Local talent Showcased at Festivals!

The diversity of musical talent in the Washington, DC area (and environs) was showcased at the Takoma Park Folk Festival (Sept. 12) and the H Street Festival (Sept. 18).
The Takoma Park Folk Festival, held in the town of Takoma Park, Maryland, jut outside of Washington, DC, has now been running for over thirty years. It’s a community based event, featuring performers (mostly) from the immediate Washington, DC area. There are plenty of booths for community and political groups, along with food and craft vendors., and admission to the event is free.
It’s impossible to see all of the acts one would like to see at the TPFF, since undoubtedly two artists one is interested in will be scheduled for the same time slot.
But I still managed to catch full sets by a number of good bands.
We’ll start at the beginning with The Rock River Gypsies, who started the day off with a lively blend of bluegrass and psychedelic pop. Imagine a twangy Jefferson Airplane and you’ve got the right idea. The Rock River Gypsies can be found on “My Space.”
Continuing in the “twangy” vein was the “Americana” folk-rock duo of Beth Rinaldo and Tom Holland. Nice vocal harmonies and tasty lead guitar work. Rinaldo and Holland were backed by electric bass, drums, and piano. Rinaldo and Holland recently issued a CD called “Edge of the World” which includes a great interpretation of the traditional song “Cold Rain And Snow.” Would love to hear them do more adaptations of traditional songs. Rinaldo and Holland have a “My Space” page.

Then I traveled south (metaphorically speaking) to catch the Brazilian/Argentinian  vocal /instrumental group Cantare.  Really nice jazz flavored stuff that actually had a Mediterranean flavor. Excellent lead singer from Argentina with deft instrumental support on piano, accordion, percussion, accoustic guitar, and electric bass. Each piece was introduced with a brief explanation of its origins, and since the songs were either in Portuguese or Spanish, I appreciated that. Cantare have already released several CD’s and are working on a new one.  www.cantaremusic.com

Afro-pop band Elikeh, led by singer-guitarist Massama Dogo from Togo , played a great set of dance music. Dogo himself is a passionate singer, and since I saw them last year, the group has added a snazzy three piece horn section, so their full lime-up now includes: vocals, guitar, lead guitar, electric bass, drum kit, percussion, keyboards, two saxes and trumpet. I recommend Elikeh’s new CD “Adje! Adje” released by Azalea City.  www.elikeh.com

It was tough to choose a final act to catch that day, but I would up with Anna Mwalalagho from Kenya and was not disappointed. Mwalagho is the former lead singer from Chopteeth, and she’s now got her own band, a tight, energetic unit that was great fun to dance to. Mwalagho herself is quite a dynamo on stage. “Ukweli” (The Truth) is the title of Mwalagho’s debut CD. www.annamwalagho.com

My friends in the UK will be amused to learn that I also watched members of the Foggy Bottom Morris Men teaching Americans the basics of morris dancing. There are basically two parts to this old English tradition: hitting sticks with your hands, and foot movements. All of that must be co-ordinated. Could I learn to do that ?? Hm…

The H Street NE neighborhood of Washington, DC  is due east of the UNION STATION train station and is, at this point, a sort of urban frontier. It’s the kind of place that has better days, and is no the way back up. For the past several years, neighborhood organizations have sponsored a one day street festival, and this was the first time I attended.

My main motivation was to see Alma Tropicalia, a local band inspired by the “tropicalia” (think tropical psychedelia) movement of the 1970′s. Os Mutantes from Brazil were leaders of that movement, and Alma Tropicalia covers a number of their songs. Alma Tropicalia has got the style down perfectly and as far as I know, there are no other bands in the Washington, DC area dedicated to this genre. I enjoyed Alma Tropicalia’s set (they have a great lead singer in Ana Isabel Delgado) and look forward to catching more of their gigs. They are working on a debut album and have a “My Space” page.

Also caught a set by Billy Woodward & the Senders whose blend of “Merseybeat” and country twang reminded me a little bit of English pub rock master Nick Lowe. Would like to see more of them, too.

One of the new businesses to open in the H Street NE corridor is a restaurant/pub called THE STAR AND SHAMROCK. They serve Jewish AND Irish food!! An idea whose time has definitely come!! If you’re craving “shepherd’s pie” or corned beef on rye, or both (and why not), then this is the place for you!

