7 March 1943
3. Turkey in the Straw by Elmo and Bill Newcomer. Recorded by John and
Ruby Lomax, Bandera County, TX near Pipe Creek, 3 May 1939.
4. Rye Whiskey by Elmo Newcomer. Recorded by John and Ruby Lomax, Bandera County, TX near Pipe Creek, 3 May 1939.
5. Desert Blues by Hattie Ellis and (“Cowboy”) Jack Ramsey. Recorded by
John and Ruby Lomax, The Goree State Farm for Women, Walker County, TX
near Huntsville, 14 May 1939.
6. Hard Times by Rowena Knight, Mary Anne Knight, Thelma Hawthorne and
Jerusha Hawthorne (Liberty High School Quartet). Recorded by John and
Ruby Lomax, Newtown, TX, 16 May 1939.
7. I Don’t Want Your Millions Mister by Tillman Cadle. Recorded by Alan
Lomax and Elizabeth Lyttleton Harold, Middlesboro, KY, 4 September 1937.
8. Battle in the Horseshoe by J.W. Russell. Recorded by Sidney Robertson Cowell, Marion, VA, 14 November 1936.
9. Travelin’ To That New Buryin’ Ground by Hammer Clarence Banks, Bob
Bentley, Charlie Blake, Harold Vosburg. Recorded by John Lomax, Alan
Lomax and Lead Belly, Reid State Farm, Boykin, SC, 19 December 1934.
10. Roosevelt and Hitler by Buster “Buzz” Ezell. Recorded by Lewis Wade
Jones and Willis James, Fort Valley State College, Fort Valley, GA, 1
August 1943
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
FRANK FAIRFIELD TO PLAY RARE SET AT BROOKLYN FOLK FEST
Frank Fairfield – who rarely performs in public anymore – will play at
the Brooklyn Folk Festival, which is set to run April 8-10 at St. Ann’s
Church in Brooklyn Heights. Pitchfork called the banjo and fiddle
player, singer, songwriter, and native Californian “a remarkable
performer” and his original songs “tremendous achievements,” continuing,
“he’s an evocative writer and his own stories to share…. Fairfield’s
music seems inexorably real and entirely necessary.” The artist has
opened for the Fleet Foxes and will appear in the forthcoming PBS series
American Epic. Here is his NPR Tiny Desk Concert.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
JULIE RHODES TO STORM SXSW AMIDST COMPARISONS TO ETTA JAMES, PREDICTIONS OF A LONG CAREER
Julie Rhodes will play three SXSW showcases as she is earning incredible
reviews, comparisons to some all-time great likes Etta James, and
predictions of a long career and a rapid rise:
Thursday – Stiles Switch BBQ – 6pm - 6610 N Lamar Blvd.
Thursday – Love Goat – 7:30pm - 2716 Guadalupe St.
Saturday - Goorin’ Bros Hat Shop – 4pm - 1323 S Congress Ave.
In addition to spotlights in Paste Magazine, the Boston Herald, Elmore, The Bluegrass Situation, SIRIUS XM and bookings on radio shows Music City Roots, Blue Plate Special, and Beale Street Caravan, ‘Bound to Meet the Devil’ is earning raves:
Pop Matters ran a Q&A, a track premiere, and a 9-star review, saying “Exhibiting a combination of talent, soul, and grit often unmatched by debuting artists, Julie Rhodes seems poised to become a mainstay in the Americana blues music scene for years to come.”
American Songwriter said that she is "the real deal," continuing, "this is just the promising start of a career”: https://americansongwriter.
No Depression called her show a “powerful performance,” continuing, “The magic that poured from the stage was intense and incredible!”
Downbeat called her "a natural talent."
The Knoxville News-Sentinel compared her to Etta James and said, “Julie Rhodes is a rare find… Rhodes’ songs are strong… There's an ease and confidence to her vocal style. She doesn't need to show off by screaming and shouting or, worst of all, proving her range and technique on every song… Rhodes is the kind of performer modern music is lacking.”
Glide Mag said, “Her voice, though uniquely her own, can best be described as the love child of Janis Joplin, Adele and Etta James. The entire set was nothing short of evangelical.”
Her hometown blog Vanyland said, “There’s a lady who’s causing a stir with a voice that wails and can take over a room in a split-second… Get down with what will be one of the best albums to come out of New England in 2016 and enjoy.”
Other tour dates:
March 14 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East
March 15 - Nashville, TN - Meal Ticket
March 16 - Memphis, TN - Bar DKDC
March 20 - Fort Worth, TX - The Grotto
March 22 - Nashville, TN - The 5 Spot
March 22 - Nashville, TN - The Basement
March 23 - Franklin, TN - Music City Roots
March 24 - Nashville, TN - Wilburn Street Tavern
March 26 - Atlanta, GA - Easterfest at Gun Street Goods
April 1 - Gloucester, MA - Katrina's
April 30 - Cambridge, MA - Lizard Lounge
Thursday – Stiles Switch BBQ – 6pm - 6610 N Lamar Blvd.
Thursday – Love Goat – 7:30pm - 2716 Guadalupe St.
Saturday - Goorin’ Bros Hat Shop – 4pm - 1323 S Congress Ave.
In addition to spotlights in Paste Magazine, the Boston Herald, Elmore, The Bluegrass Situation, SIRIUS XM and bookings on radio shows Music City Roots, Blue Plate Special, and Beale Street Caravan, ‘Bound to Meet the Devil’ is earning raves:
Pop Matters ran a Q&A, a track premiere, and a 9-star review, saying “Exhibiting a combination of talent, soul, and grit often unmatched by debuting artists, Julie Rhodes seems poised to become a mainstay in the Americana blues music scene for years to come.”
