The Pursuit of Folk

Natural Beardy is the Place To Be.

2011-02-12T10:51:00.000-08:00

There's no time to waste, go check out our new music blog Natural Beardy!

Seriously, get on it!

www.naturalbeardy.com

There's no time to waste, go check out our new music blog Natural Beardy!

Seriously, get on it!

www.naturalbeardy.com

2011-02-08T15:30:00.001-08:00

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

what is folk music?

2011-01-30T22:13:00.001-08:00

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WHAT IS FOLK MUSIC ::
Origins and definitions

Throughout most of human prehistory and history, listening to recorded music was not possible, and the work of economic production was often manual and communal. Music was made by common people during both their work and leisure. Manual labour often included singing by the workers, which served several practical purposes. It reduced the boredom of repetitive tasks, it kept the rhythm during synchronized pushes and pulls, and it set the pace of many activities such as planting, weeding, reaping, threshing, weaving, and milling. In leisure time, singing and playing musical instruments were common forms of entertainment and history-telling—even more common than today, when electrically enabled technologies and widespread literacy make other forms of entertainment and information-sharing competitive.^[2]

The terms folk music, folk song, and folk dance are comparatively recent expressions. They are extensions of the term folk lore, which was coined in 1846 by the English antiquarianWilliam Thoms to describe "the traditions, customs, and superstitions of the uncultured classes."^[3] The term is further derived from the German expression Volk, in the sense of "the people as a whole" as applied to popular and national music by Johann Gottfried Herder and the German Romantics over half a century earlier.^[4]

Indians always distinguished between classical and folk music, although in the past even classical Indian music used to rely on the unwritten transmission of repertoire.

A literary interest in the popular ballad was not new: it dates back to Thomas Percy and William Wordsworth. English Elizabethan and Stuart composers had often evolved their music from folk themes, the classical suite was based upon stylised folk-dances and Joseph Haydn's use of folk melodies is noted. But the emergence of the term "folk" coincided with an "outburst of national feeling all over Europe" that was particularly strong at the edges of Europe, where national identity was most asserted. Nationalist composers emerged in Eastern Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, Spain and Britain: the music of Dvorak, Smetana, Grieg, Rimsky-Korsakov, Brahms, Liszt, de Falla, Wagner, Sibelius,Vaughan Williams, Bartók and many others drew upon folk melodies. The English term "folklore", to describe traditional music and dance, entered the vocabulary of many continental European nations, each of which had its folk-song collectors and revivalists.^[3]

However, despite the assembly of an enormous body of work over some two centuries, there is still no certain definition of what folk music (or folklore, or the folk) is.^[5] Folk music may tend to have certain characteristics^[3] but it cannot clearly be differentiated in purely musical terms. One meaning often given is that of "old songs, with no known composers",^[6] another is that of music that has been submitted to an evolutionary "process of oral transmission.... the fashioning and re-fashioning of the music by the community that give it its folk character."^[7]Such definitions depend upon "(cultural) processes rather than abstract musical types...", upon "continuity and oral transmission...seen as characterizing one side of a cultural dichotomy, the other side of which is found not only in the lower layers of feudal, capitalist and some oriental societies but also in 'primitive' societies and in parts of 'popular cultures'."^[8]

Locations in Southern and Central Appalachia visited by the British folklorist Cecil Sharp in 1916 (blue), 1917 (green), and 1918 (red). Sharp sought "old world" English and Scottish ballads passed down to the region's inhabitants from their British ancestors. He collected hundreds of such ballads, the most productive areas being the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and the Cumberland Mountains of Kentucky.

For Scholes,^[3] as for Cecil Sharp and Béla Bartók,^[9] there was a sense of the music of the country as distinct from that of the town. Folk music was already "seen as the authentic expression of a way of life now past or about to disappear (or in some cases, to be preserved or somehow revived),"^[10] particularly in "a community uninfluenced by art music"^[7] and by commercial and printed song. Lloyd rejected this in favour of a simple distinction of economic class^[9] yet for him too folk music was, in Charles Seeger's words, "associated with a lower class in societies which are culturally and socially stratified, that is, which have developed an elite, and possibly also a popular, musical culture." In these terms folk music may be seen as part of a "schema comprising four musical types: 'primitive' or 'tribal'; 'elite' or 'art'; 'folk'; and 'popular'."^[11]

Revivalists' opinions differed over the origins of folk music: it was said by some to be art music changed and probably debased by oral transmission, by others to reflect the character of the race that produced it.^[3] Traditionally, the cultural transmission of folk music is through playing by ear, although notation may also be used. The competition of individual and collective theories of composition set different demarcations and relations of folk music with the music of tribal societies on the one hand and of "art" and "court" music on the other. The traditional cultures that did not rely upon written music or had less social stratification could not be readily categorised. In the proliferation of popular music genres, some music became categorised as "World music" and "Roots music".

