Inspired by a Linda Ronstadt thread in the D&D and by my attendance at a folk music festival this past weekend (where politics and music were very highly intertwined) i thought i'd ask y'all about local or independent folk groups you like. Not the highly successful Dylan's etc, but musicians who tour the country (or counties) playing relatively small venues - where you can offen chat with them after the show) Two of my favorites from this weekend: Kelly Joe Phelps -- had seen him a few times before. A slide guitarist and excellent story teller. (he'll be in Austin Tx on Sept 16th) Martyn Joseph -- from Wales -- hadn't heard him before, but very powerful music -- i'll be picking up some of his music later. Any other recomendations...
BTW.....if you visit this link to this place in Houston, you'll find quite a few different well received folk acts with links to their own web pages. http://www.mcgonigels.com/
Did not catch Shoogenifty. I've talked to some who really liked them...and some who did not. I don't know their music. Attending a festival with a two year old and a baby changes the way you schedule your day. Sometimes when a group you really want to see is performing on one stage, you, instead choose to attend the face-painting, bouncy balls, or to just kick the beach ball around in an open field. It's all good. Are you on Salt Spring Island?
I'm a big fan of <a href="http://www.devonsproule.com/">Devon Sproule</a>, and others. She's the first who comes to mind -- will post more when I get home to CD collection. Not to hijack this thread, but is anyone else going to see "They Might Be Giants" tonight?
Sun Kil Moon is probably not folk but is heavily influenced by Nick Drake and has a very low-fi sound to it. Mark Kolezanek (sp?) heads up this project. Their CD, "Ghosts of the Great Highway" is an incredible listen. Another lo-fi who has folk influences (I think) is Sam Beam aka Iron & Wine. His debut, "The Creek Drank the Cradle" is a solid CD.
Shooglenifty are amazing have seen them at several WOMAD festivals... great stuff.. you just can't help but dance along some more good news for me, the Chieftans are coming to australia....
