♪ ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC is blues, bluegrass, borderlands, Cajun, cowboy, Celtic, Cape Breton, newfangled old-time, accessible classical, folk-Americana from riverboats, mountainsides, front porches, barn dances & honkytonks. NOT a musical museum, it is alive with vibrant traditional music & innovators of the Acoustic Renaissance. NEWS, complete listings & descriptions of festivals EVERYWHERE & performances in Southern California, are here, frequently updated!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
No Black Friday for Cowboys
by J. Parson
I don’t know where they came up with the title of ‘Black Friday’ for the day after Thanksgiving but the way I see it they couldn’t be more off the track. That’s a terrible name to hang on what is one of the best days of the year. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure this Friday is not a ‘Black Friday’ for you.
(It's important that you start on Thursday, to get this right...)
1) Invite everyone you would like but make sure you have a ton of food for your traditional Thanksgiving Dinner.
2)Enlist only trusted immediate family members as servers so that portion size can be controlled.
3) Put the food away as quickly as possible so that people won’t be able to casually graze through again and again.
4) Don’t allow any napping after dinner. (It’s human nature to reach for food as soon as they are awake.)
5) Make up a work detail for right after dinner that you could sure use a hand with. (This will scatter a crowd right away.)
6) Under no circumstances allow any overnight guests. Tell them a blizzard is coming or the plumbing is stopped up, tell them anything but don’t let them stay.
7) Get plenty of sleep after the feast, on Thanksgiving night, so that you are rested and ready for the best day of leftovers of the entire year.
- Cowboy singer-songwriter J. Parson, who wrote this and shared it with us (so we could share it with you), says, “If the leftovers aren’t enough to brighten your day, you find that you don’t want to be left out, and you just have to shop I suggest you go to my web site and pick out a CD or two. It will make us both feel better. If you already have them all why not get an extra for the truck or maybe as a gift. Remember I can send them direct if you give me the shipping directions. All my CD’s are available on my web site www.jparson.com.”
Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!
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LINKS TO CURRENT EDITIONS OF THE ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE:
News Features, Nov 18 edition:
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/news-features-acoustic-americana-music.html
SPOTLIGHT EVENTS Section, with all the events:
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/spotlight-events-acoustic-americana_18.html
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Friday, November 18, 2011
NEWS FEATURES, Acoustic Americana Music Guide, November 18, 2011 edition
NEWS & REVIEWS, Acoustic Americana Music Guide, November 18, 2011 edition
Some Up-Front Stuff this Week, Before You Jump in...
There's a fine and useful free class Saturday at noon (News feature # 2) that will be of great benefit to artists and activists of all kinds. It was one we learned of, late. And it forces a point. Before we get started, there's something important that needs saying: There was no intention to make so much of this edition about topics and news related to the “Occupy” movement. But much of it is, based on artists in the news and topics of interest to artists.
This does not represent a change of emphasis for the Acoustic Americana Music Guide's news section. It's just that we didn't have time this past week to finish the five reviews that we have in progress (two new CD reviews, one pre-digital music review in our ongoing series of fresh looks at old recordings, and two live performance reviews). We 'spect we'll get caught up with all that and have at least some of it for you next week.
We're at that time of year when it gets dark early and you need to know about good ways to spend your evenings out, so, as always, our Spotlight Events section is all about that. There are some fine shows, though not much festival news, and most of the CDs we're receiving are Christmas albums that we're just not ready to hear yet. But we're trying to stay on top of all of it for you. As always, we welcome your comments.
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Want to get each weekly edition of the Guide's NEWS FEATURES delivered directly to your inbox? (Without waiting for your webgroup moderator to approve and post it?) Email and subscribe directly, for FREE,
at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
Just say, SUBSCRIBE ME!
(That way, you'll also know each time our SPOTLIGHT EVENTS section gets a major update, though we do NOT email that one, because it's huge.)
WE ARE GRATEFUL to our many website and webgroup partners who faithfully bring you The Guide's weekly News Features. But these are sometimes subject to delay (up to several days, it seems) for moderators of some sites / groups to re-publish for their readers. So why not GO DIRECT!? (Yep, it's still free, and we don't share your email address with anybody.)
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This section is the NEWS – you can find ALL THE EVENTS in the Guide's companion section – SPOTLIGHT EVENTS – at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/spotlight-events-acoustic-americana_18.html
Let's get started!
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Tied to the Tracks'
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ACOUSTIC
AMERICANA
MUSIC GUIDE
NEWS FEATURES
November 18, 2011 edition
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THIS WEEK’S NEWS FEATURES
1) Quick Roundup of the Weekend's Events
2) “Critical Language in Action” Class Saturday, Presented by Occupy L.A.
3) ELIZA GILKYSON Remixes "Beautiful World" as Salute to “Occupy” Movement
4) Does the Occupy / 99 % Movement Still Need a Defining Song?
5) Folkie SARAH McQUAID Is Touring Like A Rock Star
6) Ear Buds DO Cause Hearing Loss
7) Invitation to Artists: 30th Annual LOS ANGELES HOLIDAY CAROLING FESTIVITIES
8) Spend THANKSGIVING at the Learning Garden in Venice
9) Thanksgiving – a Bit o' History...
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Here are this week's news feature stories, listed above...
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Our # 1 Story
QUICK ROUNDUP OF THE WEEKEND'S EVENTS
A note, before we start: Last week's feature story on the all-star bluegrass musicians in the ROLAND WHITE BAND omitted an additional show they're playing. They're at McCabe's in Santa Monica this Saturday night. (It's listed in the Spotlight Events section). The Guide's story on the band from last week is still available, at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/news-reviews-acoustic-americana-music_11.html
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Here's a QUICK-READ PRESENTATION of what's out there for you this weekend
SATURDAY, November 19:
There's a FESTIVAL, 10 am-4 pm, the “26th annual ELVES FAIRE” with GWENDOLYN & HER BAND at 11 am, in Altadena; Noon-1 pm is “CRITICAL LANGUAGE IN ACTION,” a teach-in class by CHRISTIAN W. CHUN, PhD., USC's Rossier School of Education; taught free at “Occupy Los Angeles” on the grounds of L.A. City Hall, downtown L.A.; at 7 pm, CLAUDIA RUSSELL & THE FOLK UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA plus JILL FREEMAN, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage; at 7 pm, THE BROWNE SISTERS & GEORGE CAVANAUGH play Butler's Coffee, in Palmdale, and it's a rare chance to see this big festival act in an intimate venue; at 7:30 pm, KATE MacLEOD & KAT EGGLESTON play “The Living Tradition” series in Anaheim; at 7:30 pm, there's “HOMEWARD BOUND: a tribute to SIMON & GARFUNKLE and AMERICA” with MARK W. CURRAN, and VENTURA HIGHWAY, at Scheer Forum Theater, Thousand Oaks; at 8 pm, Grammy-winning guitar wizard LAURENCE JUBER plays the Fret House in Covina; at 8 pm, THE ROLAND WHITE BAND with Grammy-winner Roland White and West Coast mega-talented band members are at McCabe's; at 8 pm, RITA HOSKING & COUSIN JACK play the Caltech Folk Music Series in Pasadena; at 8 pm, T-LOU & HIS SUPER HOT ZYDECO BAND play the zydeco dance in Monrovia; at 8 pm, THE KLEZMATICS play the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown L.A.; at 8 pm, JAMIE MICHAELS and SEVERIN BROWNE play Russ & Julie's House Concerts; at 8 pm, CALAVERAS plays the Gelencser House Concert series in Claremont; at 8 pm, GERRY O'BEIRNE plays a house concert in L.A.; the innovative “ORPHEUS AND EURIDICE” is tonight only at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena.
SUNDAY, November 20
At 11 am, BONNE MUSIQUE ZYDECO and SWEET BABY J'AI perform get-up-and-dance Southern Louisiana zydeco in Hollywood; at 11 am, MELISSA GREEN plays the Matinee Kids Concert at McCabe's; at 3 pm, TARAFUL USTUROI (THE GARLIC BAND) is at the Coffee Gallery Backstage; 5-9 pm, “JONNY WHITESIDE'S MESSAROUND” is at Viva Cantina in Burbank; at 7 pm, FOLDING MR. LINCOLN brings their acoustic folk-Americana to the Coffee Gallery Backstage; at 7 pm, the splendid APRIL VERCH is at McCabe's; at 8 pm, it's the monthly “VARIETY NIGHT” with featured artists CALI ROSE & CRAIG BRANDAU and the sign-up-in-advance OPEN MIC, at Boulevard Music in Culver City.
All the details are in the Spotlight Events section, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/spotlight-events-acoustic-americana_18.html
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Our # 2 Story
“CRITICAL LANGUAGE IN ACTION” CLASS SATURDAY, PRESENTED BY OCCUPY L.A.
Whether or not you are inclined toward the whole “Occupy” Movement, this is a fine opportunity to learn about the use and impact of specific words in specific settings and circumstances. All artists should understand that words are powerful and always laden with impressions and images. Whether those are the ones you wish to communicate, or are even aware of what subtext you create is often the difference of how successful you are in attracting or repelling others with your cause.
Of course, the need for those in the Occupy movement to understand and utilize this is obvious, from favorably impressing anyone passing by to communicating at a stressful moment with the police or anyone who may not be committed to nonviolence.
This Saturday, November 19, Noon-1 pm, “CRITICAL LANGUAGE IN ACTION” will be taught by CHRISTIAN W. CHUN, PhD., of USC's Rossier School of Education. It's free at “Occupy Los Angeles” on the grounds of L.A. City Hall, in downtown L.A.
The goal of the one-hour session is to provide “An understanding of how language is mobilized in the service of power and how it shapes, frames, and privileges certain representations about, and of, the world; how 'language forms' help construct certain meanings; critical discourse analysis of the prevailing economic discourses of the past 30 years; how everyday people can mobilize a critical language in action in service of social justice and radical transformation.” It's free.
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Our # 3 Story
ELIZA GILKYSON REMIXES "BEAUTIFUL WORLD" AS SALUTE TO “OCCUPY” MOVEMENT
Red House Records, the St. Paul, Minnesota “new folk” label, just released a newly remixed version of ELIZA GILKYSON's song "Beautiful World." It's been out there in its original mix as the title track to her 2008 album, the CD acclaimed as “her masterpiece” by “All Music.”
The press statement from Red House notes, “The album and song are still timely today, especially in light of the protests going on around the world.”
Music in support of the “Occupy” protests has already come from other Red House artists, with support from the label's PR office. A recent press release began with the words, “In solidarity with the 'Occupy Wall Street' protestors, Americana songwriter PIETA BROWN is offering her song 'I Want It Back'...”
Now Gilkyson is stepping up to the plate. She says, "I originally wrote the song as a means of staying inspired and engaged in the struggle to defend our beautiful world against the ravages of humankind."
But this time around, Eliza adds, "I am excited to release this provocative new remix, in solidarity with a struggle that is more crucial than ever. My son, CISCO RYDER, worked up a very cool reinterpretation of 'Beautiful World.' Utilizing drum loops and an old school Moog synthesizer he creates a whole new electronica perspective while still retaining aspects of the original folk elements."
Coming hot on the heels of Eliza's hit folk album “Roses at the End of Time,” released in May, this newly remixed single became available digitally on November 1. The single was immediately highlighted on iTunes as one of the "New & Noteworthy" singer-songwriter releases.
In support of her newest album and this newly remixed single, Eliza is touring across the country. She's playing solo shows and dates with the Billboard-charting folk supergroup RED HORSE, the trio she shares with fellow Red House Records recording artists JOHN GORKA & LUCY KAPLANSKY.
Meanwhile, proclamations of the movements' death are, as Mark Twain once observed, greatly exaggerated. This past Thursday brought a “National Day of Action” with marches on L.A.'s Financial District and similar concentrations of the empire of wealth in other cities. The original Occupy Wall Street protestors having just been evicted from the genesis site of Zucate Park in New York City, they marched to Wall Street itself. Unfortunately, the demonstrations in other cities have not been free of injuries and violent confrontation with law enforcement, as they have been in L.A., where the movement works closely with LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.
Protestors in L.A. who wanted to be arrested even wore special armbands to make it easy for everyone to differentiate them – marchers and police alike. The TV coverage spanned both cable news and local stations. As the protestors sat in a circle in the middle of the street awaiting arrest, one wondered why no one had taught them the old Civil Rights anthem, “We Shall Not Be Moved.” Music is still conspicuously absent from most situations that otherwise parallel past, large-scale protest / social change movements.
But, as we observed in last week's major special feature, (available at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/so-whats-up-with-occupy-99-movement-is.html) this movement is different in a great many ways. To wit, a group organized as “Patriotic Millionaires” – really comprised of millionaires – lobbied Congress on Thursday to get their taxes raised, and to make it clear to Republicans on the 12-member Super Committee that they would oppose any effort for another extension of the Bush Administration's temporary tax cuts for the wealthy. The group's millionaire spokesman Charlie Fink said, “People are rioting in the streets because we're spending money we don't have and shifting the burden for that onto the 99 percent who don't have it.” He expressed empathy with the 99 percenters of the Occupy movement.
Strange that a group of millionaires gets it, but Congress doesn't. Of course, this Congress can't do anything else, either – except declare this week, that, for the purposes of school lunches, pizza is a vegetable – sulfides, sodium, high fructose corn syrup in the tomato sauce, et al, and that greasy french fries are vegetables, too. (Hey, at least they didn't call them Freedom Fries.)
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Our # 4 Story
DOES THE OCCUPY / 99 % MOVEMENT STILL NEED A DEFINING SONG?
It's been one of the points we've made in several features in our series on the participation and influence of artists with the “Occupy” / 99% Movement: It's the only American protest / social change / you-name-it movement in modern history that has no anthem. As we detailed last week, the movement is heavily inclusive of young people who don't know the rich legacy and catalog of songs from the Civil Rights era. And because this movement is so much about text messages and cyber communication, the movement conspicuously lacks an orientation toward songs sung by groups.
We keep expecting to hear or receive a new one, written by a songwriter among the occupiers. We keep expecting a song to go mega-viral on the web, but it still hasn't happened. Neither has a song by any of the more prominent recording artists become the movement's anthem, though several are out there (we tell you about two in the preceding piece.)
Of course, an old Dylan song, or a Joan Baez song, or a hundred-year-old labor organizing song, or a hundred-and-fifty-year-old song from slaves yearning for freedom could just as easily make a comeback. Or it might be one by someone else.
Then we had one of those Homer Simpson “D'oh” moments. We might have had the song all along.
The following song lyrics were published here in the Guide, just before the Occupy Movement began. They were included in Ross Altman's obituary for the man who wrote the song, the late, and always very formidable songwriter, Ken Graydon.
We commend it to you and believe Thanksgiving makes it especially appropriate.
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“It’s Time To Start Singing Again,” by Ken Graydon
He wrote songs in the sixties that prodded the conscience of the nation
And the words that he chose to use mirrored our own indignation
And some called him Bobby and some called him Phil
Or Richard or Johnny or Len
Now the voices have changed but the message sounds clear
It’s time to start singing again.
(Chorus)
So give me your words. Tell me what’s on your mind
Show me what needs to be shown
Come raise up your voices and pour out your song
Let me know I’m not singing alone.
From Selma to Birmingham, Chicago, New York and Seattle
He sang us the news and the hopes and the fears of the battle
‘Till it blew in the wind and it hammered and rang
And the whole land was singing and then
It shimmered and echoed and faded away
Now it’s time to start singing again
Now the years have gone ‘round and the circle’s come full in its turning
And it’s time to be heard while liberty’s torch is still burning
For there’s power in music that can’t be denied
And it comes ‘round again and again
But no one can listen if nobody sings
So come and start singing again.
(Transcribed from Ken’s website, www.kengraydon.com, by Ross Altman, for the obituary he wrote about Ken, just before the Occupy movement began.)
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Our # 5 Story
FOLKIE SARAH McQUAID IS TOURING LIKE A ROCK STAR
We didn't make it to SARAH McQUAID's only L.A. area show, last month at the “Living tradition” series in Anaheim. It was our loss. Now, having just concluded her 40-show US tour, she's deep into making the rounds of the better folk venues in the UK, a trek that takes her into December.
Renowned for her warm, engaging stage presence, Sarah McQuaid is a versatile and beguiling performer. In addition to her own elegantly crafted originals, she interprets traditional Irish and Appalachian folk songs, Elizabethan ballads, 1930s jazz numbers, surprise covers and lively guitar instrumentals with panache and poignance.
In late September, she showcased at FARM – the Folk Alliance Region Midwest Conference – in Illinois. That came midway through her jam-packed US tour.
Sarah spent some time in 2010 in Nashville, co-writing with industry heavyweights, including THOMM JUTZ, Nanci Griffith’s guitarist for five years and producer of numerous albums including Nanci’s “The Loving Kind,” and PETER CRONIN, former Associate Editor of Billboard magazine and Creative Director at Bug Music, where he worked with artists and writers including Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash, the Dixie Chicks and John Prine.
Along the way, she's added considerably to her accolades with latest CD, ”I Won't Go Home 'til Morning.” It's enjoying good airplay on the BBC and on NPR's “Thistle and Shamrock” and “The World Beat” – which you don't know if you live in L.A., since we are the only place with two NPR affiliate stations and no NPR music shows. Hence, part of our job is telling you about what everyone else hears everywhere else in America, but we can't hear because we're in L.A.