The post-World War II folk revival in America and in Britain brought a new meaning to the word. Folk was seen as a musical style, the ethical antithesis of commercial "popular" or "pop" music, while the Victorian appeal of the "Volk" was often regarded with suspicion. The popularity of "contemporary folk" recordings caused the appearance of the category "Folk" in the Grammy Awards of 1959: in 1970 the term was dropped in favour of "Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording (including Traditional Blues)", while 1987 brought a distinction between "Best Traditional Folk Recording" and "Best Contemporary Folk Recording". The term "folk", by the start of the 21st century, could cover "singer song-writers, such as Donovan and Bob Dylan, who emerged in the 1960s and much more"^[6] or perhaps even "a rejection of rigid boundaries, preferring a conception, simply of varying practice within one field, that of 'music'."^[11]

[edit]Africa

Main article: Music of Africa

[edit]Asia

Paban Das Baul, baul singer at Nine Lives concert, 2009.

Many Asian civilisations distinguish between art/court/classical styles and "folk" music, though cultures that do not depend greatly upon notation and have much anonymous art music must distinguish the two in different ways from those suggested by western scholars. For example the lateAlam Lohar is a good example of a classical South Asian folk singer of great repute.^{[citation needed]}

[edit]Europe and North America

[edit]Celtic traditional music

[edit]Eastern Europe

[edit]Balkan music

[edit]Nordic folk music

[edit]Notable venues

It is sometimes claimed that the earliest folk festival was the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, 1928, in Asheville, North Carolina, founded by Bascom Lamar Lunsford. Sidmouth Festival began in 1954, and Cambridge Folk Festival began in 1965. The Cambridge Folk Festival in Cambridge, England is noted for having a very wide definition of who can be invited as folk musicians. The "club tents" allow attendees to discover large numbers of unknown artists, who, for ten or 15 minutes each, present their work to the festival audience.

Folk music is still popular among some audiences today, with folk music clubs meeting to share traditional-style songs, and there are major folk music festivals in many countries, e.g. the Woodford Folk Festival, National Folk Festival and Port Fairy Folk Festival are amongst Australia's largest major annual events, attracting top international folk performers as well as many local artists. This includes the music of Americana, Naturalismo, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Devendra Banhart and others.

Anti-folk now has a home at the Antihootenany in the East Village, where artists like Beck, Regina Spektor, the Moldy Peaches and Nellie McKay got their starts.

[edit]Latin America

See also: Andean music, Cueca, and Nueva canción

[edit]European folk revival

The first folk revival influenced western classical music. Such composers as Percy Grainger, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Béla Bartók, made field recordings or transcriptions of folk singers and musicians.

In Spain Isaac Albéniz (1860–1909) produced piano works reflect his Spanish heritage, including the Suite Iberia (1906–1909). Enrique Granados (1867–1918) composed zarzuela, Spanish light opera, and Danzas Españolas - Spanish Dances. Manuel de Falla (1876–1946) became interested in the cante jondo of Andalusian flamenco, the influence of which can be strongly felt in many of his works, which include Nights in the Gardens of Spain and Siete canciones populares españolas ("Seven Spanish Folksongs", for voice and piano). Composers such as Fernando Sor and Francisco Tarrega established the guitar as Spain's national instrument. Modern Spanish Folk artists abound (Mil i Maria, Russian Red et al.) modernizing whilst respecting the traditions of their forebears.

Flamenco grew in popularity through the 20th century, as did northern styles such as the Celtic music of Galicia. French classical composers, from Bizet to Ravel, also drew upon Spanish themes, and distinctive Spanish genres became universally recognised.

[edit]Folk revival of the 1950s in Britain and America

Woody Guthrie

While the Romantic nationalism of the folk revival had its greatest influence on art-music, the "second folk revival" of the later 20th century brought a new genre of popular music with artists marketed by amplified concerts, recordings and broadcasting. The AmericanWoody Guthrie collected folk music in the 1930s and 1940s and also composed his own songs, as did Pete Seeger. In the 1930s Jimmie Rodgers, in the 1940s Burl Ives and in the 1950s Seeger's group The Weavers, Harry Belafonte, The Kingston Trio, and The Limelitersfound a popularity that culminated in the Hootenanny television series^[15] and the associated magazine ABC-TV Hootenanny in 1963–1964. Sing Out! magazine helped spread both traditional and composed songs, as did folk-revival-oriented record companies.