What’s next for “The Electric Shire?”– Takoma Park Street Festival October 3, and then RICHARD THOMPSON on October 19 at the 9:30 Club!!

The Zombies triumphant in Rockville, Maryland.

The current incarnation of legendary English pop band The Zombies put on a terrific show at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center of Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland on September 10.
Original members Rod Argent (keyboards, vocals) and Colin Blunstone (lead vocals) are now joined by Jim Rodford (bass), Steve Rodford (drums) and Tom Toomey (guitars). This may not be the original Zombies line-up, but they are really tight and put on a thoroughly professional show. And I must say that Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone have lost none of their talent over the years; they may even be better now than they were in their younger days!
Of course the show included Zombies hits like “Time Of The Season.” “She’s Not There,” and “Tell Her No.” Those all sounded as fresh as if they’d been recorded yesterday. There were also several pieces from the Zombies’ celebrated album “Odessey & Oracle” such as “A Rose For Emily” and “Beachwood Park.” There is something timeless about the best of British pop, like “Odessey & Oracle” and The Beatles’ “Penny Lane.”
Argent, Blunstone and company also played several pieces from what is to be a new Zombies album. Looking forward to that!!
Colin Blunstone demonstrated that he’s a wonderful “blue eyed soul” singer with a fantstic rendition of “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted.”
There were only three dates on this short U.S. tour and I’m really glad one of them was in the DC area.
Mr. Argent, Mr. Blunstone and company: Good luck with the new album and hope to see you again soon.
If you’re interested in Zombies material on CD, there is plenty available, including a box set titled “ZOMBIE HEAVEN” (Big Beat, UK) and a complete live concert recording of “Odessey & Oracle” called “Odessey & Oracle (Revisited).” That concert took place in London and celebrated the 40th anniversary of the original album’s release!.

Great Music This Weekend in the DC area!!

Lots of great music this weekend , starting Friday night with The Zombies, who will be appearing at Montgomery College (Robert Perilla Performing Arts Center) in Rockville, Maryland. This will be the touring line up, featuring original members Colin Blunstone (vocals) and Rod Argent (keyboards, vocals) along with Jim Rodford, Steve Rodford, and new guitarist Tom Toomey.
I’ve seen the Zombies touring band twice and enjoyed both of those shows. Blunstone’s voice and Argent’s keyboard skills are still in great shape; in fact some might say those two veteran performers sound better than ever!
The show will undoubtedly include the hits: “Time Of The Season,” “She’s Not There,” and “Tell Her No.” But there should also be songs from the Zombies’ pop masterpiece “Odyssey and Oracle” and perhaps even some new material. The Zombies’ concert will be a great night of sophisticated English pop.
Saturday from from 3:30 to 10:30 P.M. the 2010 Silver Spring Jazz Festival will be held at the new Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland.
The Aaron Neville Quartet featuring Charles Neville will be headlining. All of the other acts are from the Washington, D.C. area and include Afro-beat big band Chopteeth, Rumba Club, Marcus Johnson, and Janine Gilbert Carter.
Aaaron Neville (and his brother Charles) are of course from New Orleans’ famed Neville family. I’ve seen “The Neville Brothers” many times and always enjoyed their shows, so I’m looking forward to the Aaron Neville Quartet.
Chopteeth are an energetic big band with a full brass section. you don’t have to be familiar with African music to enjoy Chopteeth– their lively rhythms are just naturally perfect for dancing. And the brass section is sensational.
After a little bit of sleep, I’ll be heading over to Takoma Park, Maryland for the 33rd Takoma Park Folk Festival on Sunday. There will be seven stages of music and dance, showcasing the range of performers who live and work in the Washington, DC area. There will be music from around the world, along with rock’n'roll, country, and jazz. There will also be craft vendors, food, and displays from community organizations and political groups.
The Silver Spring Jazz Festival and Takoma Park Folk Festival are free events, and both are easily accessible by public transit. The jazz festival site is just a few blocks from the Silver spring METRO station, and there are free shuttle buses from the Takoma METRO station to the TPFF site.