Sarah's new album was done with GERRY O'BEIRNE and TREVOR HUTCHINSON. Gerry produced and Trevor engineered both of her previous solo albums and played on all three. The newest album focuses primarily on original songs, including several songs co-written with O'Beirne.
Here are a few quotes about Sarah McQuaid's live performance and her new CD.
"Brilliant musicianship, a warm and welcoming stage presence and a voice as rich, matured and knowing as the finest thrice-distilled Irish malt whiskey." - Geoff Wallis, fRoots.
"Sparkling guitar and compelling alto voice ... reminiscent of Pentangle’s best efforts ... a gentle and magical recording that I will return to time and again." - Tom Druckenmiller, Sing Out!
"Likely to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck." -- Aled Jones, BBC Radio 2.
"She sings with so much beauty – and with utmost respect for the folklore behind each song and ballad." - Gene Shay, WXPN, Philadelphia.
"A must for everyone who loves a CD you can put on again and again, and never tire of it." - Roz Larman, FolkScene, Los Angeles.
"Folk music as it should be sung -- warm, gentle and real." -- Alf McCarthy, Late Date, RTE Radio 1.
"An unreserved thumbs-up. Captivating performance, great songs, playing and singing. Sarah was also totally professional, charming and low maintenance. What more could you ask for?" - Gerry Evans, TwickFolk, London.
"Pure magic!! We are running our folkclub for 16 years now but I never experienced such a thrilling interaction between artist and audience." -- Piet Snellen, De Fookhook, Netherlands.
"Quietly expressive and supremely affecting performances ... Not a weak link anywhere in earshot ... This is a truly lovely record." -- NetRhythms
At Sarah's shows, people “sing a song with her and live in harmony.” She recruits singers via her website to sing a part in her original six-part canon, so every concert becomes an especially effective bit of audience participation. We'll let you know when she gets back to perform in Southern Cal. Meanwhile, check out her downloads and CDs (Christmas is coming). There's plenty at www.sarahmcquaid.com
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Our # 6 Story
EAR BUDS DO CAUSE HEARING LOSS
A new Johns Hopkins medical study reveals that as many as 48 million Americans may have hearing loss caused by using ear buds. In many cases, the damage has already occurred, but the hearing loss is not evident immediately and may not be obvious for years.
The study recommends wearing over-the-ear earphones instead (like the old headphones, though modern versions aree much smaller and lighter). It also recommends the obvious: not cranking the volume to drown-out outside noises.
Lest anyone think that hearing loss is simply an inability to hear as well, often it is not. It frequently takes the form of tinnitus, a constant, unending, day-and-night ringing in the ears that can be quite loud and drive you crazy.
So, spare your fellow carpool and bus and subway riders the annoyance of all that shh-thoom that escapes your ear buds and propagates for 20 feet in every direction while pummeling your own ears into tone deafness. This is one area where it's easy to protect yourself – and your longevity as a musician and music aficionado who wants to hear all the lyrics and all the instruments.
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Our # 7 Story
INVITATION TO ARTISTS: 30th ANNUAL LOS ANGELES HOLIDAY CAROLING FESTIVITIES
(or participate in YOUR city...)
Each year, Grammy, music Oscar, and music Emmy winners and nominees join other happy musicians and smiling, singing folks in show biz to bring cheer to shut-ins and experience plenty of joy themselves. And VINCENT J. LEINEN, organizer and founder of this and 20 other events like it across America, wants you to take part.
This year will mark three decades that Vincent has rounded-up his musical friends, expanded the circle to include more, and celebrated the Holidays with those who might have had no sense of anything special were it not for his corps of carolers.
And you should know this is no casual troupe. While it requires no advance preparation on the part of the bulk of participants, it is organized with precision you'll hardly notice. But the gentle presence of Vincent does, and he has this operating like a well-oiled machine. Rest assured, the time you spend doing this on that one afternoon and evening will matter, and you will know that you and the part you played mattered. It's a fine way to get the feeling of the Holidays that we're supposed to have and seldom achieve amidst pushy shoppers and electronic reindeer.
Vincent has asked The Guide to spread the word to artists and those who like to sing. He says, “You’re extended a special invitation to support, promote, and participate in the 30th Annual Los Angeles Holiday Caroling festivities on Sunday, December 4, 2011, at numerous senior care centers and a restaurant located in the West San Fernando Valley to bring happiness and/or enlightenment to the elderly, care-givers, and participants during the holiday season.”
He explains, “The tradition of caroling for the elderly began for me in high school while singing at local senior care centers with the St. Mary Catholic Youth Association in Dow City, Iowa (pop. 498). It then continued while attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Now, as a resident of Los Angeles, the tradition has since evolved, grown, and expanded into a series of festivities celebrated across the country. This includes the large-scale, must attend holiday event (est. 250 participants) in Los Angeles.”
While Vincent always recruits star power, that's not enough for him. He emphasizes, “This enjoyable and rewarding community service project is open to entertainers, singers and musicians of all talent levels and ages. It is a very fulfilling opportunity to give and to receive joy, happiness, and holiday spirit to and from the elderly residents, care-givers, and participants, while enhancing one’s own perspective or appreciation of life, health, and family.”
He sums it up, “Bottom line: Everyone greatly benefits from the festivities.”
It all happens Sunday, December 4, 2011. You'll spend the time from 4 -7:15 pm caroling at senior care centers in Canoga Park, and that includes a couple of stage shows for the enjoyment of those able to come to the dining hall in their facility. The time is used much more effectively than you can imagine. The evening concludes from 7:30-9:30 pm with a “Post Caroling Party” ay a local eatery.
Your editor will always remember his impromptu part in one of the stage shows, when Vincent suddenly chose him to trade lead vocals with a genuine opera diva, while backed by a Grammy winning guitarist, Grammy-nominated fiddler, famous pianist, and the drummer from the Tonight Show. And you can't get a more appreciative audience.
Vincent will launch “a full media blitz” to promote the event to many major Los Angeles metro radio, television, and newspaper outlets. For Vincent, it's all pretty simple. He says, “Together we have the power to make a difference and to make the world a better place!” and he adds to all who take part, “Thank you for blessing my life and the lives of others. Happy Holidays!”
Still, this is a major production, so you really do need to commit to it and RSVP to Vincent promptly, especially if you play an instrument and want to bring it for the stage show or as a strolling troubadour, accompanied by additional vocalists or others with instruments.
There's plenty of info on all of Vincent's caroling dates, across the country, at www.ReachfortheStars.com/Caroling
To sign-up for December 4, OR TO TAKE PART IN ONE OF THE OTHER CITIES across America where Vincent brings caroling to shut-ins, or for more info, contact Vincent J. Leinen at 818-342-9336, or e-mail him at BD754@lafn.org
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Our # 8 Story
SPEND THANKSGIVING AT THE LEARNING GARDEN IN VENICE
It's become a tradition over the past few years, and you'd be hard pressed to find a place that represents the true spirit of this special holiday with more of a sense of genuine gratitude.
Bring a dish to feed 10 and you’re invited. Plus, you can bring your acoustic instrument and jam with others.
But let's get back to the essence of why this is so special. Each year, participants include the Victims of Torture, people from all over the world whose escape to America as their new home and sanctuary was often a matter of life and death. Some were prisoners of conscience in their home countries. Others were tortured by military juntas or opposing sides in power struggles or civil wars. Look into their faces at this event and you see the meaning of Thanksgiving.
It's held on the large, tree-shaded patio. Garden Master and roots-acoustic musician DAVID KING says, “Everyone is invited to bring whatever dish, 'potluck' style, something you feel is the very embodiment of Thanksgiving. We have the turkey lined-up as well as mashed potatoes – everything else is open for everyone. You can't have too much of anything on Thanksgiving! Too much food for only two hands! In keeping with our ecological policies, please bring your own plates and service ware to help us be a low-waste facility. We've always had a wonderful Thanksgiving event with all the typical trimmings - and usually a few surprises thrown-in, as well. We've come to love the offerings of food from a diverse group of people from different continents and cultures. We extend an invitation to you and your family to join us on Thanksgiving Day to carve-up a turkey and probably a faux-turkey as well.”
From 11 am to 2 pm on Thanksgiving Day, the 7th annual “THANKSGIVING AT THE LEARNING GARDEN” hosts the “Program for Torture Victims” staff and clients in celebrating this American holiday, with potluck holiday feasting on traditional and international food, and Americana roots music. The feast is at noon, but come at 11 am to meet one another and socialize.
It's at the Learning Garden, at Venice High School, on the southeast corner of Walgrove Avenue and Venice Boulevard, at 13000 Venice Bl, Venice 90066. For specific instructions on how to get there or other information, call the Garden at 310-722-3656 or email learninggardenmaster@yahoo.com.
David adds, “Those who have been to our Thanksgiving in the past know this is a very special way to observe all we are grateful for and the spirit of sharing is truly the spirit of this season. We eat early to allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy Thanksgiving later in your home. The weather gods have always smiled on us as we eat outside on the patio in The Learning Garden. Still, dress warm, our Garden is always cooler than one would think it should be. We hope you will join our celebration.”
Wherever you go, HAPPY THANKSGIVING !
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Our # 9 Story
THANKSGIVING – A BIT O' HISTORY...
Ahh, THANKSGIVING, the annual gastrointestinal festival, when too many people subject themselves to waaaay too much food. For many, televised football is an integral part of the fete, as are the insipid electronic turkey gobble noises that accompany anything on TV. But before you spend money you don't have, and get elbowed at all the orgies of consumerism the day after Thanksgiving, pause and consider (and enjoy) a little about the holiday.
The Pilgrims, who were essentially refugees from England, arrived in the New World on December 21, 1620, at a place they named Plimouth. (Yes, that IS how they spelled it.) Their voyage had been arduous, and their survival in their first year was tenuous. They were assisted in basic survival by Native American Indians, with whom they celebrated their “Thanks Giving” nearly a year after their arrival.
While the approximate anniversary became a New England holiday of sorts, it took nearly 20 years of effort in the 1800s by Sara Josepha Hale before President Abraham Lincoln issued an 1864 proclamation of Thanksgiving Day as the last Thursday in November.
But that lacked the authority of an official holiday. It would come under President Franklin Roosevelt, though he set the date a week earlier, to space it farther from Christmas during economic hard times.
Some people celebrated both Thanksgiving Days, a week apart – there was some confusion, since tradition is hard to alter. Congress, during the FDR years, passed an act returning Thanksgiving to the last Thursday of November, and making it an official holiday. (That was back when Congress actually knew how to do something.)
No turkey has been safe, ever since – except two, each year, who receive a Presidential Pardon. And, as we’ve all seen, many turkeys have gone to Washington, and some have sought Presidential Pardons…
As we all prepare our turkey demolition plans, we’re thankful for the WONDERFUL abundance of live music – as members of the audience and when we’re on stage – and we’re thankful for ALL the good things in our lives!
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MORE STUFF >>>>>>> Resources, etc
Our VENUE DIRECTORY
...with OVER 500 acoustic-music-friendly venues in Southern California, is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/02/venue-directory-from-guide-updated.html
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RECENT EDITIONS of The Guide's NEWS FEATURES are still available!
Just check our archive! Read the contents bar on the left side of the page at www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com and click the appropriate month.
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The MOST RECENT past editions (last 30 days) are easy to find! Just use the direct url's provided below, PLUS many recent feature stories and reviews are available individually at their own urls...
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Special Features from the Guide, at individual addresses...
“OCCUPY WALL STREET / OCCUPY EVERYWHERE” – our series of special Feature Stories, are available as individual items including READER FEEDBACK.
The Guide's special series examines events with an emphasis on the roles being played by artists, and / or the implications for the future of the arts and for arts & music funding. Each part and our recent related features are still available – and still receiving (and posting) your comments.
Listed from most recent to earliest, here's how to find them:
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> SO, WHAT'S UP WITH THE “OCCUPY / 99%” MOVEMENT? IS A “LEAGUE OF NON-VOTERS” COMING? IS MUSIC PLAYING A ROLE? from the Guide's Nov 11, 2011 News Features edition, is available by itself, with YOUR COMMENTS. Here are a string of excerpts: “This protest movement is different in its modes of expression.” - “Is it a political or an economic or a social justice movement? Yes.” - “Could the masses that comprise the 99%, in and out of the movement, be induced by manipulators to feel deeper disillusionment, and “guided” to see no point in one thing in particular – voting? Yes.” - “An ultimate irony is coming: during the Civil Rights Movement, the disenfranchised fought for their rights to vote. Now, disillusioned masses might, in droves, give up entirely on the notion of bothering to vote.” - “The net effect isn't to make everyone fight for their rights. More people than ever are simply disgusted and sensing futility.” - “We may soon be governed by people who literally do not represent us, because too many of us see no point in fighting the overwhelming spending by corporations that purchase politicians to do things their way. With that conclusion reached, why vote? It's not individual or group apathy. It would be an intentional act, driven by entrenched and widespread disgust. It's the electoral equivalent of a sit-in. It will be tantamount to an organized 'League of Non-Voters.' ” - Of course, there's plenty more. Read it in full at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/so-whats-up-with-occupy-99-movement-is.html
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> ARTISTS JOIN “OCCUPY WALL STREET” AS UNEMPLOYMENT, ECONOMY WORSEN, The Guide's Oct 7, 2011 feature story, with YOUR COMMENTS, is available by itself. Here's an excerpt: “We should be talking about the exact form and structure of a new WPA and a new CCC to re-employ Americans with projects that will give us all a future legacy – like that we inherited from the enduring public works projects of the '30s. We could be building high-speed rail and alternatives to gas-guzzling automobiles and alternatives to polluting coal-fired power plants. We could be leading the world in high tech investment and encouraging math and science education with a vigorous space program, aimed at Mars, instead of pouring money and blood into the sands of Afghanistan. We could be creating jobs so that the 24% of the military enlistees, who go there because there are no other jobs, could find career work in improving our society and rebuilding it for their children's future... Instead, we are told that a tepid jobs bill is dead on arrival in the House of Representatives, even as we see record profits for companies that took our money to employ people overseas, but not here. We see money being used to make money without creating any jobs or benefits for our society in a time when meaningful, career-track jobs should be our key national priority. We're not building for the future. We're not even doing required maintenance on the gifts we received from our parents and grandparents. We hear politicians rant that government must charge the rich no taxes and make Capital Gains profits off-limits to taxation, altogether. We see bonuses paid to money manipulators who exported America's jobs even as they took bailouts from taxpayers. Rome is burning. They're buying Stradovari violins with our money.” Plus, there's a “Memo to those wallowing in Wall Street bonuses and bank bailout billions.” read it all at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/artists-join-occupy-wall-street-as.html
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> OF AUTOHARPS, JOBS BILLS, AND A VISION FOR OUR FUTURE (OR THE LACK OF IT) a feature that PRE-DATES the Occupy Movement by just two days, examining ways artists can oppose the “I've got mine, f--- you,” attitudes of the power elite, and fight against “a corporatocracy or an intolerant theocracy or a place of ruthless end-game capitalism.” It first ran in the Guide's Sep 15, 2011 edition; it's available by itself at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/09/of-autoharps-jobs-bills-and-vision-for.html
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> 9-11's LEGACY: THE PART PLAYED BY ARTISTS, AND WHAT'S STILL TO BE DONE, is our feature that PRE-DATES the Occupy Movement, but presents several of what would be its focal points. It ran in the Guide's Sep 9, 2011 edition. Here's an excerpt: “Together, military over-commitments and a select few no-bid civilian defense contractors bankrupted our economy, cost us our space program, cost us any chance for spending on arts education, cost us renewal of our decaying bridges / highways / city streets / utility infrastructure, cost us building any major new public works projects, and essentially cost us our vision for the kind of 21st century future promised by '2001: A Space Odyssey.' Meanwhile, our drone-based wars have cost our troops unprecedented numbers of re-deployments to war zones, record numbers of suicides, and record numbers of PTSD cases that all but assure us a tragically plentiful supply of homeless disturbed individuals for decades to come... It's a fitting time to ask our politicians whether contrarian intransigence is worthy of their silenced constituents... or worthy of their constituents who rushed to help that day and in the days and months following, and who now suffer as a result, yet receive little or no help from what should be a forever grateful nation.” And, “Just as Congress appears unable to help 9-11's surviving first responders, both political parties appear bereft of any real vision for a better future for all of us.” It's available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/09/acoustic-americana-music-guide-news.html
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> CALLING STEPHEN COLBERT: HELP! WE'VE BEEN COMPROMISED! is the Guide's Aug 4, 2011 feature that PRE-DATES the Occupy Movement by six weeks. It looks at the ability of Super PACS and big money to control politics. It's a scathing and satirical piece on the devastating and maddening manipulation of the people's money and what was and was not evident in the Debt Crisis, with MUCH reader feedback. It's available by itself at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/08/calling-stephen-colbert-help-weve-been.html
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> IS THE FUTURE OF ARTS FUNDING GONE IN AMERICA? is, for us, the feature story that started it all. It's the Guide's pioneering, in-depth July 18, 2011, feature, that PRE-DATES the Occupy Movement by two months, with analysis beyond Washington's maddening politics. It debunks the Debt Limit, spending cuts, and budget battles and examines the roots of issues that motivated Occupiers. It's available by itself, with a then-record-number of comments, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/07/is-future-of-arts-funding-gone-in.html
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OTHER recent SPECIAL FEATURES, available as individual items...