In the United Kingdom, the folk revival fostered young artists like The Watersons, Martin Carthy and Roy Bailey and a generation of singer-songwriters such as Bert Jansch, Ralph McTell, Donovan and Roy Harper. Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Tom Paxton visited Britain for some time in the early 1960s, the first two, particularly, making later use of the traditional English material they heard.

In 1950 Alan Lomax came to Britain and met A.L.'Bert' Lloyd and Ewan MacColl, a meeting credited as inaugurating the second British folk revival. In London the colleagues opened The Ballads and Blues Club, eventually renamed the Singers' Club, possibly the first folk club: it closed in 1991. As the 1950s progressed into the 1960s, the folk revival movement built up in both Britain and America.

In the 1960s, folk singers and songwriters such as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Tom Paxton followed in Guthrie's footsteps, writing "protest music" and topical songs and expressing support for the American Civil Rights Movement. The Canadians Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Cockburn and Joni Mitchell were all invested with the Order of Canada. Dylan's use of electric instruments helped inaugurate the genres of folk rock and country rock, particularly by his album John Wesley Harding and his support for the music of The Band. Many of the acid rock bands of San Francisco began by playing acoustic folk and blues.

The late 1960s saw the advent of electric folk groups, a key moment being the release of Fairport Convention's album Liege and Lief. Guitarist Richard Thompson declared that the music of The Band demanded a corresponding "English Electric" style, while bassist Ashley Hutchings formed Steeleye Span in order to pursue a wholly traditional repertoire. In the second half of the 1990s, once more, folk music made an impact on the mainstream music via a younger generation of artists such as Eliza Carthy, Kate Rusby and Spiers and Boden.

[edit]Popular subgenres

Contemporary country music descends ultimately from a rural American folk tradition, but has evolved. Bluegrass music is a professional development of American old time music, intermixed with blues and jazz. Exponents of electric folk music such as Fairport Convention, Pentangle, Alan Stivell, Mr. Fox and Steeleye Span saw electrification of traditional musical forms as a means to reach a far wider audience. Traditional folk music merged with rock and roll to form folk rock performers such as The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel and The Mamas & the Papas. Since the 1970s a genre of "contemporary folk" fueled by new singer-songwriters has continued with such artists as Chris Castle, Steve Goodman, and John Prine.The Pogues and Ireland's The Corrs brought traditional tunes back into the album charts.

In the 1980s artists like Phranc and The Knitters propagated cowpunk or folk punk, which eventually evolved into alt country. More recently the same spirit has been embraced and expanded on by performers such as Dave Alvin, Miranda Stone and Steve Earle.

Hard rock and heavy metal bands such as Korpiklaani, Skyclad, Waylander and Finntroll meld elements from a wide variety of traditions, including in many cases instruments such asfiddles, tin whistles, accordions and bagpipes. Folk metal often favours pagan-inspired themes. Black metal and Viking metal are defined on their folk stance, incorporating folk interludes into albums (e.g., Bergtatt and Kveldssanger, the first two albums by once-black metal, now-experimental band Ulver).

Filk music can be considered folk music stylistically and culturally (though the 'community' it arose from, science fiction fandom, is an unusual and thoroughly modern one).^[16] Neofolkbegan in the 1980s, fusing traditional European folk music with post-industrial music, historical topics, philosophical commentary, traditional songs and paganism. The genre is largely European.

Anti folk, began in New York City in the 1980s. Folk punk, known in its early days as rogue folk, is a fusion of folk music and punk rock. It was pioneered by the London-based Irish band The Pogues in the 1980s. Radical folk of the present claims to tackle age old political issues such as workers rights and capital punishment. It is represented by groups such as such as The Last Internationale of New York.

Other subgenres include:

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2011-01-30T22:10:00.000-08:00

WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!WE HAVE MOVED!

seriously, come check it out here:

www.naturalbeardy.com

WE HAVE MOVED to a new URL - CHECK IT OUT!

2011-01-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

GET ON OVER TO www.naturalbeardy.com!!!

NEW POSTS ARE FLYIN LIKE HOTCAKES!

NEW POST! Best music of 2010

2010-12-23T11:39:00.000-08:00

GO TO NATURAL BEARDY, my new blog!!!

WE HAVE MOVED!!!

