Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Happenings

January 2002

Contents

  • Guitarist Francis Doughty will join January 11 Song & Story Swap
  • Bob Blue CD Release Concert
  • Lou's Reviews -- Taj Mahal, Lucy Kaplansky, Top Ten Albums of 2001
  • Recent Pioneer Valley Recordings
  • Calendar

Guitarist Francis Doughty will join January Song & Story Swap

Please come share in an evening of music and stories at the January Pioneer Valley Folklore Society SONG & STORY SWAP.

Francis Doughty Friday, January 11, 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Black Sheep Café, 79 Main St., Amherst, Mass.  

Guest performer at the January 11 Song & Story Swap will be guitar master Francis Doughty. Originally trained on the classical guitar, Francis has in recent years moved to the acoustic steel-string on which he excels at the technique of rapid playing known as "fingerstyle." He lists famed pickers John Fahey, Ed Gerhard and Leo Kottke as influences, and draws thematic inspiration from the bucolic lifestyle he and his wife Laura have embraced on their homestead in Wendell, Mass.

Francis Doughty has recorded two albums of instrumentals, his acclaimed debut "Among Trees," and the very recently released "Under The Sky." He was selected as a showcase performer at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in 2001.

After a guest spot on Connie Bowblis' The Front Porch program on WKNH, the DJ remarked, "[Francis Doughty is] a truly wonderful guitarist ... he totally blew me away."

Learn more about Francis Doughty and his music at http://www.mv.com/ipusers/cworthy/fdoughty/index.html.

The Song & Story Swap is an event where people of all ages gather to share stories and songs that may be traditional, newly written, or of personal experiences. You can tell, sing, or lead everyone in singing, play an instrument or request a song or story.  Listeners are welcome, too.  Admission is free, with donations accepted.

The warm-up theme this month is Resolutions & Revolutions.

The PVFS Song & Story Swap happens the 2ND FRIDAY of every month.  For information contact Paul Kaplan, (413)-253-9484 or Jeff Lee, (413)-256-0433 or visit http://www.filbert.com/pvfs.

Best of Bob Blue Concert at Amherst Unitarian Society, Feb. 3 

The Best of Bob Blue CD Release Concert, Feb. 3 in AmherstThe long-awaited compilation of Bob Blue's finest songs has now been pressed and shrink-wrapped and is available for ordering.  The Best of Bob Blue is a 2-CD set containing 35 songs sung by artists such as Pete Seeger, Jane Sapp, Sally Rogers, Kim Wallach, Joanne Hammil, Paul Kaplan and others.

In honor of its release, many of the original artists will be performing songs from the CD in a concert on Sunday February 3 at the Unitarian Society, 121 N. Pleasant St., Amherst.  The show begins at 7:00 p.m.  Admission is a voluntary donation to benefit the Stavros Center for Independent Living.  The suggested donation is $5.

For information on how to order the CD, see http://www.filbert.com/pvfs/bobblue.

Lou's Reviews -- Taj Mahal, Lucy Kaplansky, Top Ten Albums of 2001 

Music commentator Lou Wigdor was busier than Santa's elves last month as he filed three new articles at Lou's Reviews.

Most recently he offers his picks for the Top Ten Non-classical Albums of 2001 as well as the top Song/Performance of the Year.  His choices span several continents and a rainbow of musical genres, and provide almost anyone an opportunity to expand one's musical horizons.

He also found time to interview Lucy Kaplansky and discuss her new album, Every Single Day.  Read his review, Onward and Upward with Lucy Kaplansky.

When one of the founding fathers of the folk movement in Western Mass. returned to the Calvin Theatre in November, Lou was there to listen, report and even boogie a little bit.  Read Chasin' the Taj.

New CD Releases out of the Valley

2nd Sunday ConcertsCocktail SwingUnder the SkyThe Best of Bob Blue
The Muse at the Edge of ForeverMore BatteriesSing For Peace, Dance For JoySt. Tropez Cowboy

2nd Sunday Concerts (Various artists) - Songs by performers who will be appearing at the concert series in Shelburne Falls in 2002.  Artists include Rani Arbo, Ferron, Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer, Brooks Williams and 13 more.  A real nice mix.