> PENN STATE, HERMAN CAIN, LINDSAY LOHAN: THE CULTURE OF CELEBRITY VS. THE AMERICAN CREED, a special feature from the Guide's 11-11-11 edition, is available by itself at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/penn-state-herman-cain-lindsay-lohan.html
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> MUSIC GOT US TO THE MOON – WHERE MIGHT IT YET TAKE US? a special feature from the Guide's Oct 27 edition, on the eve of NASA's final Mars lander, is available by itself at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/music-got-us-to-moon-where-might-it-yet.html
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> KEN GRAYDON MEMORIAL CONCERT BRINGS FITTING ADIOS ran in the Guide's Sep 15 edition. Ken was the best history-based songwriter we've ever known, bringing places and people and events to life with the freshness of a spring breeze. It's available by itself at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/09/ken-graydon-memorial-concert-brings.html
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> IN MEMORIUM: JOEL OKIDA, MUSIC JOURNALIST EXTRAORDINAIRE, a consummate writer and all-around great guy, ran in the Guide's July 28, 2011 edition, available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/07/acoustic-americana-music-guide-news_28.html
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RECENT REVIEWS, available as individual items including READER FEEDBACK...
> REVIEWS – NEW SERIES TAKES A FRESH LOOK AT OLD RECORDINGS,
“ACROSS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE...” new ongoing series – fresh reviews of pre-digital era recordings; series explained, from the Guide's edition of Nov 3, 2011, available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/reviews-new-series-takes-fresh-look-at.html
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> REVIEW – ACROSS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE... “HOME SWEET HOME,” A CASSETTE TREASURE, from the Guide's edition of Nov 3, 2011, is available by itself at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-across-digital-divide-home-sweet.html
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> REVIEW – ACROSS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE (# 2)... “LIKE DESPERADOS” - JOHNNY CASH, WILLIE NELSON, MARTY ROBBINS, CHARLIE DANIELS BAND, OTHERS, from the Guide's edition of Nov 11, 2011, is available by itself at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-across-digital-divide-2-like.html
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Recent reviews of NEW releases:
> CD REVIEW – DAFNI, “SWEET TIME” from the Guide's News Features edition of Nov 3, 2011, is available by itself at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/cd-review-dafni-sweet-time.html
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> CD REVIEW – “MOODY BLUEGRASS TWO...MUCH LOVE” WITH VINCE GILL, RICKY SKAGGS, SAM BUSH, & MORE, GETS CRITICAL ACCLAIM is in the Sep 30, 2011 edition at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/09/news-features-acoustic-americana-music_30.html
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COMPLETE WEEKLY EDITIONS
...from the past 30 days, including everything as published, though NOT including reader feedback received on any feature published individually.
(All past editions are available, by digging in the archive at acousticamericana.blogspot.com)
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November 11 FULL edition is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/news-reviews-acoustic-americana-music_11.html
and the stories are:
1) It's the Century's Only Perfect Palindrome Day, 11 11 11
2) Giant Civil War Reenactment and Period Music this Weekend in Moorpark
3) Veteran's Day Premiere for New Video, “I'll Go (A Soldier's Oath),” & a Sunday Event
4) This Weekend's Quick Roundup of Events
5) Extravaganza for Recording Artists this Weekend in West L.A.
6) “Put The Fork in Hunger,” Pasadena's Largest Food Drive, is this Weekend
7) ROLAND WHITE BAND Plays this Week, with Top Bluegrassers East & West
8) REVIEW – Across the Digital Divide (# 2)... “Like Desperados” -
Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins, Charlie Daniels Band, others
9) So, What's Up with the “Occupy / 99%” Movement?
Is a “League of Non-Voters” Coming? Is Music Playing a Role?
10) Penn State, Herman Cain, Lindsay Lohan: the Culture of Celebrity vs.
the American Creed
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November 3 FULL edition is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/news-reviews-acoustic-americana-music.html
and the stories are:
Late additions, added after publication:
> “JOE HILL NIGHT,” Sunday, November 6
> "GIVE ME THE BANJO - Arts from the Blue Ridge Mountains" premieres Friday, Nov 4,
on PBS - TV.
November 3 edition, as originally published...
1) Bluegrass on DAVID LETTERMAN Thursday Night
2) ROSS ALTMAN Performs “SONGS OF JOE HILL” Friday Afternoon
3) Saturday is Folk Concert-Crazy in Southern Cal...
4) GRAM PARSONS 65th B'day Tribute at Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance, November 7
5) GORDON LIGHTFOOT Playing Local Shows November 8 & 9
6) Nominees THE TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS and JOYCE WOODSON to Perform Together En-Route to Western Music Awards
7) CD Review – DAFNI, “Sweet Time”
8) Reviews – New Series Takes a Fresh Look at Old Recordings,
“Across the Digital Divide...”
9) Review – Across the Digital Divide... “Home Sweet Home,” a Cassette Treasure
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October 27 FULL edition is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/news-features-acoustic-americana-music_28.html
and the stories are:
1) Irish, Celtic Music Plentiful for “SAMHAIN,” Original Halloween / Celtic New Year
2) “TWO SIDES OF CELTIC” Show at Caltech Saturday Night
3) Guerrilla Art Returns with Mayor On-Board – May The Fork Be with You
4) Music Got Us to the Moon – Where Might it Yet Take Us?
The biggest and final Mars lander touches down in November. Is there meaning for Artists?
5) STAGECOACH and COACHELLA Will Grow to 3 Days in 2012
6) Strong Mountain Roots / Bluegrass / Newgrass Double-Bill on Friday
7) YOU can still add your comment at the HUGE RESPONSE to our feature,
“Artists Join 'OCCUPY WALL STREET'...”
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Questions? Comments? Contact us through our Blogspot site or by email at
tied to the tracks@hotmail.com
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YES, we invite you to add YOUR comments!
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You can always find the LATEST EDITION of THE ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE, with separate links for:
1) the latest NEWS FEATURES, with feature stories / reviews / editorials / current acoustic music happenings / "heads up" notices to buy advance tickets for shows likely to sell-out / news you can't find anywhere else from and about the world of acoustic and Americana music and artists;
2) the latest SPOTLIGHT EVENTS section, with new and updated info on festivals / artist workshops / schedules and calendars for concerts, club gigs, live music happenings, acoustic & Americana music-related events / and more;
3) The Guide's VENUE DIRECTORY of over 500 acoustic music-friendly venues in Southern California – the places TO HEAR MUSIC, or CONTACT TO GET GIGS.
It's all available 24/7 (& frequently updated!) at ~
www.acousticmusic.net or at
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
- or follow any of the links in the fifteen web sites and web groups that carry the Guide’s weekly News Features.
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Entire contents copyright (c) 2011, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
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Spotlight Events: Acoustic Americana Music Guide, November 18, 2011 edition
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Welcome to the Guide's SPOTLIGHT EVENTS section, our roundup of concerts, club gigs, workshops, and acoustic music-related events.
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The Guide's NEWS FEATURES, November 18 edition, is available in its own section, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/news-features-acoustic-americana-music.html
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Acoustic Americana Music Guide's
SPOTLIGHT EVENTS
November 18, 2011 edition
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Friday, November 18
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Fri, Nov 18:
7:15 pm THE ROLAND WHITE BAND at Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Av, Los Olivos.
Excerpted from the feature story in the November 11 edition of the Guide's News Features:
Grammy-winning mandolin legend Roland White’s infectious rhythms lead his agile and swinging bluegrass band, in both its East and West Coast versions. His albums are known for many fine things, including “out-on-a-limb” banjo mischief and old-fashioned country duets.
The band exudes a joyful drive that earned a Grammy nomination in 2002 for their CD “Jelly On My Tofu.”
The West Coast line-up of the Roland White Band is a delightful list of “who's who” names:
• ROLAND WHITE on mandolin and vocals
• DIANE BOUSKA on guitar and vocals
• HERB PEDERSEN (Laurel Canyon Ramblers; Desert Rose Band; The Dillards; Country Gazette) on banjo, guitar, and vocals
• BILL BRYSON (Laurel Canyon Ramblers; Desert Rose Band; Bluegrass Etc.) on bass and vocals
• BLAINE SPROUSE on fiddle
ROLAND WHITE has been there, done that. He's been a member of THE KENTUCKY COLONELS; BILL MONROE's band; LESTER FLATT'S NASHVILLE GRASS; COUNTRY GAZETTE; THE WHITE BROTHERS; and THE NASHVILLE BLUEGRASS BAND. Roland is known as one of the few unique stylists on the mandolin, with his own unmistakable sound and touch.
During his distinguished career in bluegrass music, Roland has played in some of the most influential and popular groups in the music history, and has played a large part in creating that history. His gifts as a musician have delighted audiences everywhere. His vitality, soul, and infectious rhythm enable him to dance through his instrument. Add to this his mastery of ensemble playing, harmonic sophistication, and warm voice guided by a swinging sense of phrasing, and you have the legend of bluegrass that Roland has become.
With this splendid ensemble of East and West Coast bluegrass stars, they delivered a fine show to a packed house Thursday night at the Coffee Gallery Backstage. Go.
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Fri, Nov 18:
8 pm Mandolin masters EVAN MARSHALL & SCOTT GATES play the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations (highly recommended for tonight) 626-798-6236.
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Fri, Nov 18, in Ventura County:
8 pm CALAVERAS plus CLAUDIA RUSSELL & THE FOLK UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA play a double-bill at the “CAMARILLO CAFÉ CONCERT SERIES,” at Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E Burnley St (NE corner, Carmen & Burnley), Camarillo.
Artist info, www.CalaverasSongs.com and www.ClaudiaRussell.com
Open mic precedes the featured acts (signups start at 7:30). Info, 805-523-2682; email, WhatsHappening@CamarilloCafe.com; website, www.CamarilloCafe.com. Sponsored by Pleasant Valley Recreation & Parks District and produced by Gary & Kathy Lynch, this is always a good time, and tonight, it brings two acts well worth a drive from L.A.
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Fri, Nov 18:
8 pm Grammy-winning guitar master LAURENCE JUBER plays McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
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Fri, Nov 18:
8 pm “A FAMOUS BRITISH TRIBUTE BAND” at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Even the venue won't tell you who yet, citing their “Don't strum, don't tell” policy.” Big reveal is Oct 22. Tix on sale Nov 4; $17.50.
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Fri, Nov 18, in San Diego:
8 pm THE KLEZMATICS play the Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Av, San Diego.
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Saturday, November 19
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Sat, Nov 19; FESTIVAL
10 am-4 pm “26th annual ELVES FAIRE” brings musical performances, including one by the excellent GWENDOLYN & HER BAND at 11 am, at Pasadena Waldorf School, 209 E Mariposa St, Altadena; www.elves-faire.com.
Interesting stuff here, including the ability to rent a live tree for Christmas – yes, they deliver it and come and pick it up after the holidays, and it continues to live and grow (more at www.LivingChristmas.com). Free admission
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Sat, Nov 19:
Noon-1 pm “CRITICAL LANGUAGE IN ACTION” teach-in class by CHRISTIAN W. CHUN, PhD., USC's Rossier School of Education; taught free at “Occupy Los Angeles” on the grounds of L.A. City Hall, downtown L.A.
This provides “An understanding of how language is mobilized in the service of power and how it shapes, frames, and privileges certain representations about, and of, the world; how 'language forms' help construct certain meanings; critical discourse analysis of the prevailing economic discourses of the past 30 years; how everyday people can mobilize a critical language in action in service of social justice and radical transformation.”
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Sat, Nov 19:
7 pm CLAUDIA RUSSELL & THE FOLK UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA plus JILL FREEMAN LIVE with JOEL WACHBRIT, STEVE NELSON, & KATIE DAHL, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations 626-798-6236.
Two really fine and fun acts split the bill here tonight. This'll be fun.
Tix, $18.
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Sat, Nov 19:
7 pm THE BROWNE SISTERS & GEORGE CAVANAUGH play Butler's Coffee, 40125 10th St West, Palmdale; 661-272-9530.
It's a rare chance to see this big festival act in an intimate venue. Great four-part sister harmonies, plus a fifth-part harmony, some thrilling lead vocals, and wonderful guitar from their cousin, George Cavanaugh. It's Scottish, Irish, Celtic, Americana, and Canadiana. (On that last point, request the Stan Rogers' classic, “Northwest Passage.”) Well worth the drive to the desert, and if you live in the Antelope Valley, you finally have a great show in a fun little venue right in your own backyard.
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Sat, Nov 19:
7:30 pm KATE MacLEOD & KAT EGGLESTON play “The Living Tradition” series at Anaheim Downtown Community Center, 250 E Center St, Anaheim; www.thelivingtradition.org; reservations 949-646-1964.
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Sat, Nov 19:
7:30 pm “HOMEWARD BOUND: a tribute to SIMON & GARFUNKLE and AMERICA” with MARK W. CURRAN, and VENTURA HIGHWAY, at Scheer Forum Theater, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Bl, T.O.; www.CivicArtsPlaza.com; 805-449-ARTS
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Sat, Nov 19:
8 pm Grammy-winning guitar wizard LAURENCE JUBER at the Fret House, 309 N Citrus Av, Covina; 626-339-7020; www.frethouse.com.
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Sat, Nov 19:
7 pm THE ROLAND WHITE BAND with Grammy-winner Roland White and West Coast mega-talented band members at McCabe's, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
Excerpted from the feature story in the November 11 edition of the Guide's News Features:
Grammy-winning mandolin legend Roland White’s infectious rhythms lead his agile and swinging bluegrass band, in both its East and West Coast versions. His albums are known for many fine things, including “out-on-a-limb” banjo mischief and old-fashioned country duets.
The band exudes a joyful drive that earned a Grammy nomination in 2002 for their CD “Jelly On My Tofu.”
The West Coast line-up of the Roland White Band is a delightful list of “who's who” names:
• ROLAND WHITE on mandolin and vocals
• DIANE BOUSKA on guitar and vocals
• HERB PEDERSEN (Laurel Canyon Ramblers; Desert Rose Band; The Dillards; Country Gazette) on banjo, guitar, and vocals
• BILL BRYSON (Laurel Canyon Ramblers; Desert Rose Band; Bluegrass Etc.) on bass and vocals
• BLAINE SPROUSE on fiddle
ROLAND WHITE has been there, done that. He's been a member of THE KENTUCKY COLONELS; BILL MONROE's band; LESTER FLATT'S NASHVILLE GRASS; COUNTRY GAZETTE; THE WHITE BROTHERS; and THE NASHVILLE BLUEGRASS BAND. Roland is known as one of the few unique stylists on the mandolin, with his own unmistakable sound and touch.
During his distinguished career in bluegrass music, Roland has played in some of the most influential and popular groups in the music history, and has played a large part in creating that history. His gifts as a musician have delighted audiences everywhere. His vitality, soul, and infectious rhythm enable him to dance through his instrument. Add to this his mastery of ensemble playing, harmonic sophistication, and warm voice guided by a swinging sense of phrasing, and you have the legend of bluegrass that Roland has become.
With this splendid ensemble of East and West Coast bluegrass stars, they delivered a fine show to a packed house Thursday night at the Coffee Gallery Backstage. Go. Tix, $20.
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Sat, Nov 19:
8 pm RITA HOSKING & COUSIN JACK play the Caltech Folk Music Series, 322 S Michigan Av, Pasadena; 626-395-4652, or toll-free 888-2CALTECH (1-888-222-5832); www.folkmusic.caltech.edu . Series held in Beckman Institute Auditorium on the Caltech Campus, Pasadena.
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Sat, Nov 19:
8 pm T-LOU & HIS SUPER HOT ZYDECO BAND play the zydeco dance at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 130 W Pomona Av, Monrovia; 626-484-1823.
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Sat, Nov 19:
8 pm THE KLEZMATICS play the Walt Disney Concert Hall, L.A. Music Center, 135 N Grand Av, L.A. (downtown) 90012; 213-972-7211; www.musiccenter.org.
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Sat, Nov 19:
8 pm JAMIE MICHAELS and SEVERIN BROWNE play Russ & Julie's House Concerts in Oak Park (Agoura Hills / Thousand Oaks area); info, www.houseconcerts.us. Reservations get directions at rsvp@houseconcerts.us or 818-707-2179.
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Sat, Nov 19:
8 pm CALAVERAS plays the Gelencser House Concert series in Claremont; Reservations get directions at 909-596-1266.
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Sat, Nov 19:
8 pm GERRY O'BEIRNE plays a house concert in L.A.; reservations get directions at 310-625-8544.
He, from County Clare, Ireland, is a fine instrumentalist. As part of the legendary Irish band PATRICK STREET, he’s played the White House, opened for the GRATEFUL DEAD, played on radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” and toured globally, all the while writing and performing songs and tunes in the rich tradition of the Emerald Isle. He tours these days most often with ROSIE SHIPLEY (the two played the Caltech Folk Music Society series a few months back) and he's recorded recently with SARAH McQUAID. Very versatile!
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Sat, Nov 19:
“ORPHEUS AND EURIDICE” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. This artful production explores what happens when Orpheus gives up his mythic lyre for a clarinet. Find out in an innovative staging of award-winning American composer RICKY IAN GORDON’s reimagining of the classic love story. Graceful and dramatic is the beloved Euridice as created by up-and-coming soprano superstar ALEXANDRA LOUTSION. World renowned pianist ALAN SMITH provides the vibrant keyboard landscape that supports the longing voice of masterful clarinetist JAMES SULLIVAN’s poignant Orpheus.