2010-09-06T23:31:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true, The Pursuit of Folk has relocated!
From now on you can find me posting at www.NaturalBeardy.com

Don't worry, its the same content with a revamped look. If you have followed me in the past or have linked to the pursuit of folk, please make the proper changes. Thanks!

Check out the new site: Natural Beardy

NEW BLOG NAME :: Natural Beardy

2010-09-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

The new name for The Pursuit of Folk is...

NATURAL BEARDY

(www.naturalbeardy.com)

Same content, different name / URL!

The new site is still in the works.

http://www.naturalbeardy.com

Shareef Ali and The Radical Folksonomy :: The Once and Future Boyfriend

2010-08-31T22:26:00.000-07:00

Shareef Ali and The Radical Folksonomy released their debut EP The Once & Future Boyfriend on Wednesday, September 1st. You can buy the EP directly from their official bandcamp or in person at the Hotel Utah in San Francisco. Preview this track and please support this artist. A full length review of their EP is in the works. Enjoy

MP3: Come Closer

Myspace | Facebook | Official

Still working...

2010-08-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

Still working.... and again, I apologize for the lull around here.

Here are some links to check out for future blog material:

Julie Doiron:
http://www.myspace.com/juliedoiron

Herman Dune:
http://www.myspace.com/therealhermandune

Timber Timbre:
http://www.myspace.com/timbertimbre

Hold tight... Updates are coming soon!

Ben Sollee :: Ditch the Van Tour 2010

2010-08-19T23:44:00.000-07:00

Official | Myspace

On August 18th, equipped with only his bicycle, cello, and bare essentials, Ben Sollee embarked on yet another pedal powered regional tour. The 25 performances on Ditch the Van Tour 2010 not only serve to promote Sollee's music, but also biking as a viable form of transportation. After last year's eight-performce, one-the-way to Bonnoroo bike tour, Sollee decided to spend a portion of his touring each year on a bicycle. While many may think this is a ridiculous way to tour the country, Sollee couldn't disagree more, believing that conventional air, bus, or van tours move a a pace that is completely unnatural. Some artists may try to hop from plane to plane to squeeze a few extra performances into a busy tour, and all the while, Ben Sollee is cruising at a comfortable 13 mph, rolling up and down the hills from town to town, feeling the burn and satisfaction of pedal-powered transportation. That's not to say this is any easy task. The weight of his load is reportedly around 60 pounds plus the weight of the bike, and despite the extra work load of a bicycle tour, Sollee loves it.

Regardless of your environmental position, you have to admit the concept of the tour is downright badass. I can't think of a better way to slow down the life of a touring artist than to hit the road on bike.

Watch more about Ben Sollee and the bike tours:

Ben Sollee @ Bonnaroo 2009 from Palestra Creative

Change is coming....

2010-08-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

New Website, url, and name is in the works.... so the updates have been coming a little less frequently than normal.

Bear with me now, and things will get better!

Kurt Vile - God Is Saying This To You?

2010-08-08T23:06:00.000-07:00

Listen While You Read: Download

Kurt Vile Myspace

Kurt Vile is a guitarist and singer from Philadelphia. He leads in the band The War On Drugs and also has a burgeoning solo career under his own name. Though not strictly a folk musician, Vile released a 2009 psych-folk album called God Is Saying This To You? This record was mostly overlooked by those more interested in his more aggressive rock album also released in 2009 called Childish Prodigy. Personally, I enjoy the cleaner, Jim James reverb infused production of God Is Saying This To You?

Vile has a unique way of sounding incredibly likable without becoming overly catchy or just another singer-songwriter. This record definitely falls under the Lo-Fi category with most of the tracks having been recording by himself in his own makeshift studio. The words are half mumbled and hardly more audible than a soft hum or whisper, and yet despite all these seemingly annoying qualities (i.e. Iron and Wine), Kurt Vile has a brilliant way of making himself sound like an amiable genius rather than a soft spoken downer. Enjoy this record please.

And as always, if you're interested in this entire record, feel free to leave your e-mail in the comments and I'll send a download link. Enjoy

Mountain Man - Made the Harbor

2010-08-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

Listen While Reading: "Animal Tracks"

Mountain Man Myspace

Bandcamp: Made the Harbor - Purchase

Contrary to their name, Mountain Man is a folk trio comprised of three women. Their first release, Made the Harbor fits nicely into the recent resurgence of modernized, minimalist appalachian folk music. Mountain Man captures the natural, nature-like qualities of the old time music and adds more vocal interest than the mountain people could have dreamed of. Just skimming through the tracks it becomes obvious of their desire to pull elements of nature into song.