Down the road– Billy Bragg the “bard of Barking” himself, will be at the 9:30 Club on September 19. And on October 19 (my birthday!!) the 9:30 Club will be hosting “An Evening with Richard Thompson!” Yes!! Thompson is one of my favorite performers– love his sardonic wit (couched always in elegant phrasing). Thompson has just released a new CD, “Dream Attic” and no doubt the show will include material from that as well as from all periods of his illustrious career.
Hope to see those of you in the DC at these events!!

Billy Bragg returns to 9:30 Club!/Other News

“The Bard from Barking” himself, Billy Bragg, returns to the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC September 19. In addition to great songs, I’m sure he will have some cogent comments on global politics.
Richard Thompson will be appearing at the Philadelphia Folk Festival this weekend.
Newfoundland folk-rockers Great Big Sea have released a new album “Safe Upon The Shore” (Redeye).
Brian Wilson’s new album features the “Beach Boy” himself interpreting music of George Gershwin. Hm…

Tribute To The “British Invasion” Fab!!

Bandhouse Gigs is an organization that produces “tribute” shows featuring the many talented musicians based in the Washington, DC area.
Bandhouse’s latest project was a fantastic tribute to the music of the early 1960′s “British Invasion” (Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dave Clark 5, The Animals, etc etc) which took place at the “The Music Center at Strathmore” in north Bethesda, Maryland Aug. 11 and 12. I attended on the 11th and was absolutely blown away!!
The program began with a short film of a teenager listening to his radio and then three men playing the parts of “The Beatles” appeared on stage and did note perfect recreations of “She Loves You” and “Please Please Me.”
As great as that was, the most fascinating part of the show was that a number of the performers offered really different versions of well known songs. For example, the acapella men’s choir Tone Rangers did fantastic versions of three Herman’s Hermits songs. Eric Brace & Last Train Home brought a little twang to “Ferry Cross the Mersey.” And I loved Patti Reese’s version of the early Moody Blues tune “Go Now.”
Julia Nixon belted out a great version of Petula Clark’s “I Know A Place” and Margot MacDonald sang “As Tears Go By” accompanied by a string quartet. Lovely. Singer/keyboardist Jon Caroll, backed by a band including a fulkl horn section and female backing singers, gave us a soulful version of “I Can’t Get No (Satisfaction).”
The evening finished off with the entire cast on stage for “All You Need Is Love.” Very appropriate, as there was a great spirit in that room. Both the performers on stage and the audience had a great time.
Credits to everyone involved for a wonderful evening!
Bandhouse’s next live concert will be a tribute to The Byrds– March 25, 2011 at The Barns of Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA.

GALACTIC rocks the 9:30 Club!!

So– my first “review” on this blog is not about British folk-rock, but about a great band from “The Big Easy” called GALACTIC who rocked the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. last night.  They’re a fusion of rock and jazz with a strong flavor of New Orleans brass band and traditional rhythm & blues. Great rhythm section and outstanding sax and keyboards.  Guesting with the core band were the legendary Cyril Neville (The Neville Brothers) and trumpeter Corey Henry (Rebirth Brass Band). But they were the announced guests. Ivan Neville also turned up, and he’s as great a keyboardist as his father Art. And yet another Neville appeared. a fantastic young guitarist whose name I believe is Ian. What an incredible family!!

I’ve never been to New Orleans, but have enjoyed live performances and recordings by The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Allan Toussaint, The Dixie Cups, The New Orleans Klezmer All Stars, and many others.  But know I realise that an  in person trip to “The Big Easy” is definitely in order.

Greetings From “The Electric Shire”/Introduction

Welcome to “The Electric Shire.” I am your host, Ken Roseman. I will be writing  (mostly) about music– but be warned there may be political comments from time to time– can’t help that– I feel passionately about environmental preservation, civil liberties, and other issues.

My main field of interest is British folk/folk-rock , but you can also expect to see comments about “world music,” British pop, New Orleans music, and anything else that takes my fancy.

Short bio: I have been writing about music since the mid 1970′s. Presently I am a regular contributor to SING OUT! magazine and generally have about 10 CD reviews in each issue. I have contributed to many other periodicals over the years, and also done booklet notes for CD’s. I also have entries  in several reference books.

I am new to the “blogosphere,” so please be patient while I learn exactly how this process works.

See you again soon.

Peace– Ken.

Ken wakes

Ken is here…wherever that is. Ken will write more…