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Sunday, November 20
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Sun, Nov 20:
11 am BONNE MUSIQUE ZYDECO and SWEET BABY J'AI perform get-up-and-dance Southern Louisiana zydeco at The Twist, in the Renaissance Hotel & Spa complex, 1755 N Highland Av, Hollywood; 323-491-1000. You can ride the Red Line subway to the Hollywood & Highland Station and you're right there, avoiding expensive parking. (Free parking at Universal City or North Hollywood Red Line Stations.)
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Sun, Nov 20:
11 am MELISSA GREEN plays the Matinee Kids Concert at McCabe's, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
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Sun, Nov 20:
3 pm TARAFUL USTUROI (THE GARLIC BAND) at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations 626-798-6236. Tix, $18.
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Sun, Nov 20:
5-9 pm “JONNY WHITESIDE'S MESSAROUND” at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-515-4444. No cover.
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Sun, Nov 20:
7 pm FOLDING MR. LINCOLN brings their acoustic folk-Americana to the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations 626-798-6236. Tix, $18.
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Sun, Nov 20:
7 pm APRIL VERCH at McCabe's, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
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Sun, Nov 20:
8 pm monthly “VARIETY NIGHT” with featured artists CALI ROSE & CRAIG BRANDAU and the sign-up-in-advance OPEN MIC, at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. Open Mic signups limited to the first eight, and are taken beginning Nov 6 at 1 pm at the venue. Tix, $4.
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Monday, November 21
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Mon, Nov 21:
7:30 pm weekly “VIVA CANTINA BLUEGRASS JAM” at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-515-4444.
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Mon, Nov 21:
7:30 pm weekly “KULAK'S WOODSHED OPEN MIC” at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood 91607; 818-766-9913. Sign-ups at 7 pm.
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Mon, Nov 21:
8-11 pm “BLUE MONDAY JAM” hosted by the BERNIE PEARL BLUES BAND at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, 4305 Degnan Bl, Leimert Park; 310-462-1439.
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Mon, Nov 21:
8 pm weekly “CELTIC ARTS CENTER IRISH CéILí DANCE & IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at the shared Celtic Arts Center / Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood 91602; info, www.celticartscenter.com; 818-760-8322. Dance at 8, music session at 9 pm. Free.
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Tuesday, November 22
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On this day in 1963, the world was forever changed when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in an open car along a motorcade route in Dallas, Texas. Instead of fulfillment of his “New Frontier” programs, we got a bloody, useless war in Vietnam. The nation saw the fulfillment of his challenge to “land a man upon the Moon and return him safely to the Earth” before the decade was out, but the war consumed so much money that the manned space program beyond Earth orbit was abandoned and has never been resurrected. If you ever wonder what happened to the future we were supposed to have, it died on this day in 1963.
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Tue, Nov 22:
7 pm weekly “JC HYKE'S SONGWRITERS SERENADE” with different recording artists playing acoustic each week, at Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant & Bar, 145 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006. No cover.
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Tue, Nov 22:
8 pm weekly “TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at Timmy Nolan's Tavern and Grill, 10111 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake 91602; 818-985-3359.
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Tue, Nov 22:
8 pm weekly “BOURBON & BLUEGRASS” at South Santa Monica Sports Bar and Grill, 3001 Wilshire Bl Santa Monica 90403; 310-828-9988.
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Tue & Wed, Nov 22 & 23:
8:30 pm LUCINDA WILLIAMS at the El Rey, 5515 Wilshire Bl, L.A.; 323-936-6400.
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Wednesday, November 23
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Wed, Nov 23:
8 pm weekly “GUITAROLOGY” at Bar Melody and Grill, 9132 S Sepulveda Bl, Los Angeles 90045; 310-670-1994.
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Wed, Nov 23:
8 pm weekly “O'BRIEN'S IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at O'Brien's Irish Pub and Restaurant, 2226 Wilshire Bl, Santa Monica 90403; 310-829-5303.
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Wed, Nov 23:
8:30 pm LUCINDA WILLIAMS at the El Rey, 5515 Wilshire Bl, L.A.; 323-936-6400. She's here Tue & Wed, Nov 22 & 23.
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Wed, Nov 23:
9 pm weekly “ACOUSTIC CORDIALE” at Café Cordiale, 14015 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks 91423; 818-789-1985.
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Thursday, November 24
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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See the News Feature in the other section...
Weekly events are listed, but check with venues to see if they are happening, since most people are taking trhe day off for gluttony, and hopefully, to pause and consider their blessings (or at least that it could be worse...)
For those with no place to go, there are a few feasts that will welcome you. See our feature in this week's News section about “Thanksgiving at the Learning Garden” in Venice (listed below). Or if that's not nearby, search the web.
Here's one more eating event we know about, though it's not musical, as far as we know:
In Pasadena: “Union Station Homeless Services Thanksgiving Dinner” in Central Park, SW of Old Town Pasadena (which will use the FOUR TONS of food donated recently at the “Put a Fork in Hunger” food drive at Fork Plaza)...
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Thu, Nov 24
11 am-2 pm 7th annual “THANKSGIVING AT THE LEARNING GARDEN”at the Learning Garden, at Venice High School, on the southeast corner of Walgrove Avenue and Venice Boulevard, at 13000 Venice Bl, Venice 90066.
Bring a dish to feed 10 and you’re invited. Plus, you can bring your acoustic instrument and jam with others.
THE LEARNING GARDEN hosts the “Program for Torture Victims” staff and clients in celebrating this American holiday, with potluck holiday feasting on traditional and international food, and Americana roots music. The feast is at noon, but come at 11 am to meet one another and socialize. There's a feature story in our News Section.
For specific instructions on how to get there or other information, call the Garden at 310-722-3656 or email learninggardenmaster@yahoo.com.
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Thu, Nov 24:
6 pm weekly “THURSDAY NIGHT SOFA JAM” at Westwood Music, 1627 Westwood Bl, Los Angeles 90024; 310-478-4251.
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Friday, November 25
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Check back later.
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Saturday, November 26
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Sat, Nov 26, in Ojai:
“CELTIC WOODS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION” with local superstars CELTIC SPRING promises to be a “delightful and festive” edition of the Ojai Concert Series. Tix & info, www.ojaiconcertseries.com or call Shane Butler at 805-665-8852.
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Sunday, November 27
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Nov 27:
4:30 pm ANDRE THIERRY & ZYDECO MAGIC plays a “SPECIAL THANKSGIVING EVENT” dance at the Golden Sails Hotel, PCH Club, 6285 E Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach 90803. Dance lesson at 4:30, band plays 5-9 pm. Info, call Karen, 562-708-8946 or check www.LouisianaDanceLA.com. $15 at the door.
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Sun, Nov 27:
LINDA TILLERY & THE CULTURAL HERITAGE CHOIR at Carpenter Performing Arts Center, CSULB, 6200 Atherton St, Long Beach; 562-985-7000.
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Monday, November 28
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Mon, Nov 28:
7:30 pm weekly “VIVA CANTINA BLUEGRASS JAM” at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-515-4444.
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Mon, Nov 28:
7:30 pm weekly “KULAK'S WOODSHED OPEN MIC” at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood 91607; 818-766-9913. Sign-ups at 7 pm.
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Mon, Nov 28:
8-11 pm “BLUE MONDAY JAM” hosted by the BERNIE PEARL BLUES BAND at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, 4305 Degnan Bl, Leimert Park; 310-462-1439.
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Mon, Nov 28:
8 pm weekly “CELTIC ARTS CENTER IRISH CéILí DANCE & IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at the shared Celtic Arts Center / Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood 91602; info, www.celticartscenter.com; 818-760-8322. Dance at 8, music session at 9 pm. Free.
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Tuesday, November 29
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Tue, Nov 29:
7 pm weekly “JC HYKE'S SONGWRITERS SERENADE” with different recording artists playing acoustic each week, at Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant & Bar, 145 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006. No cover.
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Tue, Nov 29:
8 pm weekly “TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at Timmy Nolan's Tavern and Grill, 10111 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake 91602; 818-985-3359.
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Tue, Nov 29:
8 pm weekly “BOURBON & BLUEGRASS” at South Santa Monica Sports Bar and Grill, 3001 Wilshire Bl Santa Monica 90403; 310-828-9988.
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Wednesday, November 30
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Wed, Nov 30:
8 pm weekly “GUITAROLOGY” at Bar Melody and Grill, 9132 S Sepulveda Bl, Los Angeles 90045; 310-670-1994.
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Wed, Nov 30:
8 pm weekly “O'BRIEN'S IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at O'Brien's Irish Pub and Restaurant, 2226 Wilshire Bl, Santa Monica 90403; 310-829-5303.
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Wed, Nov 30:
9 pm weekly “ACOUSTIC CORDIALE” at Café Cordiale, 14015 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks 91423; 818-789-1985.
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DECEMBER 2011 (first look at what's coming...)
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Fri, Dec 2:
8 pm ROB ICKES & JIM HURST at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Nov 18; $17.50.
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Sat, Dec 3:
8 pm LOAFER'S GLORY at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Nov 19; $20.
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Sat, Dec 10:
8 pm JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Nov 26; $17.50.
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Dec 11:
4:30 pm LEROY THOMAS & THE ZYDECO ROADRUNNERS play the “HOLIDAY DANCE” and celebrate Leroy’s birthday at the Golden Sails Hotel, PCH Club, 6285 E Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach 90803. Dance lesson at 4:30, band plays 5-9 pm. Info, call Karen, 562-708-8946 or check www.LouisianaDanceLA.com. $15 at the door.
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Sat, Dec 17:
7 pm KATY MOFFATT plus BRAD COLERICK at the Four Friends Acoustic Music Series, Four Friends Gallery, 1408 Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91362; 805-497-4022; info@fourfriendsgallery.com. Promoter Marilyn Babcock cooks dinner for guests at these events; doors open at 6 to eat; music begins at 7 pm. Marilyn adds, “The venue is very accessible seating for 100. Soft drinks free, no host bar. Kids OK. Song circle follows performances, so bring your guitars; amazing piano available.” Emcee is Dave Morrison. Directions from L.A. & the Valley: Take 101 Fwy to Rancho Rd exit; right at Rancho; right on Thousand Oaks Blvd. To venue, two blocks on the right. Parking lot in back.$15 admission each show, and that includes dinner. More info, info@fourfriendsgallery.com; 805-497-4022.
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Sat, Dec 17:
8 pm THE WITCHER BROTHERS bring dynamite bluegrass to Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Dec 4; $15.
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Sat, Dec 17:
GOLDEN STATE POPS ORCHESTRA performs their “HOLIDAY POPS SPECTACULAR” at the Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W 6th St, San Pedro. Info and tix, www.gspo.com or call the GSPO Box Office at 310-433-8774.
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Sun, Dec 18:
5-9 pm monthly “CAJUN / ZYDECO DANCE” (aka “Sidney’s Dance”) this time brings live music by HORACE TRAHAN at the Long Beach Petroleum Club, 3636 Linden Av, Long Beach. $20.
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Sun, Dec 18:
7 pm Annual “FREE HOLIDAY SHOW” at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. An established tradition here, with entertainment provided by the teachers (recording stars / session players all) at the venue / music store. Cookies and baked confections are always anticipated at this event, too. More details in the near future. Free.
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Dec 31, in Ojai:
3rd Annual Celtic “NEW YEARS CELEBRATION” with “the international sensation” MOLLY’S REVENGE at the Ojai Concert Series. Tix & info, www.ojaiconcertseries.com or call Shane Butler at 805-665-8852.
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MUCH MORE COMING SOON!
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EARLY 2012 (first look at what's coming...)
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Sat, Jan 14:
7 pm EDITED trio of DAVID ZINK, BRETT PERKINS, & MARK DAVIS, with individual sets by each, too, at the Four Friends Acoustic Music Series, Four Friends Gallery, 1408 Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91362; 805-497-4022; info@fourfriendsgallery.com.
These three guys are all seasoned pros who have played the world. In fact, they've done several European tours since we last saw them together a year ago in Southern Cal. MARK DAVIS had the “Album of the Decade” in the L.A. Times OC edition; tgransplanted Californian BRETT PERKINS has had originals in the European charts; DAVID ZINK has built a loyal fan base with innovative acoustic originals for years. Together, their writing, instrumental arrangements and rich vocal harmonies are extra special. Come hear why they keep getting booked in Europe.
Promoter Marilyn Babcock cooks dinner for guests at these events; doors open at 6 to eat; music begins at 7 pm. Marilyn adds, “The venue is very accessible seating for 100. Soft drinks free, no host bar. Kids OK. Song circle follows performances, so bring your guitars; amazing piano available.” Emcee is Dave Morrison. Directions from L.A. & the Valley: Take 101 Fwy to Rancho Rd exit; right at Rancho; right on Thousand Oaks Blvd. To venue, two blocks on the right. Parking lot in back.$15 admission each show, and that includes dinner. More info, info@fourfriendsgallery.com; 805-497-4022.
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Sat, Feb 4:
7 pm JAIME MICHAELS plus DAVE MORRISON at the Four Friends Acoustic Music Series, Four Friends Gallery, 1408 Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91362; 805-497-4022; info@fourfriendsgallery.com. Promoter Marilyn Babcock cooks dinner for guests at these events; doors open at 6 to eat; music begins at 7 pm. Marilyn adds, “The venue is very accessible seating for 100. Soft drinks free, no host bar. Kids OK. Song circle follows performances, so bring your guitars; amazing piano available.” Emcee is Dave Morrison. Directions from L.A. & the Valley: Take 101 Fwy to Rancho Rd exit; right at Rancho; right on Thousand Oaks Blvd. To venue, two blocks on the right. Parking lot in back.$15 admission each show, and that includes dinner. More info, info@fourfriendsgallery.com; 805-497-4022.
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MORE COMING as soon as we're ready to reckon with the idea of 2012 and what will likely be a tumultuous and rancorous ELECTION YEAR... at least we can all take refuge in a world of delightful music that big media ignores...
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MORE STUFF >>>>>>> Other News, Resources, etc
"NEWS FEATURES” is a fresh edition each week, with news and reviews from the acoustic music universe, with features on folk-Americana, the “acoustic renaissance,” latest releases, reviews of CDs and live shows, industry news, news for artists, and more. Always available at www.acousticmusic.net and via one click at www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
"VENUE DIRECTORY" - The Guide's extensive locator – has location and contact info for OVER 500 acoustic-music-friendly venues in Southern California, from Santa Barbara County to south Orange County, plus a few for San Diego, the deserts, and the Central Coast. It's always available from the link at www.acousticmusic.net
VENUE DIRECTORY UPDATES are made every few months – the current edition is at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/02/venue-directory-from-guide-updated.html
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The Guide’s weekly News Features and Spotlight Events UPDATED EDITIONS bring more (always more -- as we have time to organize all of it).
We do all we can to bring you news and notices of all the many, many, MANY acoustic music events in and around the Los Angeles region, from the North border of Santa Barbara County to the South border of Orange County, and inland through San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
Plus, we tell you about RADIO SHOWS with acoustic music, focusing on those with live acoustic performances. (They're available mostly on the web, of course, since we are in acoustic-music-radio-deprived Los Angeles.)
And, we bring news and reviews of the many acoustic music FESTIVALS near and far, hither and yon, here, there and everywhere! With your help, we'll keep doing it!
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Questions? Comments? Contact us through the Blogspot site or by email at
tied to the tracks (at) Hotmail dot com
(remove all the spaces / format as you type it – we’re trying to reduce spam – you know...)
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LATEST EDITION of the Guide, the NEWS FEATURES, THE SCENE, and SPOTLIGHT EVENTS, covering the world of current acoustic music happenings, including "heads up" notices to buy advance tix for shows likely to sell-out – and lots more – is available 24/7 (& frequently updated!) at
www.acousticmusic.net
or at
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
- or by following any of many links on the web to get to one of those sites.
The Guide’s weekly NEWS FEATURES are published in 16 websites / webgroups!
TO GET THE NEWS FEATURES DIRECTLY in your inbox, email us and subscribe directly!
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Friday, November 11, 2011
NEWS & REVIEWS, Acoustic Americana Music Guide, 11-11-11 edition
UPDATE to our story on the Food Drive for the needy, at "The Fork" in Pasadena...
The drive continues Sunday, Nov 13, 8 am to 4 pm, after breaking the all-time record in the city for food donations. On Saturday, over 4,000 pounds were collected. Drop by Sunday (the final day) to donate or to volunteer. See the feature story below for location and details...
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Want to get each weekly edition of the Guide's NEWS FEATURES delivered directly to your inbox? (Without waiting for your webgroup moderator to approve and post it?) Email and subscribe directly, for FREE,
at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
Just say, SUBSCRIBE ME!
(That way, you'll also know each time our SPOTLIGHT EVENTS section gets a major update, though we do NOT email that one, because it's huge.)
WE ARE GRATEFUL to our many website and webgroup partners who faithfully bring you The Guide's weekly News Features. But these are sometimes subject to delay (up to several days, it seems) for moderators of some sites / groups to re-publish for their readers. So why not GO DIRECT!? (Yep, it's still free, and we don't share your email address with anybody.)
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Here's the NEWS – the latest edition – including REVIEWS.
ALL THE EVENTS are in the Guide's companion section – SPOTLIGHT EVENTS – a click away, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/spotlight-events-acoustic-americana_11.html
Let's get started with the NEWS & REVIEWS!
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Tied to the Tracks'
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ACOUSTIC
AMERICANA
MUSIC GUIDE
NEWS FEATURES
November 11, 2011 edition
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THIS WEEK’S NEWS FEATURES
1) It's the Century's Only Perfect Palindrome Day, 11 11 11
2) Giant Civil War Reenactment and Period Music this Weekend in Moorpark
3) Veteran's Day Premiere for New Video, “I'll Go (A Soldier's Oath),” & a Sunday Event
4) This Weekend's Quick Roundup of Events
5) Extravaganza for Recording Artists this Weekend in West L.A.