"White Heron" "Buffalo" "Animal Tracks" "River" and "Honeybee" are only a few of the tracks on Made the Harbor. This band won't wow you with instrumentals, as a single acoustic guitar is often the only instrument accompanying the trio of voices, but it's the wall of uniquely crafted harmony which will surely keep your attention. This record is bound to become a favorite of mine.

If you want the full download, please leave your e-mail in the comments. Thanks.

Jackson C. Frank - Self Titled 1965 Release

2010-07-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

Forget his horribly depressing life story (furnace explosion burns over half his body, death of a child, deep depression, drug addiction, life on the streets... etc.) and you'll most likely love what Jackson C. Frank has to offer as a folk musician. He's one of those "most famous" folksingers of the1960's that no one has ever heard of, and it's sad because his debut album is really fantastic. Unfortunately, Jackson never found the consistency in his life to produce another album. Reminds me a bit of the story of Nick Drake, however, Drake was able to produce enough material before committing suicide to establish himself as an accomplished artist.

In 1965, Jackson teamed up with Paul Simon in the studio to record his self-titled debut. As an incredibly nervous 22 year old, Jackson recorded his songs in a brief three hour recording session. The result is really something special. Jackson's voice has incredible deep clarity and his guitar sounds raw and gritty to perfection.

I'm making this whole record available for download because I really want you to hear it. Enjoy.

Download - full album

Download these tracks

Danielle Doyle - The Cartographer's Wife

2010-07-30T23:43:00.000-07:00

Buy The Carographers's Wife From CD Baby!

Official Artist Website

Danielle's Music on Myspace

Danielle Doyle is a folk singer-songwriter from Boston, MA and this past spring she released her debut album, The Cartographer's Wife. The recordings have a distinctly live feel to them, a type of studio production which we folk enthusiasts can appreciate. In the studio, Danielle invited a few friends and local musicians to help fill out her songs. Despite adding percussion, bass, and a second guitar, The Cartographer's Wife remains intimate and personal, with sparse arrangements showcasing Danielle's greatest strength, her voice. She delivers confident, versatile performances throughout the record. It's the simplicity of the songs that enhance the richness and tone of her vocals.

The opening track "My Bird" is easily the most catchy, foot-tappin' friendly song on the record, and it sets a great positive mood for the whole album. The tittle track "The Cartographer's Wife" takes a break from the upbeat folk and miss Doyle is put center stage with her finger-picked acoustic guitar. Various stringed instruments build and swell around Danielle and her guitar, but they do not overwhelm or steal the spotlight. This is probably my favorite track. Feel free to take a listen or download these tracks below. Enjoy.

Download These Tracks: HERE! (divshare)

Also, check some tour dates if you're in the area.

**On Tour**

07.01.10 Norwood, MA Perks Coffeehouse

07.08.10 Framingham, MA Amazing Things

08.05.10 Portsmouth, NH Blue Mermaid

08.17.10 Cambridge, MA Toad

08.27.10 Portland, ME Slainte

09.02.10 Portsmouth, NH The Red Door

10.16.10 Seattle, WA House Concert

Ancestral House of The Sun - Self Titled Album Release

2010-07-24T10:03:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD Album for FREE!

Social Networking: Myspace - Facebook
Label: Catch The Soap Productions - CTS (Myspace)

Ancestral House of The Sun is the solo moniker of the Greek independent artist Serafim Grigoriou. Despite coming from Greece, Serafim does not feel his music reflects what one might expect as the average Greek folk/pop bouzouki-orientated music. To him, he plays folk music for a small community of his close friends who reach and connect with his music. This project is Serafim's first official attempt at composing as a guitar player, however, he is an active member (drummer) for several underground rock bands in Greece, including Brother of Sleep, Uranium Cardinals, and Frank Siddhatra.

Ancestral House of The Sun has a certain epic, experimental quality to it that definitely make it stand out from the other features of The Pursuit of Folk. The guitar playing is very active and rhythmic, which at times feels distant while remaining warm and emotional. Unlike most folk music, Ancestral House of The Sun doesn't fallow strict, pre-determined "pop" structural patterns. It's an unusual, yet refreshing, pairing of folk and experimental acoustic. Ancestral House of the Sun does a fine job of creating interesting atmospheric landscapes, and intimate overtones to accent the guitar and enhance the mood of each song. All except one track are rather dark instrumentals.