American Songwriter said that she is "the real deal," continuing, "this is just the promising start of a career”: https://americansongwriter.
No Depression called her show a “powerful performance,” continuing, “The magic that poured from the stage was intense and incredible!”
Downbeat called her "a natural talent."
The Knoxville News-Sentinel compared her to Etta James and said, “Julie Rhodes is a rare find… Rhodes’ songs are strong… There's an ease and confidence to her vocal style. She doesn't need to show off by screaming and shouting or, worst of all, proving her range and technique on every song… Rhodes is the kind of performer modern music is lacking.”
Glide Mag said, “Her voice, though uniquely her own, can best be described as the love child of Janis Joplin, Adele and Etta James. The entire set was nothing short of evangelical.”
Her hometown blog Vanyland said, “There’s a lady who’s causing a stir with a voice that wails and can take over a room in a split-second… Get down with what will be one of the best albums to come out of New England in 2016 and enjoy.”
Other tour dates:
March 14 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East
March 15 - Nashville, TN - Meal Ticket
March 16 - Memphis, TN - Bar DKDC
March 20 - Fort Worth, TX - The Grotto
March 22 - Nashville, TN - The 5 Spot
March 22 - Nashville, TN - The Basement
March 23 - Franklin, TN - Music City Roots
March 24 - Nashville, TN - Wilburn Street Tavern
March 26 - Atlanta, GA - Easterfest at Gun Street Goods
April 1 - Gloucester, MA - Katrina's
April 30 - Cambridge, MA - Lizard Lounge
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
FOLKIES TO HURL BANJOS INTO GOWANUS CANAL AT BROOKLYN FOLK FEST
APRIL 10 COMPETITION MERGES MUSIC, SPORTS, MURKY WATER
When the Brooklyn Folk Festival returns to St. Anne's Church in April, it'll include what's become one of the annual event's most popular traditions: the legendary banjo toss.
"The banjo toss is a world famous epic event, looked forward to by millions desperate for catharsis!," jokes festival founder and producer Eli Smith, who first launched the first Brooklyn Folk Festival in 2009. A longtime banjo player himself, Smith also performs with the Down Hill Strugglers, an old-time string band that will perform at the Brooklyn Folk Festival with special guest John Cohen.
Hailed by The Associated Press for giving "new meaning to the term heavy metal," the banjo toss takes place at the Gowanus Canal, a waterway that once served as a major transportation route for Brooklyn's factories, tanneries and mills. Taking place on Sunday, April 10th — the final afternoon of the three-day festival, most of which takes place at St. Anne's Church on Montague Street — the event brings dozens of competitors to the canal's shoreline in South Brooklyn, with all participants taking turns throwing a banjo into the murky water. The farthest toss wins, with last year's prize-winning throw measuring a whopping 85 feet. Winners take home a free banjo.
Here's a video recap of the 2015 festival that includes footage of the banjo toss.
The banjo toss also brings some needed attention to the Gowanus Canal, whose once-busy waters have become the source of pollution over the past half-century. In the years immediately following World War I, it was America's busiest commercial canal, with more than six million tons of cargo being shipped along its waters every year. With all that activity came a severe level of contamination, though. There isn't much recreation alongside the canal these days, making the banjo toss all the more unique. Rubber gloves are provided for contestants.
This year's banjo toss will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 10th, with all competitors and onlookers encouraged to meet at the intersection of Smith and 9th Street before parading with a live banjo toss jug band band to the so-called "banjo tossing arena."
When the Brooklyn Folk Festival returns to St. Anne's Church in April, it'll include what's become one of the annual event's most popular traditions: the legendary banjo toss.
"The banjo toss is a world famous epic event, looked forward to by millions desperate for catharsis!," jokes festival founder and producer Eli Smith, who first launched the first Brooklyn Folk Festival in 2009. A longtime banjo player himself, Smith also performs with the Down Hill Strugglers, an old-time string band that will perform at the Brooklyn Folk Festival with special guest John Cohen.
Hailed by The Associated Press for giving "new meaning to the term heavy metal," the banjo toss takes place at the Gowanus Canal, a waterway that once served as a major transportation route for Brooklyn's factories, tanneries and mills. Taking place on Sunday, April 10th — the final afternoon of the three-day festival, most of which takes place at St. Anne's Church on Montague Street — the event brings dozens of competitors to the canal's shoreline in South Brooklyn, with all participants taking turns throwing a banjo into the murky water. The farthest toss wins, with last year's prize-winning throw measuring a whopping 85 feet. Winners take home a free banjo.
Here's a video recap of the 2015 festival that includes footage of the banjo toss.
The banjo toss also brings some needed attention to the Gowanus Canal, whose once-busy waters have become the source of pollution over the past half-century. In the years immediately following World War I, it was America's busiest commercial canal, with more than six million tons of cargo being shipped along its waters every year. With all that activity came a severe level of contamination, though. There isn't much recreation alongside the canal these days, making the banjo toss all the more unique. Rubber gloves are provided for contestants.
This year's banjo toss will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 10th, with all competitors and onlookers encouraged to meet at the intersection of Smith and 9th Street before parading with a live banjo toss jug band band to the so-called "banjo tossing arena."
Monday, March 7, 2016
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