6) “Put The Fork in Hunger,” Pasadena's Largest Food Drive, is this Weekend
7) ROLAND WHITE BAND Plays this Week, with Top Bluegrassers East & West
8) REVIEW – Across the Digital Divide (# 2)... “Like Desperados” -
Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins, Charlie Daniels Band, others
9) So, What's Up with the “Occupy / 99%” Movement?
Is a “League of Non-Voters” Coming? Is Music Playing a Role?
10) Penn State, Herman Cain, Lindsay Lohan: the Culture of Celebrity vs.
the American Creed
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Here are this week's news feature stories, listed above...
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Our # 1 Story
IT'S THE CENTURY'S PERFECT PALINDROME DAY, 11 11 11
And it goes beyond that. Twice today, the clock will read 11:11:11 on 11-11-11. (Okay, so only the morning reading is completely accurate; the evening one is really 23:11:11, but your clock probably will probably display it with all 1's...)
The perfect symmetry of the day is the calendar and clock's only perfect palindrome, the term for something that reads the same forward and backward. (It's the only one since we started using a zero as a place keeper; you can say you got 1-1-1 in 2001, 6-6-6 in 2006, etc.)
But this is the only one that REALLY works, and more so because it will be doubly visible on the digital clock face. In a simple font, it even reads the same upside down.
Plus, it's Veteran's Day. Originally, it was celebrated as Armistice Day, because the Armistice – the truce that ended World War One – took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, November 11, 1918. That was, of course, 11-11-18. So this is the first Veteran's Day with perfect symmetry, too.
Seven years before that, nothing interesting seems to have happened on the last 11-11-11 – on November 11, 1911. And they didn't use digital timekeeping very often in those days, except to write down the time. It's doubtful anyone thought of the third set of 11's to note the seconds after the minutes, and no clock face offered the 11:11:11 palindrome.
So, it's the first time anyone has been able to view it as a palindrome as it automatically happens, this singularity that occurs only once each century – in the contrived systems we use for measuring the Earth's rotation and our cumulative trips around the sun through the solar year. (Yes, our calendar and our timekeeping system is ARBITRARY, so get off the Great Pyramid with your goofy one-one-one chants, already.)
Of course, if you prefer cards, this is a hand of twelve aces – if you're playing with three decks and get all the high cards in 12 card stud.
However ya figure, it may be based on a contrived reckoning system, but within that system. it's rare as can be. Dozens of Blue Moons rare. Once every 25 Leap Years rare. And since none of us can be sure we'll be here a hundred years from today to see it next time, enjoy the it for the full, complete, ONE SECOND that it's here, twice today. At 11:11:11. On 11-11-11.
So, left-to-right, right-to-left, in the mirror and standing on your head in the mirror or not,
Happy 11 11 11 11 11 11
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Our # 2 Story
GIANT CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT AND PERIOD MUSIC THIS WEEKEND IN MOORPARK
It's billed as “The largest and grandest Civil War event west of the Mississippi.” Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine, brings the 11th Annual “THE BLUE & THE GRAY” Civil War Reenactment to Tierra Rejada Ranch in Moorpark, in inland Ventura County. It includes period music, over 500 uniformed re-enactors in uniform or period dress, five clashes – four historic battle re-enactments (South Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg on the 2nd day, Wheatfield and Little Round Top , and Antietam, plus a “twilight battle” on Saturday evening that's not based on any specific historical engagement.
Rain won't dissuade them. Some of the re-enactors will cite authenticity and tell you when it rained during which real battle, 150 years ago. Yes, we are in the midst of the sesquicentennial of the war that tore the nation apart before the current era of set-the-parking-brake contrarian politics.
This event offers a lot. You can converse with Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, attend Abolitionist rallies, hear military band concerts and take period dance classes. Plus, there's “soldier school” for kids, demonstrations of leather crafting, sewing, blacksmithing, and field camp cooking. There are sutler's tents – the general stores of the day – and North and South soldier's camps you can visit, battlefield surgery re-enactments if you're not too squeamish, and cannons firing in artillery batteries.
Of course, you won't have to forage for your victuals or wait for the quartermaster corps' supply train – there's the modern concession of a food court.
It's “stadium seating” for the battles. Bleacher seats are available (while they last) for an additional $3. It's all presented by the Rotary Club of Moorpark. Saturday's battles happen at noon, 3 pm, & 5:15 pm. Sunday's action is at noon and 2:30 pm.
Tierra Rejada Ranch is located at 3370 Sunset Valley Road, near Moorpark. There's more info, including a video of “President Lincoln” delivering the Gettysburg Address, at www.moorparkrotary.com, or call 805-279-5253. Tickets are $15 general admission; $10 for students; free for children age 5 and younger.
We'll leave you with an interesting stray fact: “Dixie,” the anthem of the Confederacy, was written by a Northerner just before the war. Oh, and Lincoln liked the song, and ordered the US Military band to play it at the White House just after Lee's surrender – not to gloat, but to symbolize that once again, all that is American belongs to all of us. Learn more fascinating trivia like that at this weekend's event.
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Our # 3 Story
VETERAN'S DAY PREMIERE FOR NEW VIDEO,
“I'LL GO (A SOLDIER'S OATH),” & A SUNDAY EVENT
KELLY'S LOT, that high-energy, L.A.-based, globe-traveling, female-fronted blues band, has done something outstanding. This is a truly fine, absolutely first-rate music video that should win an award. The subtle interplay of hand tinted colors and black-and-white still and moving images mixing with then band's performance is compelling.
Watch this brand new video, produced with a brilliant montage of historic photos and a images of the live live performance filmed at a charming venue, the Cahuenga General Store, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5p1Qiqggao
There's more on Kelly and her band, including their concert schedule, at www.kellyslot.com
Next, you can enjoy historic aircraft of World War II and attend a commemorative event on Sunday in Camarillo, just off the 101 Freeway in Ventura County. It brings a ceremony at noon and live acoustic music, in honor of Veteran's Day. It's “Military Family Appreciation Day” at the Commemorative Air Force WWII Museum, 445 Aviation Dr, Camarillo 93010.
TRISH LESTER, a member of the award-winning WOMEN ON THE MOVE trio (1st prize, Vocal Competition, 2011 Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest), will perform. She's sure to feature her original, “Thank a Soldier.” Free admission includes an opportunity to explore the collection of WWII era aircraft, meet those who restore, fly, and care for them, and veterans who flew them.
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Our # 4 Story
THIS WEEKEND'S QUICK ROUNDUP OF EVENTS
After The Guide's feature story last week on the show this Saturday's upcoming show with JOYCE WOODSON and THE TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS, there's more on them in another source – this week's Pasadena Weekly. Uh, except reading the title of their story, someone needs to tell them that this here fandango is WESTERN, not country... Pick it up or read it online at www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/double_shot_of_country/10718
(The Guide's story from last week is still available, at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/news-reviews-acoustic-americana-music.html)
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Here's a QUICK-READ PRESENTATION of what's out there for you this weekend
(details are in the Spotlight Events section, at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/spotlight-events-acoustic-americana_11.html )
FRIDAY, November 11
AL STEWART at McCabe’s is sold out; SWING RIOTS QUIRKTETTE plays the Coffee Gallery Backstage at 8 pm; DAN BERN and JOHN ELLIOTT play the Fretted Frog Acoustic Guitar Store in L.A. at 8 pm; the ILIANA ROSE BAND brings “HOT NIGHTS IN HAVANA!” to the Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena.
SATURDAY, November 12
The “WEST L.A. RECORDING EXPO” runs all weekend (see separate news feature); the “SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TIONÓL,” sponsored by the Southern California Uilleann Pipers' Club, runs all weekend in San Juan Capistrano; 11th Annual “THE BLUE & THE GRAY” Civil War Reenactment, with period music, crackles all weekend in Moorpark (see separate news feature); “PUT THE FORK IN HUNGER” food drive needs volunteers and food donations all weekend in Pasadena (see separate news feature); THE TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS and JOYCE WOODSON bring a double-bill to the Coffee Gallery Backstage at 7 pm (see note above, and last week's feature story);the monthly “GRASSROOTS ACOUSTICA” charity benefit does a special, extended edition, 4-10 pm, with a strong lineup at the Talking Stick in Venice; TONY VICE plus TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS play Butler’s Coffee in Palmdale at 7 pm; INCENDIO plus HOUSE OF GUITARS play the AMSD Concert Series in San Diego at 7:30 pm; JOSH WHITE JR. plays the San Diego Folk Heritage series in Encinitas at 7:30 pm; DAN CRARY plays the Song Tree Concert Series in Goleta at 7:30 pm; THE WICKED TINKERS play the Grand Annex in san Pedro at 8 pm; JORDAN CHARNOFSKY, classical guitarist, performs for the American Guitar Society at L.A. Valley College at 8 pm; PIPER~GREY, the duo of DAVID PIPER & EARL GREY, plus JANEEN RAE HELLER, & RASPIN STUWART, bring an exceptional night of music to the “West Valley Music Acoustic Concert Series” at 8 pm; THREE MUSCKETEERS (Three mUSCketeers) are at Boulevard Music in Culver City at 8 pm; RICHARD PEARSON THOMAS does “SONGS FROM NEW YORK” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena; AL STEWART at McCabe’s is sold out; MARC COHN plays the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills at 9 pm.
SUNDAY, November 13
The first three events listed for Saturday continue today; see above; “PUT THE FORK IN HUNGER” food drive needs volunteers and food donations all weekend in Pasadena (see separate news feature); MURPHY'S FLAW plays its monthly “BLUEGRASS BRUNCH” at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena, 11 am-1 pm; DIDIPOP plays an 11 am Matinee Kids show at McCabe’s; the monthly “COFFEE GALLERY BLUEGRASS JAM SESSION” is free at 12:30 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage; the monthly “FOLK SONG JAM” is at 1 pm at the CTMS Center for Folk Music's new digs in Encino; the monthly “SONGWRITER SANCTUM” showcase brings TOM CORBETT, BRAD COLERICK, MICHAEL JACKSON MOORE, and JAYNEE THORN to Santa Monica at 2 pm; the GOLDEN STATE POPS ORCHESTRA performs “American Music” with a world premiere at 3 pm in San Pedro; STRING MADNESS, the trio of BOB APPLEBAUM, MITCH GREENHILL and PETER SPELMAN, plays Westwood Music at 4 pm; DAVID SOUSA & THE ZYDECO MUDBUGS play the Cajun-zydeco dance series in Long Beach, 5-9 pm; HAPA brings award-winning Hawaiian music to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center at 7 pm; JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS featuring Grammy winner IAN WHITCOMB bring the charming and sometimes “rather naughty” music of the nineteen-teens and twenties to the Coffee Gallery Backstage at 7 pm; TOM CORBETT and JIM ST. OURS play the “Fireside Concert Series” in Newbury Park at 7 pm.
Even if it's raining, are you a-gonna read THAT and stay home? Didn't think so.
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Our # 5 Story
EXTRAVAGANZA FOR RECORDING ARTISTS THIS WEEKEND IN WEST L.A.
The “WEST L.A. RECORDING EXPO” looks like a well-planned, comprehensive and thorough weekend event for recording artists, and for those who want to record their own CD, and for those interested in exploring or getting into other aspects of the music biz, like film scoring. There are seminars by award-winning industry experts, exhibits and new product debuts, hands-on Apple classes, the premiere of new Pro Tools 10, and plenty more.
It's all at West L.A. Music, 11345 Santa Monica Bl, L.A.; 310-477-1945. You can attend free, but you must make a reservation at www.westlamusic.com/recordingexpo or by phone.
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Our # 6 Story
“PUT THE FORK IN HUNGER,” PASADENA'S LARGEST FOOD DRIVE, IS THIS WEEKEND
This one will be bigger than the one that set the all-time record for food donations two years ago at the same place. It brought-in over TWO TONS of food. Organizers took last year off while the giant, iconic “World's Largest Fork in the Road” was away being legalized after its initial installation as a guerrilla art project. It's baaaack, and so are the Forkians.
That eighteen-foot-high fork sculpture was reinstalled last month with official blessings, and it's once again (quite literally) designating the “fork in the road” and serving as a focal point for the creative community's “do-good” projects.
None of those efforts has eclipsed the 2009 “Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Needy” – until now. The Forkians, something of a cult, and the one cult you wouldn't mind your daughter joining, are vowing to eclipse the previous record to collect food donations.
The goal is to feed 5,000 needy folks for Thanksgiving, through Union Station Homeless Services. More on that organization and its programs is at www.UnionStationHS.com
Drive by and drop off canned or boxed / packaged food items – a few or a case or two.
Better yet, become a Forkian and volunteer. There are plenty of open time slots and you'll get to know local artists, musicians and other fun and slightly warped good people.
At press time, organizers were seeking to borrow pop-up canopy tents to protect donated food and volunteers from the predicted rain. The party rental places have no big tents available this weekend, so they need yours, of whatever size.
Contact Phil Coombes if you can volunteer and / or loan your pop-up canopy. Call him at 626-644-3227 or email him at Phil@AgentPhil.com
It all happens 8 am-4 pm, both days, at “Fork Plaza,” under and around The Fork, at 200 Bellefontaine Street. That's the cross-street just above the fork in the road where Pasadena Avenue and St. John Avenue divide.
Bring food donations, spread the word and learn more at www.facebook.com/PutTheForkInHunger
Taking part is a wonderful way to know you will enjoy your Thanksgiving.
May The Fork be with you.
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Our # 7 Story
ROLAND WHITE BAND PLAYS THIS WEEK, WITH TOP BLUEGRASSERS EAST & WEST
Grammy-winning mandolin legend Roland White’s infectious rhythms lead his agile and swinging bluegrass band, in both its East and West Coast versions. His albums are known for many fine things, including “out-on-a-limb” banjo mischief and old-fashioned country duets.
The band exudes a joyful drive that earned a Grammy nomination in 2002 for their CD “Jelly On My Tofu.”
The West Coast line-up of the Roland White Band is a delightful list of “who's who” names:
• ROLAND WHITE on mandolin and vocals
• DIANE BOUSKA on guitar and vocals
• HERB PEDERSEN (Laurel Canyon Ramblers; Desert Rose Band; The Dillards; Country Gazette) on banjo, guitar, and vocals
• BILL BRYSON (Laurel Canyon Ramblers; Desert Rose Band; Bluegrass Etc.) on bass and vocals
• BLAINE SPROUSE on fiddle
ROLAND WHITE has been there, done that. He's been a member of THE KENTUCKY COLONELS; BILL MONROE's band; LESTER FLATT'S NASHVILLE GRASS; COUNTRY GAZETTE; THE WHITE BROTHERS; and THE NASHVILLE BLUEGRASS BAND. Roland is known as one of the few unique stylists on the mandolin, with his own unmistakable sound and touch.
During his distinguished career in bluegrass music, Roland has played in some of the most influential and popular groups in the music history, and has played a large part in creating that history. His gifts as a musician have delighted audiences everywhere. His vitality, soul, and infectious rhythm enable him to dance through his instrument. Add to this his mastery of ensemble playing, harmonic sophistication, and warm voice guided by a swinging sense of phrasing, and you have the legend of bluegrass that Roland has become.
With this splendid ensemble of East and West Coast bluegrass stars, the ROLAND WHITE BAND plays the following concerts this coming week:
> Tuesday, November 15, at 7:30 pm at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-515-4444
> Thursday, November 17, at 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena, info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations 626-798-6236.
> Friday, November 18, at 7:15 pm at Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Av, Los Olivos.
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Our # 8 Story
REVIEW – ACROSS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE (# 2)...
“LIKE DESPERADOS” - JOHNNY CASH, WILLIE NELSON, MARTY ROBBINS,
CHARLIE DANIELS BAND, OTHERS
“Older recordings have a magnetic charm – not simply because many of them were
released primarily on magnetic tape cassette, or before that, on 8-track or 4-track
tape and/or grooved vinyl phonograph record. In an age before pitch correction
software, there was a fundamental honesty to recorded music.
Obviously, not everything new is wonderful, and not everything wonderful is new.
“The Guide's new review series, 'Across the Digital Divide,' brings us face-to-face
with old recordings that should not be forgotten, for the sake of our cultural heritage,
our history, art, our musical legacy – recordings that set high standards of
musicianship and production that we should aspire to meet today.”
- from the introduction to this series.
A cornerstone of Americana music is “outlaw country,” a genre that is as foreign to today's Nashville pop-country as a western saddle is to a plastic lawn chair. This album, a 1998 compilation from Sony Music Special Products, contains some of the most classic outlaw country songs by the genre's biggest stars, in tracks recorded from 1974 to 1982.
Guy Clark's iconic “Desperados Waiting for a Train” supplies the impetus for the title, and that song opens the album, sung by David Allan Coe.
Johnny Cash follows with his original, “Don't Take Your Guns to Town.”
Track 3 is Marty Robbins singing his immortal hit, “El Paso.”
Next is “Red Headed Stranger,” the Stutz / Calisch co-write sung by Willie Nelson; it was Willie's trademark for many years before he recorded “On the Road Again.”
Track 5 is Johnny Paycheck singing the Billy Sherrill / G. Sutton co-write, “The Outlaw's Prayer.”
Track 6 brings Bobby Bare with the Shel Silverstein / M. Davis collaboration, “Tequila Sheila.”