Ancestral House of The Sun deserves a quiet room and little distraction, for the details are what make this music come alive and keep your attention. At times it may be loud and exciting, and other times the record is soft, so be ready for the rise and fall. This is not your soundtrack for summer jams, and its proudly not trying to be, but there is definitely a times and place for it.

My two favorite tracks represent the dichotomy between Serafim's softer, more personal tracks and the nine-minute epic closing out the album. The former, "Montra elemental gate II" is a beautifully intimate recording of a lone guitar noodling through a single note melody. This track reminds me of Nick Drake's Pink Moon recordings--quick, natural, and generally lonesome (see Nick Drake's "Horn"). The album ends with a 9-minute bang called "Entering the halls of the dyin" which has much emotional rising and falling. Serafim's background in percussion really shines through on this track, as the drums and other auxiliary percussive instruments are critical to the dark, climatic experience that this songs has created.

This release is vinyl only from Catch The Soap Productions, however, Serafim was kind enough to allow The Pursuit of Folk to give a free digital download of the album! He recognizes what many artists do not, which is that the internet gives artists access to more fans. The only drawback being that you often need to give your music away free now, and hope that it pays off in the future. With that said, if you like what you here, and you are into the whole analog vinyl thing, please go and buy the record here: Catch The Soap Productions. I've included my two favorite songs for streaming as well as the download link for the entire album, if you're interested. Enjoy!

Download Ancestral House of The Sun - Mediafire Link (it's free, and artist approved!)

Download these two track only: divshare download link here

Frontier Ruckus - New Band Alert

2010-07-22T01:08:00.000-07:00

Frontier Ruckus is my latest Indie-Folk discovery. They are releasing a new album soon, so expect a full length feature soon. For now, watch this video and enjoy. This song is called "Dark Autumn Hours" and it's fresh of their latest album. Enjoy.

To here more songs, see their official myspace

Bobbie Gentry - The Delta Sweete

2010-07-06T00:24:00.000-07:00

Bobby Gentry is a former American singer-wongwriter notable as one of the first female country artists to write and produce her own material. Her Songs typically drew on her Mississippi roots to compose vignettes of the Southern United States. Gentry shot into the international spotlight with her intriguing Southern Gothic narrative "Ode to Billie Joe" in 1967, which won several prestigious awards.

Though less commercially successful than her first album, The Delta Sweete (1968) more accurately portrays Gentry's southern roots. This album emphasizes her guitar picking and unusual vocal phrasing. This is an oldie. Enjoy.

Download: The Delta Sweete (album) - Megaupload

The Mountains & The Trees - More & More & More mp3

2010-07-03T00:30:00.000-07:00

The Mountains & The Trees is the moniker of multi-instrumentalist and folk-singer/songwriter Jon Janes. He's a fairly unknown, unsigned folk artist from Canada, and he's about to embark on a cross country tour in support of the release his second full length album called I Made This For You.

Though Jon hasn't yet reached his potential as a songwriter/folk musician, "More & More & More" shows signs of improvement and potential. Jon's voice sounds soft, yet spoken with a presence which easily breaks through the brisk rhythm of his acoustic guitar and the trotting percussion of the snare. As the song progresses it becomes heavily layered, with an organ, a banjo, and an electric guitar joining in the mix. Unfortunately, just at the song hits the crest, it ends abruptly and fails to take advantage of the groove that had just been built. Notwithstanding the failure to reach the song's potential, the overall consensus is a positive one. I've made the track available for streaming and free downloading. Enjoy.

Download "More & More & More" for Free!

The Wilderness of Manitoba - Hymns of Love and Spirits / When You Left the Fire

2010-07-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

BUY - When You Left the Fire and Hymns of Love & Spirits

The Wilderness of Manitoba hail from Toronto, Ontario. This four piece folk group takes a page out of Fleet Foxes book, but does so without sounding trite. The Fleet Foxes-esque vocal harmonies take a prominent role in each of The Wilderness of Manitoba's songs. A softly strummed acoustic guitar and plucked banjo often set the foundation for the vocal harmonies to move freely.

They released the 8-track Hymns of Love and Spirits EP last year (2009) and on June 22 they followed up with the full length When You Left the Fire. Both records are filled with wintery, warm sounds, and idealized conceptualizations of the wilderness. Ironically, the last album, which in some ways is even more winter-like than the previous record, was recorded entirely durning the Summer.

I haven't had much time to listen to the new full length, however, I'd like to share a little background of one of my favorite songs from the Hymns of Love and Spirits EP. The Song "Evening" was written sometime in late sixties by frontman Will Whitwham's mother. She gave him a recording of it and some other songs she'd written in New York. Will brought "Evening" to the band as a possible cover, and it clicked with the group immediately. The tune is simple, with a softly picked guitar and muted banjo, but the harmony really steals the attention. You can stream the song below. Enjoy!

