All articles tagged with #folk music
Joe Hickerson, a renowned folk singer, songwriter, and archivist at the Library of Congress for over 25 years, passed away at age 89. He played a key role in preserving and expanding America's folk music collection, memorized hundreds of traditional songs, and was influential in the folk revival, also performing and recording his own music. His work helped keep America's folk traditions alive for future generations.
The 89th Old Fiddler's Convention in Galax, Virginia, celebrates mountain music and bluegrass with competitions, jam sessions, and traditional dances, highlighting the importance of preserving this cultural heritage despite challenges like declining participation and competition from other festivals.
The Newport Folk Festival's final day featured performances by Jeff Tweedy and Mary Chapin Carpenter, culminating in a 'Songs for the People' jam session with covers of iconic songs by Woody Guthrie, Neil Young, and The Beatles, emphasizing the festival's tradition of celebrating timeless music and community spirit.
A new album titled 'Woody at Home, Vol. 1 and 2' features 20 songs and 2 spoken interludes, including 13 previously unreleased tracks recorded by Woody Guthrie in the early 1950s using a primitive home tape recorder, offering an intimate glimpse into his songwriting process and personal style.
Willi Carlisle's album 'Winged Victory' blends traditional folk, modern covers, and original compositions, featuring diverse instruments and themes of class, childhood, and surrealism, inspired by folklore, Shakespeare, and personal stories.
Alice Brock, the inspiration behind Arlo Guthrie's iconic song "Alice's Restaurant Massacree," has passed away at 83. Brock's Massachusetts eatery and her friendship with Guthrie led to the creation of the song, which became a cultural staple and protest anthem. The song recounts a Thanksgiving incident in 1965 that resulted in Guthrie's arrest for illegal dumping, ultimately helping him avoid the Vietnam War draft. Brock's legacy includes a memoir and collaborations with Guthrie, and she was planning an exhibit at the Guthrie Center before her death.
Alice Brock, the Massachusetts restaurant owner immortalized in Arlo Guthrie's 1967 song "Alice's Restaurant," has died at 83 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Known for the antiwar song that became a Thanksgiving classic, Brock's restaurant and her role in Guthrie's life brought her unexpected fame. Despite initial discomfort with her public persona, she embraced her legacy over time. Brock later pursued painting and authored several books, including "The Alice's Restaurant Cookbook." Guthrie paid tribute to her, recalling their friendship and shared memories.
Alice Brock, the restaurant owner who inspired Arlo Guthrie's famous folk song "Alice's Restaurant," has passed away at the age of 83. Her establishment became iconic after being immortalized in Guthrie's 1967 song, which humorously recounted a Thanksgiving dinner and subsequent events. Brock's life and restaurant became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture movement.
Alice Brock, the inspiration behind Arlo Guthrie's iconic song "Alice's Restaurant Massacree," has passed away at 83. Guthrie announced her death, noting it will be the first Thanksgiving without her. Brock, a lifelong rebel and former restaurant owner, was immortalized in Guthrie's 18-minute talking blues song that became a protest classic and holiday favorite. The song recounts Guthrie's arrest for illegal dumping on Thanksgiving 1965, which led to his draft ineligibility during the Vietnam War. Brock's life and legacy were celebrated in various media, including a memoir and a children's book.
"Swept Away," a new Broadway musical featuring songs by the Avett Brothers, opened at the Longacre Theatre, offering a peculiar mix of folk music and a storyline involving cannibalism. The 90-minute show, based on a fictionalized American whaling expedition, struggles to balance its dark themes with the band's melodic tunes. Despite impressive performances, particularly by Adrian Blake Enscoe, the production's second half, set on a lifeboat, fails to captivate, leaving audiences with a strange and unsettling experience.
Folk icon Joni Mitchell, 80, made her long-awaited debut performance at the Grammy Awards, singing her 1969 hit "Both Sides, Now." Despite her legendary status and previous Grammy wins, this marked her first time performing at the prestigious event. Mitchell, who suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015, has been relearning guitar playing and recently returned to the stage after more than 20 years. Her performance at the 2024 Grammys was a historic moment and a testament to her enduring influence in music.
Joni Mitchell, an iconic singer-songwriter, is set to perform at the 2024 Grammy Awards, marking her first public performance since suffering a brain aneurysm in 2015. Nominated for best folk album, Mitchell's comeback follows her surprise appearance at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival and subsequent shows, signaling a new chapter in her career. With a remarkable history of Grammy wins spanning over 50 years, Mitchell's upcoming performance adds to her legendary musical legacy.
Melanie Safka, the folk singer who rose to fame with her performance at Woodstock in 1969 and went on to produce a string of hits in the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 76. Known for songs like "Brand New Key" and "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," she was a gentle hippie goddess to the counterculture, singing about peace and community. Despite her success, she chose to prioritize family over stardom and continued to make music occasionally throughout her life.
Folk singer Rhiannon Giddens discusses her latest solo album, "You're the One," which takes a pop-leaning approach and features all original material. Giddens explains that the album is a departure from her previous work and a way for her to explore different musical styles for her own mental health. She also reflects on her career and the evolution of her sound, from her time with the Carolina Chocolate Drops to her solo endeavors, emphasizing the importance of telling women's stories and the challenges of incorporating original songs into her music.
Hundreds of people gathered in Memorial Hall in Cincinnati to celebrate the life of Jerry Springer, the former Cincinnati mayor, talk show host, and news anchor who died on April 27. The memorial was an emotional and sometimes amusing celebration of all things Springer, including his contributions to Democratic politics, his news commentaries as a local anchor, and his friendship. The event celebrated Springer's love of music, particularly folk music, and ended with 35 musicians on stage performing some of his favorite songs.