Cocktail Swing (Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem) - We lost Salamander Crossing but we gained Daisy Mayhem.  This is the first recording from Rani Arbo's new band.

Under the Sky (Francis Doughty) - A second dazzling collection of instrumentals from the fingerstyle guitar specialist.  Catch him at this month's Song & Story Swap on Jan. 11.

The Best of Bob Blue (Various artists) - Bob's greatest compositions, 35 of them on 2 CDs, sung by him and his friends -- and he has a lot of friends!  Pete Seeger, Sally Rogers, Charlie King, Jane Sapp, Joanne Hammil, Paul Kaplan, Anne Louise White and many more pay tribute to this truly influential songwriter.  Hear many of the tracks performed live at the CD Release Concert on Feb. 3 in Amherst.

The Muse at the Edge of Forever (Jonathan Klate) - A collection of new songs that explores the "emotional and spiritual realms of loss and recovery."  Poetic, lyrical and moving.

More Batteries (Holiday Clocks) - Gideon Freudmann, the inventor of "CelloBop," and guitarist Peter Cummings are the duo "Holiday Clocks."  This offbeat 2-CD collection includes re-mastered material originally recorded in 1986-87.

Sing for Peace, Dance for Joy (Wholesale Klezmer Band) - The title in Yiddish is "Zingen far sholem, tantsn far freyd."  Due back from the manufacturer around the end of '01 according to the band's web site.

St. Tropez Cowboy (Gypsy Wranglers) - From ragtime to jazz to swing to folk to blues, the feel-good ensemble's second release has a little something for everyone.

