Turn, Turn, Turn...

Getting through the last, bitterly cold week of January wasn't made any easier upon hearing the news that Pete Seeger had died. "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" "If I Had a Hammer," "We Shall Overcome": the legendary folk musician, who lived to age 94, touched generations with the warmth of his music and message.

Pete Seeger in Schenectady, May 2013.
Photo by Jeremy Clowe.

I must admit that Seeger wasn't really on my radar until after I met my wife, and Bruce Springsteen released his Seeger Sessions album in 2006. Unlike Sarah, I did not grow up with much of an awareness of folk music, apart from singing such songs as "Kumbaya" or "This Land Is Your Land" in school or church functions. She and I started attending folk concerts quite regularly, and I began to better appreciate the history, power and communal nature of the music.

In 2009 we trekked out to Rhode Island, to attend the 50th anniversary of the Newport Folk Festival. In addition to such acts as Billy Bragg, Fleet Foxes, and The Decemberists, I was excited to finally see Pete Seeger perform—it seemed fitting to have the man on the bill, since he was one of the festival's first performers and founders. It was truly a special moment when the man took the stage, leading the assembled in a spirited sing-along of such standards as "This Little Light of Mine" and "Guantanamera"—I think even the most jaded concert-goer let down their guard and joined in, feeling like they were transported back to their early school days by the end of his set.

Pete Seeger and grandson Tao Rodriguez-Seeger
teach the crowd to sing at the 50th anniversary of
Newport Folk Festival, August 1, 2009.
Photo by Jeremy Clowe.

Seeger seemed at once relentless, optimistic, and humble; he never stopped believing in the power of music to bring people together. Through his talent and idealism, he called attention to social justice, civil rights, and the environment. As someone with deep ties to New York's Hudson Valley, I appreciate what Seeger was able to achieve through his Hudson River Sloop Clearwater organization, helping to bring awareness to and restore much of the polluted river. I understand that he visited Norman Rockwell Museum back in 1996, the same year he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to perform during a benefit concert for the cleaning up of the nearby Housatonic River; as internationally known as he was, he found equal time to connect with the local stage. 

Sarah and I felt fortunate to see the artist perform one last time, during an intimate concert with his sister Peggy at Schenectady's Proctors Theater last year. Still nimble on the banjo and singing with conviction, he was a gentle and hopeful inspiration.

Pete and Peggy Seeger sharing the spirit of music at Proctors,
Schenectady, NY, May 12, 2013. Photo by Jeremy Clowe. 

When asked this past week to name my favorite Seeger song, I had to choose "Turn! Turn! Turn!" which he wrote back in the late 1950s. The lyrics were adapted from the Bible's Book of Ecclesiastes: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven," one of my grandmother's favorite scriptures. When she fell ill a few years ago, I remember singing the song to her at her bedside, unselfconscious of the nursing home setting. It seemed an appropriate way to further honor her at her memorial service once she passed—strumming my guitar, joined in song by my future wife, it was harder to get through than I imagined... but hopefully I managed to properly express the beautiful spirit of Pete's song.

I'm All Ears

To celebrate a week that finally saw an end to my annoying ear infection (not a pleasant way to start the year), I thought I would share some examples of what I am listening to these days:

Soul singer Sharon Jones found herself battling an even more serious health problem (the big "C") over the last year, forcing her to postpone a tour and album with her band, the Dap-Kings. I'm so happy to hear that she is better and that her new album, Give The People What they Want, was released last week. Soul music fan that I am, I had really been looking forward to hearing this one, as the first two singles, "Retreat" and "Stranger To My Happiness," are slamming! The rest of the album mellows out a bit, contains some "iffy" lyrics, and I wish there was more "fire" on the other tracks, but you can't deny its overall musicality.

Continuing on the retro-tip, Sarah and I love the cover of the old American folk song, "Fare Thee Well (Dink's Song)," which is featured on the soundtrack for the new Coen Brothers' movie, Inside Llewyn Davis. I haven't seen the movie yet (which I hear is "loosely/controversially" based on the life of singer Dave Van Ronk), but if the music is any indication, it should be interesting! 

Lead actor/singer Oscar Isaac joins Marcus Mumford (of Mumford & Sons) on the track. Every time I hear it on the radio, it makes the thought of our currently bitter cold weather a little more bearable...

Speaking of warmth, Shins frontman James Mercer continues to come up with the heartfelt goods on his latest single with side project Broken Bells:

"Holding On For Life" is the latest in a string of interesting, melodic tracks from Mercer-- this one has sort of a "Bee Gees" kind of vibe to it, which might explain the title of Broken Bells' forthcoming album, After the Disco (set for release on February 4). It's funny... I once resisted The Shins, thinking they were a bit pretentious, but this is classic pop song craft. Maybe I need to give the rest of Mercer's back catalogue a try... (The Shins did surprise me by releasing my favorite album of 2012, Port of Morrow). 

So bring it on, 2014... if this is any indication of the year to come, and my own musical aspirations pan out (doing more singing, and just got a new amp for my electric guitar!) I like the sound of it.

Related Links:

"Sharon Jones on Beating Cancer and Career Advice From Inmates," 

Rolling Stone, January 17, 2014

"Ring The Bells," Halesowen News, January 18, 2014

"T Bone Burnett: 'Inside Llewyn Davis? It’s the story of my life,'" The Independent, January 22, 2014

Back To Shore

Yes, I have a new favorite album:



I picked up England Keep My Bones, the latest CD by London-based singer-songwriter Frank Turner, before we left for our camping trip. It's a rollicking and rockin' folk-punk album. Definitely the kind of mood I want to be listening to at the moment.

I had never heard of Turner before, but he's starting to blow up on both sides of the pond, having performed at the opening ceremony of this summer's Olympic games. Cool. Nice to hear real music can still make a difference.

www.frank-turner.com

Not The Same Old Song...

We really enjoyed the Old Songs Festival last night--the weather was pleasant up there in Altamont, the food was delicious (Moroccan cuisine!), and the bands were quite lively... there was actually a strong French bent to them (perfect preparation for our upcoming trip to Quebec). One of the acts, in fact, was from Canada:

The band's name is Galant, tu perds ton temps, and is comprised of five women (and a male percussionist) who sing a cappella. We don't speak French, but it was hard not to love their infectious renditions of traditional folk songs.

The band Comas play the 32nd Annual Old Songs
Folk Festival. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

There were plenty of other highlights, including a Celtic-infused group called Comas, the Creole sounds of Dennis Stroughmatt, and the Scottish singer/songwriter Archie Fisher. I admit that to have had sort of a preconception about what folk is all about, but this festival really opens my eyes (and ears) to the bigger concept of folk music, and I must say that I appreciate hearing bands from other regions (and countries) sing traditional songs that have been passed down through the ages.

My gal (in my shirt) revisiting old memories at
Old Songs. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

This was the 32nd anniversary of Old Songs, and Sarah's family has been going since the beginning. In fact, we came across a photo display, which included an old photo of Sarah and her mother listening to a performer from back in 1987 (Sarah was only five)! It had a note attached to it saying that this cute little girl went on to become an Old Songs intern in later years... Having taken part in this summer family tradition for the past few years, I can see the appeal.

Related Link:

http://www.oldsongs.org/festival