Track 7 is Billy Walker, a name you may not know, singing “Cross the Brazos at Waco,” written by K. Arnold.
Johnny Rodriguez sings track 8, “North of the Border,” a Steve Davis / Billy Sherrill song.
The late Townes Van Zandt just had to be represented on any album with this name or theme, and he is, with “Pancho & Lefty,” the radio hit of years past sung by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.
The last track is the Charlie Daniels Band performing Charlie's original “Billy the Kid,” a song that should be revived and presented alongside the old traditional folk song, every bit as much as Dave Stamey's “Skies of Lincoln County.”
“Like Desperados” has only ten tracks, but what a compilation. With so many signature songs, it's the kind of album that brings back a stampede of memories. We'll share just one. The closing track first appeared on the Charlie Daniels Band's “High Lonesome” LP, and we recall that it was full of gems. It's been years since we've heard all of that long-gone album, including the wonderful title track. But hearing this compilation makes us want to find it again, and makes us wonder what tracks were on the other albums by the artists represented here.
Released on cassette in 1998, Sony re-released the album as a CD in 2001. A web search produced a number of secondary market sites with the CD is available for reasonable prices. Grab it while you can find it easily. That won't always be the case.
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This review is available by itself, as an individual and separate feature, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-across-digital-divide-2-like.html
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WE WELCOME YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR REVIEWS IN THIS SERIES, from blues to bluegrass to borderlands, Cajun to cowboy to Celtic to Cape Breton to Quebecois, music of the sea or the islands, new-old-trad-alt-post folk, and acoustic singer-songwriter music of its day – any acoustic Americana recording that was released ten years ago or more. We may need to ask you to send us a cassette copy or burned CD along with a Xerox or legible scan of the L-card or the 8-track's pasted-on label or the vinyl record's liner notes. If you think it's worth keeping alive and sharing, we probably will, too!
A full description of the Guide's “Across the Digital Divide” review series is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/reviews-new-series-takes-fresh-look-at.html
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Our # 9 Story
SO, WHAT'S UP WITH THE “OCCUPY / 99%” MOVEMENT?
IS A “LEAGUE OF NON-VOTERS” COMING? IS MUSIC PLAYING A ROLE?
This protest movement is different in its modes of expression. From the “people's microphone,” the group repetition of every word from every person who speaks at the podium (the unforeseen consequence of New York City officials banning microphones and amplifiers) – to the instant, global ability to communicate and silently organize via social media and the unlikely associations that brings. Early on, this had “Arab Spring”-like indications of something rolling and gathering inertia on its own internal energy. It seemed a growing gathering fed by a wellspring so formidable that the eventual magnitude of its size and capability of its adherents scared .the hell out of those determined to control change for their own ends.
But the weather is getting colder. And problems have begun to arise. Uniquely, the movement chose to be leaderless. That opened it up to other problems. It could be co-opted i in any given community to pursue an agenda not compatible with participants everywhere else. And the movement seems stuck on that “Occupy” moniker that now seems apt to describe ratty deployments of dirty-looking tents. All-in-all, it would do better to change its name everywhere to “The 99% Movement.” That could help refocus and regain what once seemed coherent, but is far less so as the weeks drag on and the crazy-quilt of participants becomes more diverse and ragged with a plethora of fragmented fringe-movement messages.
Is it a political or an economic or a social justice movement? Yes. The absence of a sound-byte identity and simple mission statement has made it easy for politicians to trivialize, and that adds to the frustrations of the movement's participants with politicians who ignore them. It's not a scenario to gain political influence or a seat at the table.
DISENFRANCHISEMENT, AND OPTING-OUT OF VOTING ?
Could the masses that comprise the 99%, in and out of the movement, be induced by manipulators to feel deeper disillusionment, and “guided” to see no point in one thing in particular – voting? Yes. Carefully examine the many public opinion polls and the trends are already clear.
Young voters, who finally participated in big numbers in 2008, helped elect Barack Obama. For the first time since 18-year-olds got voting rights in the early '70s, people under 30 made a decisive difference in a presidential election.
As a group, and far beyond the Occupy movement, young people are not inspired to vote this time around. And they are not alone.
Without a zealous Tea Party Republican nominee, the teabaggers may stay home. On the opposite side, the absence of a coherent, innovative Democratic Party agenda being pursued by the White House means that progressives may stay home. All the signs are there.
The wealthy can spend money to support their agenda or simply to seed mistrust among others. It's happened before. They could simply make the downtrodden more disillusioned. Disillusioned enough to disenfranchise themselves.
An ultimate irony is coming: during the Civil Rights Movement, the disenfranchised fought for their rights to vote. Now, disillusioned masses might, in droves, give up entirely on the notion of bothering to vote. Why? They may see voting as a useless act that their opponents will cynically co-opt to legitimize an election in which all supposedly participated equally. But with organized efforts to disenfranchise voters, particularly in minority communities and districts, it's already evident that we do not have a level playing field.
Organized disenfranchisement should make every American angry enough to fight for the votes of all to be counted. But it isn't. The seeds have been carefully cultivated to make us fear the intrusion of “those people,” those who “have no business voting,” whether they are suspected of being illegal immigrants or convicted felons or simply too stupid to cancel-out the votes of the informed.
The net effect isn't to make everyone fight for their rights. More people than ever are simply disgusted and sensing futility. Add those who have invested their emotional energy in movements that have not succeeded, whether teabaggers or 99 percenters, and you have an unprecedented number who just don't see any point in paying attention anymore to bloviating, do-nothing politicians.
Dylan Ratigan, TV host and creator of a “Get money out of politics” website, has been presenting evidence. His data shows that 94% of the time, in any election for any office, the candidate with the most money wins. And who has the money to purchase their politicians?
It's shocking but not surprising. Former California Assembly Speaker Jesse Unruh famously said three decades ago that “Money is the mother's milk of politics.” Will Rogers remarked in the 1920s about voting for politicians that, “It only encourages them.” He also observed, “We have the finest government money can buy.”
A “LEAGUE OF NON-VOTERS” - ?
We may soon be governed by people who literally do not represent us, because too many of us see no point in fighting the overwhelming spending by corporations that purchase politicians to do things their way. With that conclusion reached, why vote?
It's not individual or group apathy. It would be an intentional act, driven by entrenched and widespread disgust. It's the electoral equivalent of a sit-in. It will be tantamount to an organized “League of Non-Voters.”
And while that will bring hoots of celebration in all those big, black-glassed corporate headquarters towers, it's not good for America. How many of us will see government as legitimate when it is elected by a decreasing minority who vote their personal interests, while everyone else perceives the futility of trying to make a difference for the common good?
It's conceivable that someone will see an opportunity to get in front of this phenomenon and actually organize “The League of Non-Voters.” It could be a powerful tool for either side. It would work like this: “We won't vote for you, or for anybody, or for or against anything, unless and until you start doing what we want, advocating what we want, proposing serious measures and plans and legislation to accomplish what we want, looking out for us, working for our needs and interests, instead of the greedy desires of the corporations and rich special interests who bought you and your favor. Go ahead, keep working only for them, and we will simply stop acknowledging your authority or your legitimacy. If you wish to be irrelevant to us, we will make you irrelevant to us.”
It could be the ultimate expression of “Speaking truth to power,” or in the '60s phrase, bringing “Power to the People.” It could also get very, very ugly. But it may be time.
We find ourselves less hopeful. But...
ONE GOOD, PROTEST SONG ?
Artists, throughout history, have been the ones to inspire action and fortitude with enduring images and poetic and powerful words and moving songs, and to create epistles of courage when things appear hopeless.
Seems like one, good protest song could make a difference, doesn't it?
Those songs are being written and performed. Recording artists, some on major folk labels, are contributing revenues from sales of their songs to the ubiquitous, if intentionally leaderless “Occupy” movement.
A recent Red House Records press release began with the words, “In solidarity with the 'Occupy Wall Street' protestors, Americana songwriter Pieta Brown is offering her song 'I Want It Back'...”
I DREAMED I SAW JOE HILL LAST NIGHT...
There's a well-timed new book on Joe Hill, the 1914 labor organizer. He was made famous by Joan Baez when she sang at Woodstock, “I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, alive as you or me, says I 'But Joe, you're ten years dead,' 'I never died,' said he, 'I never died,' said he.”
Hill was accused of murder amidst labor strife, tried and executed by firing squad. The new book by William M. Adler, “The Man Who Never Died,” presents new evidence that Hill was innocent and framed by the Robber Barons to scare-off the labor organizers. Those were dangerous times. At stake was whether a wealthy few would wield the bulk of the power in society, and be able to keep the deck stacked for themselves. Do our times mirror those?
( Concludes at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/so-whats-up-with-occupy-99-movement-is.html )
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Our # 10 Story
PENN STATE, HERMAN CAIN, LINDSAY LOHAN: THE CULTURE OF CELEBRITY VS. THE AMERICAN CREED
So what the HELL does that list of diverse people and things have in common?
Actually, it does.
Sometimes, individual events need the context of the bigger picture. Let's consider some current events in terms of our society's guiding framework – the “American creed.” It's the cleaving point where each of us decides what we think of things as they happen, and the origin of inner and outer conflicts in our celebrity-obsessed society.
The Founding Fathers first referred to an American creed. Jefferson wrote extensively about it. So did John Adams. To them, it was a new, humanist, non-ecclesiastical religion.
Webster's offers several definitions of “creed,” and a key one is, “a reading or statement of belief that summarizes the faith it represents; a definite summary of what is believed; a confession of faith for public use; esp., one which is brief and comprehensive.” Another is, “any summary of principles or opinions professed or adhered to.”
Keeping that in mind, look at the people in the news and current events. It's enlightening to question things. Sometimes, to reconsider everything, and seek some meaning from it.
Celebrities get a get-out-of-jail-free card for doing things that would put the rest of us behind bars or earn us the ultimate “just go-away and stop bothering people,” or at least get us disavowed and disowned by all who know us – THAT kind of humiliation. But badly-behaving celebrities stay on the media's stage, and the spotlight on them grows brighter and wanders off them less as they act out. At least, that's what happens most of the time (Mel Gibson aside).
And then there are times when things are crazy in the other direction. Things even go horribly tragic sometimes, and that's compounded when our obsession with the “celebrity value” of a situation takes attention from the victims of a genuine human tragedy.
Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, a living legend, was just fired because he didn't do enough – beyond reporting an allegation brought to him – when a senior member of the coaching staff allegedly molested a young boy in the Penn State locker room. Yet, the assistant coach who actually says he saw it happening (but didn't stop it) and reported it to Paterno will be on the sidelines for Saturday's game. The lack of justice in that is obvious. Is Paterno too much a celebrity to stay, but that assistant coach is not?
Meanwhile, Lindsay Lohan gets all kinds of deferential and preferential treatment to allow her to arrive endlessly late to clean a few public restroom toilets, instead of serving the jail sentence she deserves.
That's okay, but a man who – by his own statement – saw a child being raped by an adult he knew, and didn't jump in and physically stop it, keeps his job? And his celebrity boss, who only heard about it afterward and reported it, takes the rap for grossly inadequate action?
Joe Paterno was a rare coach who kept track of his player's academic progress. His players were expected to be student athletes. They were expected to graduate. They did. That's almost unknown in big-money college sports.
Against this backdrop, there's enough room in the news cycle to give airtime and ink to talentless celebrity bums who are (inscrutably) famous for being famous. (It's a big “WTF?”) To wit, in the midst of the Penn State scandal, one of those interchangeable and talentless Kardassian clothes horses gets media time to whine about a marriage that didn't take, weeks after her recent multimillion-dollar wedding. We don't even want to waste a phrase like “Poor pampered baby.” We don't want to know anything about her. We want her 15 minutes to end.
Why throw that in the mix? Because everything is connected to everything else. It goes beyond our society's idiotic, cult-like obsession with the various manifestations of celebrity worship. It's a collision of contrived “reality” and what we profess we believe.
We are witnessing a high-speed head-on crash with the essence of the American creed.
( Concludes at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/penn-state-herman-cain-lindsay-lohan.htm )
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MORE STUFF >>>>>>> Resources, etc
Our VENUE DIRECTORY
...with OVER 500 acoustic-music-friendly venues in Southern California, is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/02/venue-directory-from-guide-updated.html
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RECENT EDITIONS of The Guide's NEWS FEATURES are still available!
Just check our archive! Read the contents bar on the left side of the page at www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com and click the appropriate month.
The MOST RECENT past editions (last 30 days) are easy to find HERE:
“Artists Join 'Occupy Wall Street'...,” The Guide's October 7 feature story and your comments to it, is available BY ITSELF, with YOUR COMMENTS, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/artists-join-occupy-wall-street-as.html
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November 3 edition is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/news-reviews-acoustic-americana-music.html
and the stories are:
Late additions, added after publication:
> “JOE HILL NIGHT,” Sunday, November 6
> "GIVE ME THE BANJO - Arts from the Blue Ridge Mountains" premieres Friday, Nov 4,
on PBS - TV.
November 3 edition, as originally published...
1) Bluegrass on DAVID LETTERMAN Thursday Night
2) ROSS ALTMAN Performs “SONGS OF JOE HILL” Friday Afternoon
3) Saturday is Folk Concert-Crazy in Southern Cal...
4) GRAM PARSONS 65th B'day Tribute at Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance, November 7
5) GORDON LIGHTFOOT Playing Local Shows November 8 & 9
6) Nominees THE TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS and JOYCE WOODSON to Perform Together En-Route to Western Music Awards
7) CD Review – DAFNI, “Sweet Time”
8) Reviews – New Series Takes a Fresh Look at Old Recordings,
“Across the Digital Divide...”
9) Review – Across the Digital Divide... “Home Sweet Home,” a Cassette Treasure
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October 27 edition is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/news-features-acoustic-americana-music_28.html
and the stories are:
1) Irish, Celtic Music Plentiful for “SAMHAIN,” Original Halloween / Celtic New Year
2) “TWO SIDES OF CELTIC” Show at Caltech Saturday Night
3) Guerrilla Art Returns with Mayor On-Board – May The Fork Be with You
4) Music Got Us to the Moon – Where Might it Yet Take Us?
The biggest and final Mars lander touches down in November. Is there meaning for Artists?
5) STAGECOACH and COACHELLA Will Grow to 3 Days in 2012
6) Strong Mountain Roots / Bluegrass / Newgrass Double-Bill on Friday
7) YOU can still add your comment at the HUGE RESPONSE to our feature,
“Artists Join 'OCCUPY WALL STREET'...”
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October 14 edition is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/news-features-acoustic-americana-music_14.html
and the stories are:
1) Festivals & Semi-Annual “Art Night” in Pasadena this Weekend
2) Blues Bands Perform in International Finals, Saturday in Arcadia
3) May the Fork Be with You – “Ride-the-Fork” Music Party Saturday, Raise “The Fork
in the Road” next Friday, at Altadena & Pasadena Events
4) West Valley Music Launches Concert Season Saturday with Performing Songwriters &
Touring Artists JAMES HURLEY, LISA NEMZO, RASPIN STUWART
5) SONGSALIVE! Hosts Annual Music Picnic this Sunday
6) JUDY COLLINS and AMERICA to headline GRAMMY Museum in early November
7) October at GRAMMY Museum Bringing Live Music, Big Names, Substance
8) “SQUEAKY WHEEL TOUR” Live Acoustic Show, to Help Bring Home Missing People,
Monday, October 17 in West L.A.
9) TIM GRIMM, musician / actor / top folk-Americana Music Award-Winner, plus
THE SWEET POTATOES, play Wednesday, October 19 in Altadena
10) Whoa! More on WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS –
CD release October 21 at “International Fork Day” Concert
11) TOM RUSSELL “Mesabi Tour of the West” in L.A. for Two Shows, October 22
12) ALEX BEATON, Musician Paralyzed in Accident, Regaining Movement
13) HUGE RESPONSE to last week's feature, “Artists Join 'OCCUPY WALL STREET'
as Unemployment, Economy Worsen,” and how YOU can respond
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Questions? Comments? Contact us through our Blogspot site or by email at
tied to the tracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
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You can always find the LATEST EDITION of THE ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE, with separate links for:
1) the latest NEWS FEATURES, with feature stories / reviews / editorials / current acoustic music happenings / "heads up" notices to buy advance tickets for shows likely to sell-out / news you can't find anywhere else from and about the world of acoustic and Americana music and artists;
2) the latest SPOTLIGHT EVENTS section, with new and updated info on festivals / artist workshops / schedules and calendars for concerts, club gigs, live music happenings, acoustic & Americana music-related events / and more;
3) The Guide's VENUE DIRECTORY of over 500 acoustic music-friendly venues in Southern California – the places TO HEAR MUSIC, or CONTACT TO GET GIGS.
It's all available 24/7 (& frequently updated!) at ~
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www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
- or follow any of the links in the fifteen web sites and web groups that carry the Guide’s weekly News Features.
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The drive continues Sunday, Nov 13, 8 am to 4 pm, after breaking the all-time record in the city for food donations. On Saturday, over 4,000 pounds were collected. Drop by Sunday (the final day) to donate or to volunteer. See the feature story below for location and details...
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WE ARE GRATEFUL to our many website and webgroup partners who faithfully bring you The Guide's weekly News Features. But these are sometimes subject to delay (up to several days, it seems) for moderators of some sites / groups to re-publish for their readers. So why not GO DIRECT!? (Yep, it's still free, and we don't share your email address with anybody.)
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Here's the NEWS – the latest edition – including REVIEWS.