The Wilderness of Manitoba perform 'NOVEMBER'

Download this track for free!

First Aid Kit - The Big Black & the Blue

2010-06-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

Buy - Big Black & the Blue

Myspace - Facebook - Youtube

First Aid Kit are a Swedish indie/folk duo composed of sisters Johanna and Klara Soderberg, whose close sisterly harmonies and woodsy, folk influenced songwriting have brought comparisons with the likes of Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom. The girls first made some noise in 2008, when the band decided to record a cover (video here) of Fleet Foxes ballad "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song". The video received massive amounts of attention on youtube, and in their hometown of Stockholm, Sweden. After month of heavy viral promotion, the sisters began receiving notice from labels and other industry professionals. Sticking with their Swedish roots, First Aid Kit decided to sign with Witicha Records, a label run and owned by Swedish electronic duo The Knife.

Following the release of their first e.p, The Big Black & the Blue is First Aid Kit's harmony-infested debut album. The full-length release contains 11 brilliant original pieces, especially considering their ages (i think they're both under 20). In support of this record, the girls are touring the US all Summer. Now, I haven't seen them live, but if their live show sounds anything like their videos, than I'm sure it's worth the cost of admission.

The fleet foxes cover and the single from The Big Black & the Blue are available to stream and download. Personally, I really enjoy imperfect, rough recording of the Fleet Foxes cover. The melody of their single is also worth a listen. Enjoy!

If you want the album download, you know what to do...

Download these songs for free!

Peter Wolf Crier - Inter-Be

2010-06-22T00:23:00.000-07:00

Buy - Inter-Be from Amazon

Official Website

Jagjaguwar (label)

Facebook / Myspace

Inter-Be is the debut album from Peter Wolf Crier, the Minneapolis-based duo of Peter Pisano and Brian Moen. The album was born on a single summer night when Pisano felt a torrent of creativity after what felt like an interminably long dry spell. Over the next few months, Pisano and Moen worked together on these tracks to develop a cohesive collection of songs. Moen added his touch to the production as well as adding percussion. Peter Wolf Crier have since made a big splash into the indie music scene, drawing warranted attention from internet heavyweights, pitchfork media and tiny mix tapes.

Inter-Be starts out on the right note with "Crutch & Cane," which has a catchy rhythm and overdubbed vocal harmony that simply hits the spot. First tracks are awfully important to a collection of songs, and this foot-tapping song immediately sparked my curiosity for the rest of the album. "You're So High" highlights another strength of this duo. Pisano's guitar has perfect tone and Moen creates an interesting sonic landscape for which the overdriven chords happily exist. I'm not exactly sure what it is about this chord progression, but something about it feel as "right."

Not all of the songs are as easy going and catchy as these two. Several tracks have a much more quiet and minor feel to them. Overall, I think the slower trackers are some of the weaker on the album. Inter-Be has the expected ups and downs from a debut album, but if this release is any indication of the future, then I like where these guys are headed.

Enjoy these tracks! Ask for the album download in the comments...

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Saloon Dogs - Shooting Star

2010-06-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

Buy Shooting Star: Itunes, Airplay Direct, e-music

Facebook Fan Page

Official Myspace

I try to avoid giving too much biography on most artists because frankly its not very interesting. Perhaps an exception to this point, the journey it took to release Saloon Dogs debut album, Shooting Star, is worthy of a backstory. The Saloon Dogs rose from the ashes of the London-based band The Bogarts - Billy MacInnes (vocals, guitar), Maria Gallagher (vocals), Phil Taylor (drums) and David Longworth (keyboards) - when they disbanded in the Summer of 1995. Right away, Saloon Dogs felt new music had great emphasis on the simple acoustic instrumentation and vocal harmony of folk/pop. The group began practicing and preparing to release their first album immediately following the breakup of The Bogarts in the Fall of 1995.

Over the next couple months, Saloon Dogs found themselves in a creative groove, and by the end of 1995, they had written and recorded an album worth of material. The record was mastered in early 1996 and to them it appeared only a matter of time before Saloon Dogs would release their debut album Shooting Star. Unfortunately, the album was never released, and the band's original line-up split in 1997.

Let's jump forward to 2010, a couple marriages, eight children, a drummer in New Zealand, and two singers in Ireland, and somehow, despite all odds, the ten-song Shooting Star was released March 2010. It's not exactly clear what happened between the Winter of 1996 and 2010, but I'm pleased to hear the album was still released, even if only to give satisfaction to the original members of Saloon Dogs.