ALL THE EVENTS are in the Guide's companion section – SPOTLIGHT EVENTS – a click away, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/spotlight-events-acoustic-americana_11.html
Let's get started with the NEWS & REVIEWS!
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ACOUSTIC
AMERICANA
MUSIC GUIDE
NEWS FEATURES
November 11, 2011 edition
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THIS WEEK’S NEWS FEATURES
1) It's the Century's Only Perfect Palindrome Day, 11 11 11
2) Giant Civil War Reenactment and Period Music this Weekend in Moorpark
3) Veteran's Day Premiere for New Video, “I'll Go (A Soldier's Oath),” & a Sunday Event
4) This Weekend's Quick Roundup of Events
5) Extravaganza for Recording Artists this Weekend in West L.A.
6) “Put The Fork in Hunger,” Pasadena's Largest Food Drive, is this Weekend
7) ROLAND WHITE BAND Plays this Week, with Top Bluegrassers East & West
8) REVIEW – Across the Digital Divide (# 2)... “Like Desperados” -
Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins, Charlie Daniels Band, others
9) So, What's Up with the “Occupy / 99%” Movement?
Is a “League of Non-Voters” Coming? Is Music Playing a Role?
10) Penn State, Herman Cain, Lindsay Lohan: the Culture of Celebrity vs.
the American Creed
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Here are this week's news feature stories, listed above...
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Our # 1 Story
IT'S THE CENTURY'S PERFECT PALINDROME DAY, 11 11 11
And it goes beyond that. Twice today, the clock will read 11:11:11 on 11-11-11. (Okay, so only the morning reading is completely accurate; the evening one is really 23:11:11, but your clock probably will probably display it with all 1's...)
The perfect symmetry of the day is the calendar and clock's only perfect palindrome, the term for something that reads the same forward and backward. (It's the only one since we started using a zero as a place keeper; you can say you got 1-1-1 in 2001, 6-6-6 in 2006, etc.)
But this is the only one that REALLY works, and more so because it will be doubly visible on the digital clock face. In a simple font, it even reads the same upside down.
Plus, it's Veteran's Day. Originally, it was celebrated as Armistice Day, because the Armistice – the truce that ended World War One – took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, November 11, 1918. That was, of course, 11-11-18. So this is the first Veteran's Day with perfect symmetry, too.
Seven years before that, nothing interesting seems to have happened on the last 11-11-11 – on November 11, 1911. And they didn't use digital timekeeping very often in those days, except to write down the time. It's doubtful anyone thought of the third set of 11's to note the seconds after the minutes, and no clock face offered the 11:11:11 palindrome.
So, it's the first time anyone has been able to view it as a palindrome as it automatically happens, this singularity that occurs only once each century – in the contrived systems we use for measuring the Earth's rotation and our cumulative trips around the sun through the solar year. (Yes, our calendar and our timekeeping system is ARBITRARY, so get off the Great Pyramid with your goofy one-one-one chants, already.)
Of course, if you prefer cards, this is a hand of twelve aces – if you're playing with three decks and get all the high cards in 12 card stud.
However ya figure, it may be based on a contrived reckoning system, but within that system. it's rare as can be. Dozens of Blue Moons rare. Once every 25 Leap Years rare. And since none of us can be sure we'll be here a hundred years from today to see it next time, enjoy the it for the full, complete, ONE SECOND that it's here, twice today. At 11:11:11. On 11-11-11.
So, left-to-right, right-to-left, in the mirror and standing on your head in the mirror or not,
Happy 11 11 11 11 11 11
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Our # 2 Story
GIANT CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT AND PERIOD MUSIC THIS WEEKEND IN MOORPARK
It's billed as “The largest and grandest Civil War event west of the Mississippi.” Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine, brings the 11th Annual “THE BLUE & THE GRAY” Civil War Reenactment to Tierra Rejada Ranch in Moorpark, in inland Ventura County. It includes period music, over 500 uniformed re-enactors in uniform or period dress, five clashes – four historic battle re-enactments (South Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg on the 2nd day, Wheatfield and Little Round Top , and Antietam, plus a “twilight battle” on Saturday evening that's not based on any specific historical engagement.
Rain won't dissuade them. Some of the re-enactors will cite authenticity and tell you when it rained during which real battle, 150 years ago. Yes, we are in the midst of the sesquicentennial of the war that tore the nation apart before the current era of set-the-parking-brake contrarian politics.
This event offers a lot. You can converse with Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, attend Abolitionist rallies, hear military band concerts and take period dance classes. Plus, there's “soldier school” for kids, demonstrations of leather crafting, sewing, blacksmithing, and field camp cooking. There are sutler's tents – the general stores of the day – and North and South soldier's camps you can visit, battlefield surgery re-enactments if you're not too squeamish, and cannons firing in artillery batteries.
Of course, you won't have to forage for your victuals or wait for the quartermaster corps' supply train – there's the modern concession of a food court.
It's “stadium seating” for the battles. Bleacher seats are available (while they last) for an additional $3. It's all presented by the Rotary Club of Moorpark. Saturday's battles happen at noon, 3 pm, & 5:15 pm. Sunday's action is at noon and 2:30 pm.
Tierra Rejada Ranch is located at 3370 Sunset Valley Road, near Moorpark. There's more info, including a video of “President Lincoln” delivering the Gettysburg Address, at www.moorparkrotary.com, or call 805-279-5253. Tickets are $15 general admission; $10 for students; free for children age 5 and younger.
We'll leave you with an interesting stray fact: “Dixie,” the anthem of the Confederacy, was written by a Northerner just before the war. Oh, and Lincoln liked the song, and ordered the US Military band to play it at the White House just after Lee's surrender – not to gloat, but to symbolize that once again, all that is American belongs to all of us. Learn more fascinating trivia like that at this weekend's event.
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Our # 3 Story
VETERAN'S DAY PREMIERE FOR NEW VIDEO,
“I'LL GO (A SOLDIER'S OATH),” & A SUNDAY EVENT
KELLY'S LOT, that high-energy, L.A.-based, globe-traveling, female-fronted blues band, has done something outstanding. This is a truly fine, absolutely first-rate music video that should win an award. The subtle interplay of hand tinted colors and black-and-white still and moving images mixing with then band's performance is compelling.
Watch this brand new video, produced with a brilliant montage of historic photos and a images of the live live performance filmed at a charming venue, the Cahuenga General Store, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5p1Qiqggao
There's more on Kelly and her band, including their concert schedule, at www.kellyslot.com
Next, you can enjoy historic aircraft of World War II and attend a commemorative event on Sunday in Camarillo, just off the 101 Freeway in Ventura County. It brings a ceremony at noon and live acoustic music, in honor of Veteran's Day. It's “Military Family Appreciation Day” at the Commemorative Air Force WWII Museum, 445 Aviation Dr, Camarillo 93010.
TRISH LESTER, a member of the award-winning WOMEN ON THE MOVE trio (1st prize, Vocal Competition, 2011 Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest), will perform. She's sure to feature her original, “Thank a Soldier.” Free admission includes an opportunity to explore the collection of WWII era aircraft, meet those who restore, fly, and care for them, and veterans who flew them.
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Our # 4 Story
THIS WEEKEND'S QUICK ROUNDUP OF EVENTS
After The Guide's feature story last week on the show this Saturday's upcoming show with JOYCE WOODSON and THE TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS, there's more on them in another source – this week's Pasadena Weekly. Uh, except reading the title of their story, someone needs to tell them that this here fandango is WESTERN, not country... Pick it up or read it online at www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/double_shot_of_country/10718
(The Guide's story from last week is still available, at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/news-reviews-acoustic-americana-music.html)
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Here's a QUICK-READ PRESENTATION of what's out there for you this weekend
(details are in the Spotlight Events section, at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/spotlight-events-acoustic-americana_11.html )
FRIDAY, November 11
AL STEWART at McCabe’s is sold out; SWING RIOTS QUIRKTETTE plays the Coffee Gallery Backstage at 8 pm; DAN BERN and JOHN ELLIOTT play the Fretted Frog Acoustic Guitar Store in L.A. at 8 pm; the ILIANA ROSE BAND brings “HOT NIGHTS IN HAVANA!” to the Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena.
SATURDAY, November 12
The “WEST L.A. RECORDING EXPO” runs all weekend (see separate news feature); the “SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TIONÓL,” sponsored by the Southern California Uilleann Pipers' Club, runs all weekend in San Juan Capistrano; 11th Annual “THE BLUE & THE GRAY” Civil War Reenactment, with period music, crackles all weekend in Moorpark (see separate news feature); “PUT THE FORK IN HUNGER” food drive needs volunteers and food donations all weekend in Pasadena (see separate news feature); THE TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS and JOYCE WOODSON bring a double-bill to the Coffee Gallery Backstage at 7 pm (see note above, and last week's feature story);the monthly “GRASSROOTS ACOUSTICA” charity benefit does a special, extended edition, 4-10 pm, with a strong lineup at the Talking Stick in Venice; TONY VICE plus TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS play Butler’s Coffee in Palmdale at 7 pm; INCENDIO plus HOUSE OF GUITARS play the AMSD Concert Series in San Diego at 7:30 pm; JOSH WHITE JR. plays the San Diego Folk Heritage series in Encinitas at 7:30 pm; DAN CRARY plays the Song Tree Concert Series in Goleta at 7:30 pm; THE WICKED TINKERS play the Grand Annex in san Pedro at 8 pm; JORDAN CHARNOFSKY, classical guitarist, performs for the American Guitar Society at L.A. Valley College at 8 pm; PIPER~GREY, the duo of DAVID PIPER & EARL GREY, plus JANEEN RAE HELLER, & RASPIN STUWART, bring an exceptional night of music to the “West Valley Music Acoustic Concert Series” at 8 pm; THREE MUSCKETEERS (Three mUSCketeers) are at Boulevard Music in Culver City at 8 pm; RICHARD PEARSON THOMAS does “SONGS FROM NEW YORK” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena; AL STEWART at McCabe’s is sold out; MARC COHN plays the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills at 9 pm.
SUNDAY, November 13
The first three events listed for Saturday continue today; see above; “PUT THE FORK IN HUNGER” food drive needs volunteers and food donations all weekend in Pasadena (see separate news feature); MURPHY'S FLAW plays its monthly “BLUEGRASS BRUNCH” at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena, 11 am-1 pm; DIDIPOP plays an 11 am Matinee Kids show at McCabe’s; the monthly “COFFEE GALLERY BLUEGRASS JAM SESSION” is free at 12:30 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage; the monthly “FOLK SONG JAM” is at 1 pm at the CTMS Center for Folk Music's new digs in Encino; the monthly “SONGWRITER SANCTUM” showcase brings TOM CORBETT, BRAD COLERICK, MICHAEL JACKSON MOORE, and JAYNEE THORN to Santa Monica at 2 pm; the GOLDEN STATE POPS ORCHESTRA performs “American Music” with a world premiere at 3 pm in San Pedro; STRING MADNESS, the trio of BOB APPLEBAUM, MITCH GREENHILL and PETER SPELMAN, plays Westwood Music at 4 pm; DAVID SOUSA & THE ZYDECO MUDBUGS play the Cajun-zydeco dance series in Long Beach, 5-9 pm; HAPA brings award-winning Hawaiian music to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center at 7 pm; JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS featuring Grammy winner IAN WHITCOMB bring the charming and sometimes “rather naughty” music of the nineteen-teens and twenties to the Coffee Gallery Backstage at 7 pm; TOM CORBETT and JIM ST. OURS play the “Fireside Concert Series” in Newbury Park at 7 pm.
Even if it's raining, are you a-gonna read THAT and stay home? Didn't think so.
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Our # 5 Story
EXTRAVAGANZA FOR RECORDING ARTISTS THIS WEEKEND IN WEST L.A.
The “WEST L.A. RECORDING EXPO” looks like a well-planned, comprehensive and thorough weekend event for recording artists, and for those who want to record their own CD, and for those interested in exploring or getting into other aspects of the music biz, like film scoring. There are seminars by award-winning industry experts, exhibits and new product debuts, hands-on Apple classes, the premiere of new Pro Tools 10, and plenty more.
It's all at West L.A. Music, 11345 Santa Monica Bl, L.A.; 310-477-1945. You can attend free, but you must make a reservation at www.westlamusic.com/recordingexpo or by phone.
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Our # 6 Story
“PUT THE FORK IN HUNGER,” PASADENA'S LARGEST FOOD DRIVE, IS THIS WEEKEND
This one will be bigger than the one that set the all-time record for food donations two years ago at the same place. It brought-in over TWO TONS of food. Organizers took last year off while the giant, iconic “World's Largest Fork in the Road” was away being legalized after its initial installation as a guerrilla art project. It's baaaack, and so are the Forkians.
That eighteen-foot-high fork sculpture was reinstalled last month with official blessings, and it's once again (quite literally) designating the “fork in the road” and serving as a focal point for the creative community's “do-good” projects.
None of those efforts has eclipsed the 2009 “Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Needy” – until now. The Forkians, something of a cult, and the one cult you wouldn't mind your daughter joining, are vowing to eclipse the previous record to collect food donations.
The goal is to feed 5,000 needy folks for Thanksgiving, through Union Station Homeless Services. More on that organization and its programs is at www.UnionStationHS.com
Drive by and drop off canned or boxed / packaged food items – a few or a case or two.
Better yet, become a Forkian and volunteer. There are plenty of open time slots and you'll get to know local artists, musicians and other fun and slightly warped good people.
At press time, organizers were seeking to borrow pop-up canopy tents to protect donated food and volunteers from the predicted rain. The party rental places have no big tents available this weekend, so they need yours, of whatever size.
Contact Phil Coombes if you can volunteer and / or loan your pop-up canopy. Call him at 626-644-3227 or email him at Phil@AgentPhil.com
It all happens 8 am-4 pm, both days, at “Fork Plaza,” under and around The Fork, at 200 Bellefontaine Street. That's the cross-street just above the fork in the road where Pasadena Avenue and St. John Avenue divide.
Bring food donations, spread the word and learn more at www.facebook.com/PutTheForkInHunger
Taking part is a wonderful way to know you will enjoy your Thanksgiving.
May The Fork be with you.
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Our # 7 Story
ROLAND WHITE BAND PLAYS THIS WEEK, WITH TOP BLUEGRASSERS EAST & WEST
Grammy-winning mandolin legend Roland White’s infectious rhythms lead his agile and swinging bluegrass band, in both its East and West Coast versions. His albums are known for many fine things, including “out-on-a-limb” banjo mischief and old-fashioned country duets.
The band exudes a joyful drive that earned a Grammy nomination in 2002 for their CD “Jelly On My Tofu.”
The West Coast line-up of the Roland White Band is a delightful list of “who's who” names:
• ROLAND WHITE on mandolin and vocals
• DIANE BOUSKA on guitar and vocals
• HERB PEDERSEN (Laurel Canyon Ramblers; Desert Rose Band; The Dillards; Country Gazette) on banjo, guitar, and vocals
• BILL BRYSON (Laurel Canyon Ramblers; Desert Rose Band; Bluegrass Etc.) on bass and vocals
• BLAINE SPROUSE on fiddle
ROLAND WHITE has been there, done that. He's been a member of THE KENTUCKY COLONELS; BILL MONROE's band; LESTER FLATT'S NASHVILLE GRASS; COUNTRY GAZETTE; THE WHITE BROTHERS; and THE NASHVILLE BLUEGRASS BAND. Roland is known as one of the few unique stylists on the mandolin, with his own unmistakable sound and touch.
During his distinguished career in bluegrass music, Roland has played in some of the most influential and popular groups in the music history, and has played a large part in creating that history. His gifts as a musician have delighted audiences everywhere. His vitality, soul, and infectious rhythm enable him to dance through his instrument. Add to this his mastery of ensemble playing, harmonic sophistication, and warm voice guided by a swinging sense of phrasing, and you have the legend of bluegrass that Roland has become.
With this splendid ensemble of East and West Coast bluegrass stars, the ROLAND WHITE BAND plays the following concerts this coming week:
> Tuesday, November 15, at 7:30 pm at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-515-4444
> Thursday, November 17, at 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena, info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations 626-798-6236.
> Friday, November 18, at 7:15 pm at Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Av, Los Olivos.
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Our # 8 Story
REVIEW – ACROSS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE (# 2)...
“LIKE DESPERADOS” - JOHNNY CASH, WILLIE NELSON, MARTY ROBBINS,
CHARLIE DANIELS BAND, OTHERS
“Older recordings have a magnetic charm – not simply because many of them were
released primarily on magnetic tape cassette, or before that, on 8-track or 4-track
tape and/or grooved vinyl phonograph record. In an age before pitch correction
software, there was a fundamental honesty to recorded music.
Obviously, not everything new is wonderful, and not everything wonderful is new.
“The Guide's new review series, 'Across the Digital Divide,' brings us face-to-face
with old recordings that should not be forgotten, for the sake of our cultural heritage,
our history, art, our musical legacy – recordings that set high standards of
musicianship and production that we should aspire to meet today.”
- from the introduction to this series.
A cornerstone of Americana music is “outlaw country,” a genre that is as foreign to today's Nashville pop-country as a western saddle is to a plastic lawn chair. This album, a 1998 compilation from Sony Music Special Products, contains some of the most classic outlaw country songs by the genre's biggest stars, in tracks recorded from 1974 to 1982.
Guy Clark's iconic “Desperados Waiting for a Train” supplies the impetus for the title, and that song opens the album, sung by David Allan Coe.
Johnny Cash follows with his original, “Don't Take Your Guns to Town.”
Track 3 is Marty Robbins singing his immortal hit, “El Paso.”
Next is “Red Headed Stranger,” the Stutz / Calisch co-write sung by Willie Nelson; it was Willie's trademark for many years before he recorded “On the Road Again.”
Track 5 is Johnny Paycheck singing the Billy Sherrill / G. Sutton co-write, “The Outlaw's Prayer.”
Track 6 brings Bobby Bare with the Shel Silverstein / M. Davis collaboration, “Tequila Sheila.”
Track 7 is Billy Walker, a name you may not know, singing “Cross the Brazos at Waco,” written by K. Arnold.
Johnny Rodriguez sings track 8, “North of the Border,” a Steve Davis / Billy Sherrill song.
The late Townes Van Zandt just had to be represented on any album with this name or theme, and he is, with “Pancho & Lefty,” the radio hit of years past sung by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.
The last track is the Charlie Daniels Band performing Charlie's original “Billy the Kid,” a song that should be revived and presented alongside the old traditional folk song, every bit as much as Dave Stamey's “Skies of Lincoln County.”
“Like Desperados” has only ten tracks, but what a compilation. With so many signature songs, it's the kind of album that brings back a stampede of memories. We'll share just one. The closing track first appeared on the Charlie Daniels Band's “High Lonesome” LP, and we recall that it was full of gems. It's been years since we've heard all of that long-gone album, including the wonderful title track. But hearing this compilation makes us want to find it again, and makes us wonder what tracks were on the other albums by the artists represented here.
Released on cassette in 1998, Sony re-released the album as a CD in 2001. A web search produced a number of secondary market sites with the CD is available for reasonable prices. Grab it while you can find it easily. That won't always be the case.
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This review is available by itself, as an individual and separate feature, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-across-digital-divide-2-like.html
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WE WELCOME YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR REVIEWS IN THIS SERIES, from blues to bluegrass to borderlands, Cajun to cowboy to Celtic to Cape Breton to Quebecois, music of the sea or the islands, new-old-trad-alt-post folk, and acoustic singer-songwriter music of its day – any acoustic Americana recording that was released ten years ago or more. We may need to ask you to send us a cassette copy or burned CD along with a Xerox or legible scan of the L-card or the 8-track's pasted-on label or the vinyl record's liner notes. If you think it's worth keeping alive and sharing, we probably will, too!
A full description of the Guide's “Across the Digital Divide” review series is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/reviews-new-series-takes-fresh-look-at.html
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Our # 9 Story
SO, WHAT'S UP WITH THE “OCCUPY / 99%” MOVEMENT?
IS A “LEAGUE OF NON-VOTERS” COMING? IS MUSIC PLAYING A ROLE?
This protest movement is different in its modes of expression. From the “people's microphone,” the group repetition of every word from every person who speaks at the podium (the unforeseen consequence of New York City officials banning microphones and amplifiers) – to the instant, global ability to communicate and silently organize via social media and the unlikely associations that brings. Early on, this had “Arab Spring”-like indications of something rolling and gathering inertia on its own internal energy. It seemed a growing gathering fed by a wellspring so formidable that the eventual magnitude of its size and capability of its adherents scared .the hell out of those determined to control change for their own ends.
But the weather is getting colder. And problems have begun to arise. Uniquely, the movement chose to be leaderless. That opened it up to other problems. It could be co-opted i in any given community to pursue an agenda not compatible with participants everywhere else. And the movement seems stuck on that “Occupy” moniker that now seems apt to describe ratty deployments of dirty-looking tents. All-in-all, it would do better to change its name everywhere to “The 99% Movement.” That could help refocus and regain what once seemed coherent, but is far less so as the weeks drag on and the crazy-quilt of participants becomes more diverse and ragged with a plethora of fragmented fringe-movement messages.
Is it a political or an economic or a social justice movement? Yes. The absence of a sound-byte identity and simple mission statement has made it easy for politicians to trivialize, and that adds to the frustrations of the movement's participants with politicians who ignore them. It's not a scenario to gain political influence or a seat at the table.
DISENFRANCHISEMENT, AND OPTING-OUT OF VOTING ?
Could the masses that comprise the 99%, in and out of the movement, be induced by manipulators to feel deeper disillusionment, and “guided” to see no point in one thing in particular – voting? Yes. Carefully examine the many public opinion polls and the trends are already clear.
Young voters, who finally participated in big numbers in 2008, helped elect Barack Obama. For the first time since 18-year-olds got voting rights in the early '70s, people under 30 made a decisive difference in a presidential election.
As a group, and far beyond the Occupy movement, young people are not inspired to vote this time around. And they are not alone.
Without a zealous Tea Party Republican nominee, the teabaggers may stay home. On the opposite side, the absence of a coherent, innovative Democratic Party agenda being pursued by the White House means that progressives may stay home. All the signs are there.
The wealthy can spend money to support their agenda or simply to seed mistrust among others. It's happened before. They could simply make the downtrodden more disillusioned. Disillusioned enough to disenfranchise themselves.
An ultimate irony is coming: during the Civil Rights Movement, the disenfranchised fought for their rights to vote. Now, disillusioned masses might, in droves, give up entirely on the notion of bothering to vote. Why? They may see voting as a useless act that their opponents will cynically co-opt to legitimize an election in which all supposedly participated equally. But with organized efforts to disenfranchise voters, particularly in minority communities and districts, it's already evident that we do not have a level playing field.
Organized disenfranchisement should make every American angry enough to fight for the votes of all to be counted. But it isn't. The seeds have been carefully cultivated to make us fear the intrusion of “those people,” those who “have no business voting,” whether they are suspected of being illegal immigrants or convicted felons or simply too stupid to cancel-out the votes of the informed.
The net effect isn't to make everyone fight for their rights. More people than ever are simply disgusted and sensing futility. Add those who have invested their emotional energy in movements that have not succeeded, whether teabaggers or 99 percenters, and you have an unprecedented number who just don't see any point in paying attention anymore to bloviating, do-nothing politicians.
Dylan Ratigan, TV host and creator of a “Get money out of politics” website, has been presenting evidence. His data shows that 94% of the time, in any election for any office, the candidate with the most money wins. And who has the money to purchase their politicians?
It's shocking but not surprising. Former California Assembly Speaker Jesse Unruh famously said three decades ago that “Money is the mother's milk of politics.” Will Rogers remarked in the 1920s about voting for politicians that, “It only encourages them.” He also observed, “We have the finest government money can buy.”
A “LEAGUE OF NON-VOTERS” - ?
We may soon be governed by people who literally do not represent us, because too many of us see no point in fighting the overwhelming spending by corporations that purchase politicians to do things their way. With that conclusion reached, why vote?
It's not individual or group apathy. It would be an intentional act, driven by entrenched and widespread disgust. It's the electoral equivalent of a sit-in. It will be tantamount to an organized “League of Non-Voters.”
And while that will bring hoots of celebration in all those big, black-glassed corporate headquarters towers, it's not good for America. How many of us will see government as legitimate when it is elected by a decreasing minority who vote their personal interests, while everyone else perceives the futility of trying to make a difference for the common good?
It's conceivable that someone will see an opportunity to get in front of this phenomenon and actually organize “The League of Non-Voters.” It could be a powerful tool for either side. It would work like this: “We won't vote for you, or for anybody, or for or against anything, unless and until you start doing what we want, advocating what we want, proposing serious measures and plans and legislation to accomplish what we want, looking out for us, working for our needs and interests, instead of the greedy desires of the corporations and rich special interests who bought you and your favor. Go ahead, keep working only for them, and we will simply stop acknowledging your authority or your legitimacy. If you wish to be irrelevant to us, we will make you irrelevant to us.”
It could be the ultimate expression of “Speaking truth to power,” or in the '60s phrase, bringing “Power to the People.” It could also get very, very ugly. But it may be time.
We find ourselves less hopeful. But...
ONE GOOD, PROTEST SONG ?
Artists, throughout history, have been the ones to inspire action and fortitude with enduring images and poetic and powerful words and moving songs, and to create epistles of courage when things appear hopeless.
Seems like one, good protest song could make a difference, doesn't it?
Those songs are being written and performed. Recording artists, some on major folk labels, are contributing revenues from sales of their songs to the ubiquitous, if intentionally leaderless “Occupy” movement.
A recent Red House Records press release began with the words, “In solidarity with the 'Occupy Wall Street' protestors, Americana songwriter Pieta Brown is offering her song 'I Want It Back'...”
I DREAMED I SAW JOE HILL LAST NIGHT...
There's a well-timed new book on Joe Hill, the 1914 labor organizer. He was made famous by Joan Baez when she sang at Woodstock, “I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, alive as you or me, says I 'But Joe, you're ten years dead,' 'I never died,' said he, 'I never died,' said he.”
Hill was accused of murder amidst labor strife, tried and executed by firing squad. The new book by William M. Adler, “The Man Who Never Died,” presents new evidence that Hill was innocent and framed by the Robber Barons to scare-off the labor organizers. Those were dangerous times. At stake was whether a wealthy few would wield the bulk of the power in society, and be able to keep the deck stacked for themselves. Do our times mirror those?
( Concludes at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/so-whats-up-with-occupy-99-movement-is.html )
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Our # 10 Story
PENN STATE, HERMAN CAIN, LINDSAY LOHAN: THE CULTURE OF CELEBRITY VS. THE AMERICAN CREED
So what the HELL does that list of diverse people and things have in common?
Actually, it does.
Sometimes, individual events need the context of the bigger picture. Let's consider some current events in terms of our society's guiding framework – the “American creed.” It's the cleaving point where each of us decides what we think of things as they happen, and the origin of inner and outer conflicts in our celebrity-obsessed society.
The Founding Fathers first referred to an American creed. Jefferson wrote extensively about it. So did John Adams. To them, it was a new, humanist, non-ecclesiastical religion.
Webster's offers several definitions of “creed,” and a key one is, “a reading or statement of belief that summarizes the faith it represents; a definite summary of what is believed; a confession of faith for public use; esp., one which is brief and comprehensive.” Another is, “any summary of principles or opinions professed or adhered to.”
Keeping that in mind, look at the people in the news and current events. It's enlightening to question things. Sometimes, to reconsider everything, and seek some meaning from it.
Celebrities get a get-out-of-jail-free card for doing things that would put the rest of us behind bars or earn us the ultimate “just go-away and stop bothering people,” or at least get us disavowed and disowned by all who know us – THAT kind of humiliation. But badly-behaving celebrities stay on the media's stage, and the spotlight on them grows brighter and wanders off them less as they act out. At least, that's what happens most of the time (Mel Gibson aside).
And then there are times when things are crazy in the other direction. Things even go horribly tragic sometimes, and that's compounded when our obsession with the “celebrity value” of a situation takes attention from the victims of a genuine human tragedy.
Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, a living legend, was just fired because he didn't do enough – beyond reporting an allegation brought to him – when a senior member of the coaching staff allegedly molested a young boy in the Penn State locker room. Yet, the assistant coach who actually says he saw it happening (but didn't stop it) and reported it to Paterno will be on the sidelines for Saturday's game. The lack of justice in that is obvious. Is Paterno too much a celebrity to stay, but that assistant coach is not?
Meanwhile, Lindsay Lohan gets all kinds of deferential and preferential treatment to allow her to arrive endlessly late to clean a few public restroom toilets, instead of serving the jail sentence she deserves.
That's okay, but a man who – by his own statement – saw a child being raped by an adult he knew, and didn't jump in and physically stop it, keeps his job? And his celebrity boss, who only heard about it afterward and reported it, takes the rap for grossly inadequate action?
Joe Paterno was a rare coach who kept track of his player's academic progress. His players were expected to be student athletes. They were expected to graduate. They did. That's almost unknown in big-money college sports.
Against this backdrop, there's enough room in the news cycle to give airtime and ink to talentless celebrity bums who are (inscrutably) famous for being famous. (It's a big “WTF?”) To wit, in the midst of the Penn State scandal, one of those interchangeable and talentless Kardassian clothes horses gets media time to whine about a marriage that didn't take, weeks after her recent multimillion-dollar wedding. We don't even want to waste a phrase like “Poor pampered baby.” We don't want to know anything about her. We want her 15 minutes to end.
Why throw that in the mix? Because everything is connected to everything else. It goes beyond our society's idiotic, cult-like obsession with the various manifestations of celebrity worship. It's a collision of contrived “reality” and what we profess we believe.
We are witnessing a high-speed head-on crash with the essence of the American creed.
( Concludes at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/penn-state-herman-cain-lindsay-lohan.htm )
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MORE STUFF >>>>>>> Resources, etc
Our VENUE DIRECTORY
...with OVER 500 acoustic-music-friendly venues in Southern California, is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/02/venue-directory-from-guide-updated.html
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RECENT EDITIONS of The Guide's NEWS FEATURES are still available!
Just check our archive! Read the contents bar on the left side of the page at www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com and click the appropriate month.
The MOST RECENT past editions (last 30 days) are easy to find HERE:
“Artists Join 'Occupy Wall Street'...,” The Guide's October 7 feature story and your comments to it, is available BY ITSELF, with YOUR COMMENTS, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/artists-join-occupy-wall-street-as.html
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November 3 edition is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/11/news-reviews-acoustic-americana-music.html
and the stories are:
Late additions, added after publication:
> “JOE HILL NIGHT,” Sunday, November 6
> "GIVE ME THE BANJO - Arts from the Blue Ridge Mountains" premieres Friday, Nov 4,
on PBS - TV.
November 3 edition, as originally published...
1) Bluegrass on DAVID LETTERMAN Thursday Night
2) ROSS ALTMAN Performs “SONGS OF JOE HILL” Friday Afternoon
3) Saturday is Folk Concert-Crazy in Southern Cal...
4) GRAM PARSONS 65th B'day Tribute at Ronnie Mack's Barn Dance, November 7
5) GORDON LIGHTFOOT Playing Local Shows November 8 & 9
6) Nominees THE TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS and JOYCE WOODSON to Perform Together En-Route to Western Music Awards
7) CD Review – DAFNI, “Sweet Time”
8) Reviews – New Series Takes a Fresh Look at Old Recordings,
“Across the Digital Divide...”
9) Review – Across the Digital Divide... “Home Sweet Home,” a Cassette Treasure
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October 27 edition is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/news-features-acoustic-americana-music_28.html
and the stories are:
1) Irish, Celtic Music Plentiful for “SAMHAIN,” Original Halloween / Celtic New Year
2) “TWO SIDES OF CELTIC” Show at Caltech Saturday Night
3) Guerrilla Art Returns with Mayor On-Board – May The Fork Be with You
4) Music Got Us to the Moon – Where Might it Yet Take Us?
The biggest and final Mars lander touches down in November. Is there meaning for Artists?
5) STAGECOACH and COACHELLA Will Grow to 3 Days in 2012
6) Strong Mountain Roots / Bluegrass / Newgrass Double-Bill on Friday
7) YOU can still add your comment at the HUGE RESPONSE to our feature,
“Artists Join 'OCCUPY WALL STREET'...”
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October 14 edition is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/news-features-acoustic-americana-music_14.html
and the stories are:
1) Festivals & Semi-Annual “Art Night” in Pasadena this Weekend
2) Blues Bands Perform in International Finals, Saturday in Arcadia
3) May the Fork Be with You – “Ride-the-Fork” Music Party Saturday, Raise “The Fork
in the Road” next Friday, at Altadena & Pasadena Events
4) West Valley Music Launches Concert Season Saturday with Performing Songwriters &
Touring Artists JAMES HURLEY, LISA NEMZO, RASPIN STUWART
5) SONGSALIVE! Hosts Annual Music Picnic this Sunday
6) JUDY COLLINS and AMERICA to headline GRAMMY Museum in early November
7) October at GRAMMY Museum Bringing Live Music, Big Names, Substance
8) “SQUEAKY WHEEL TOUR” Live Acoustic Show, to Help Bring Home Missing People,
Monday, October 17 in West L.A.
9) TIM GRIMM, musician / actor / top folk-Americana Music Award-Winner, plus
THE SWEET POTATOES, play Wednesday, October 19 in Altadena
10) Whoa! More on WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS –
CD release October 21 at “International Fork Day” Concert
11) TOM RUSSELL “Mesabi Tour of the West” in L.A. for Two Shows, October 22
12) ALEX BEATON, Musician Paralyzed in Accident, Regaining Movement
13) HUGE RESPONSE to last week's feature, “Artists Join 'OCCUPY WALL STREET'
as Unemployment, Economy Worsen,” and how YOU can respond
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Questions? Comments? Contact us through our Blogspot site or by email at
tied to the tracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
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YES, we invite you to add YOUR comments!
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You can always find the LATEST EDITION of THE ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE, with separate links for:
1) the latest NEWS FEATURES, with feature stories / reviews / editorials / current acoustic music happenings / "heads up" notices to buy advance tickets for shows likely to sell-out / news you can't find anywhere else from and about the world of acoustic and Americana music and artists;
2) the latest SPOTLIGHT EVENTS section, with new and updated info on festivals / artist workshops / schedules and calendars for concerts, club gigs, live music happenings, acoustic & Americana music-related events / and more;
3) The Guide's VENUE DIRECTORY of over 500 acoustic music-friendly venues in Southern California – the places TO HEAR MUSIC, or CONTACT TO GET GIGS.
It's all available 24/7 (& frequently updated!) at ~
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www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
- or follow any of the links in the fifteen web sites and web groups that carry the Guide’s weekly News Features.
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