Now on to the actual music. Like many records before it, Shooting Star is a collection of songs focusing on the many perspectives of love and relationships. Nothing particularly revolutionary about the content, but nonetheless, love is universal and most listeners will relate. The relatively quick writing process shines through on each of the ten tracks, as the overall feel of the record is fresh and cohesive. The instrumentation won't shock you, and the studio production does not stand out; however, these are the traits that make this record stand out in my mind as authentic and filled with character. Each track sounds like it was mostly recorded live in studio and the imperfections that go along with it make this acoustic-pop that much more identifiable and infectious.

I won't give a rundown of the entire album, but I'd like to note a couple of my favorite tracks when I think Saloon Dogs are at their best. "Sunday Morning" showcases the female vocalist in an almost Belle & Sebastion-esque simple acoustic pop tune. The chorus and bridge section make great use of harmony to help the song rise and fall in natural rhythm. The title track "Shooting Star" displays the vocal interplay between the bandleader Billy MacInnes and the backup vocalist. I'm not completely sure why, but this song reminds me of some of the early acoustic Luna. The genuineness of his voice goes a long way.

It may have taken an extra 14 years to release Shooting Star, but MacInnes is planning to reunite the Saloon Dogs and potentially release a second album. Hopefully, it won't take as long for their sophomore album.

Shooting Star is available for download or cd purchase from: Itunes, Airplay Direct, e-music, and more...

The Pursuit of Folk Presents: Best Folk Music of Spring 2010 Compilation

2010-06-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

Buy - Best of Folk Music

Spring 2010 has been an exceptionally rainy season here in Eugene. Bring on the Summer! Just like the compilation made at the end of Winter (Best Folk Music of Winter 2010), The Pursuit of Folk Presents: Best Folk Music of Spring 2010! If you don't feel like searching the archives for music, feel free to download this sample comp. of everything you may have missed this past Spring. Hope you enjoy!

Download - Best Folk Music of Spring 2010 Compilation! It's free and you'll surely love it

The Pursuit of Folk Presents: Best Folk Music of Spring 2010 Compilation

1. The Swimming Song - Loudon Wainwright III

2. Workin' for the Music Man - Daniel Romano

3. Needn't Say A Thing - Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore

4. Long Gone - The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

5. Worried Man Blues - Water Tower String Band

6. No One Knew My Name - Daniel, Fred & Julie

7. Blue Skies - The Bad Mitten Orchestra

8. Awake The Sun - Silent Paper Radios

9. Build For This - Ben Sollee

10. She Came And She Touched Me - Townes Van Zandt

11. Starving Robins - Horse Feathers

12. The Distance - Peasant

The Pursuit of Folk

Natural Beardy is the Place To Be.

what is folk music?

[edit]WHAT IS FOLK MUSIC :: Origins and definitions

WHAT IS FOLK MUSIC ::

[edit]Africa

[edit]Asia

[edit]Europe and North America

[edit]Celtic traditional music

[edit]Eastern Europe

[edit]Balkan music

[edit]Nordic folk music

[edit]Notable venues

[edit]Latin America

[edit]European folk revival

[edit]Folk revival of the 1950s in Britain and America

[edit]Popular subgenres

[edit][edit]

Further reading

[edit]

WE HAVE MOVED to a new URL - CHECK IT OUT!

NEW POST! Best music of 2010

WE HAVE MOVED!!!

NEW BLOG NAME :: Natural Beardy

Shareef Ali and The Radical Folksonomy :: The Once and Future Boyfriend

Still working...

Ben Sollee :: Ditch the Van Tour 2010

Change is coming....

Kurt Vile - God Is Saying This To You?

Mountain Man - Made the Harbor

Jackson C. Frank - Self Titled 1965 Release

Danielle Doyle - The Cartographer's Wife

Ancestral House of The Sun - Self Titled Album Release

Frontier Ruckus - New Band Alert

Bobbie Gentry - The Delta Sweete

The Mountains & The Trees - More & More & More mp3

The Wilderness of Manitoba - Hymns of Love and Spirits / When You Left the Fire

First Aid Kit - The Big Black & the Blue

Peter Wolf Crier - Inter-Be

Saloon Dogs - Shooting Star

The Pursuit of Folk Presents: Best Folk Music of Spring 2010 Compilation

[edit]
WHAT IS FOLK MUSIC ::
Origins and definitions