PVFS and Friends Upcoming Event Calendar

  • Jan. 10 - Musicians of the Berkshires.  Club Helsinki, 284 Main St. Great Barrington, MA.  9:00pm.  413-528-3394.
  • Jan. 11 - PVFS Song & Story Swap with guest Francis Doughty.  Black Sheep Cafe, 79 Main St., Amherst, MA.  7:30pm.  413-253-9484.
  • Jan. 11 - Johnny Irion & Sarah Lee Guthrie.  Club Helsinki, 284 Main St. Great Barrington, MA.  8:30pm.  413-528-3394.
  • Jan. 12 - Terry Kitchen. Stone Soup Coffeehouse.  at Bob Blue's, 170 E. Hadley Rd., Amherst, MA.  7:30pm. 413-256-8784.
  • Jan. 12 - Gan Ainm.  White Church Community Center, Memorial St., Deerfield, MA.  7:30pm.  413-775-7214.
  • Jan. 12 - Dan Milner & Bob Conroy.  U'n'I Coffeehouse, 245 Porter Lake Dr., Springfield, MA. 8:00pm.  413-562-3990.
  • Jan. 12 - Don White. St. James Episcopal Church, 8 Church Street, Greenfield MA.   413-772-2213.
  • Jan. 12 - Domino.  Guiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St. Greenfield MA.  8:00pm.  413-772-0501.
  • Jan. 12 - Charlie King & Karen Brandow.  Memorial Hall Theater, Shelburne Falls, MA.  7:30pm.  413-625-6967.
  • Jan. 13 - Rona Leventhal.  Nat'l Yiddish Book Center, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA.  2:00pm.  413-256-4900.
  • Jan. 14 - BB King. Calvin Theater, 19 King St., Northampton, MA.  7:00pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Jan. 16-17 - Iron Horse Songwriter Slam. Iron Horse, 20 Center St., Northampton, MA. 7:00pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Jan. 18 - Mark Erelli. Iron Horse, 20 Center St., Northampton, MA. 7:00pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Jan. 18 - Colleen Sexton.  Fire & Water Cafe, 5 Old South St., Northampton, MA.   9:00pm.  413-586-8336.  
  • Jan. 18 - Bernice Lewis, Meg Hutchinson, Joanne Spies. Searles Castle, 20 Center St., Great Barrington, MA. 7:30pm.  413-528-9800.
  • Jan. 19 - Ben Demerath.  Coffee & Soul Coffeehouse, All Soul's Church, 399 Main St., Greenfield, MA.  8:00pm.  413-773-5018.
  • Jan. 19 - Jay Ungar & Molly Mason.  Clark Art Institute, 225 South St., Williamstown, MA.  8:00pm.  413-458-2303.
  • Jan. 20 - Ferron plus Louise Taylor.  Second Sunday Concert, Art Bank, 22 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls, MA.  6:30pm.  413-625-2580.
  • Jan. 24 - Katryna & Nerissa Nields.  Club Helsinki, 284 Main St. Great Barrington, MA.  9:00pm.  413-528-3394.
  • Jan. 25 - Mike Agranoff. Stone Soup Coffeehouse.  at Bob Blue's, 170 E. Hadley Rd., Amherst, MA.  7:30pm. 413-256-8784.
  • Jan. 25 - Avery Sharpe & the Extended Family Voices. Iron Horse, 20 Center St., Northampton, MA. 7:00pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Jan. 25 - The Mammals. The Vaughn House, Potash Hill Rd., Cummington, MA.  413-634-5462.
  • Jan. 26 - Rise Up Singing with Harmony Group Sing.  Stefan Gonick's, 44 Burt Rd., Westhampton, MA. 6:00pm.  413-527-5491.
  • Jan. 26 - Schooner Fare. Iron Horse, 20 Center St., Northampton, MA. 7:00pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Jan. 26 - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem.  Northwest Park Nature Center, Windsor, CT.  8:30pm.  860-285-1886.
  • Jan. 26 - Tarbox Ramblers.  Club Helsinki, 284 Main St. Great Barrington, MA.  8:30pm.  413-528-3394.
  • Jan. 26 - Mark Erelli.  Mass. College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA.  9:00pm.  413-662-5120.
  • Jan. 31 - Leo Kottke. Iron Horse, 20 Center St., Northampton, MA. 7:00 & 9:30pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Feb. 1 - Francis Doughty.  Fire & Water Cafe, 5 Old South St., Northampton, MA.   7:00pm.  413-586-8336.
  • Feb. 1 - Lucy Kaplansky.  Wachusett Folk Cafe, 444 Green St., Gardner, MA.  7:30pm.  978-632-2403.
  • Feb. 1-3 - Rona Leventhal: Storytelling Workshop.  Rowe Camp & Conference Center, Rowe, MA.  413-339-4954.
  • Feb. 2 - Stephen Kellogg. Iron Horse, 20 Center St., Northampton, MA. 7:00pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Feb. 2 - The Nields.  Mass. College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA.  9:00pm.  413-662-5120.
  • Feb. 2 - Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart. Clark Art Institute, 225 South St., Williamstown, MA.  8:00pm.  413-458-2303.
  • Feb. 3 - Bob Blue & Friends. CD Release Party. Unitarian Society, 121 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA. 413-246-0433.
  • Feb. 5 - Eric Bibb. Iron Horse, 20 Center St., Northampton, MA. 7:00.  413-586-8686.
  • Feb. 8 - PVFS Song & Story Swap with guest Rona Leventhal.  Black Sheep Cafe, 79 Main St., Amherst, MA.  7:30pm.  413-253-9484.
  • Feb. 8 - Laura Wetzler.  Jewish Community Center, 742 Main St., Amherst, MA.  8:00pm.  413-256-0160.
  • Feb. 8 - Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem. Iron Horse, 20 Center St., Northampton, MA. 7:00pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Feb. 9 - Willie Sordillo. Stone Soup Coffeehouse,  at Bob Blue's, 170 E. Hadley Rd., Amherst, MA.  7:30pm. 413-256-8784.
  • Feb. 9 - Lorraine Lee & Bennett Hammond.  U'n'I Coffeehouse, 245 Porter Lake Dr., Springfield, MA. 8:00pm.  413-562-3990.
  • Feb. 9 - Lui Collins.  St. James Episcopal Church, 8 Church Street, Greenfield MA.   8:00pm.  413-772-2213.
  • Feb. 9 - The Bobs. Searles Castle, 20 Center St., Great Barrington, MA. 7:30pm.  413-528-8082.
  • Feb. 10 - Rona Leventhal.  Nat'l Yiddish Book Center, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA.  2:00pm.  413-256-4900.
  • Feb. 10 - Laura Wetzler.  Jewish Community Center, 742 Main St., Amherst, MA.  8:00pm.  413-256-0160.
  • Feb 10 - The Blind Boys of Alabama.  Mahaiwe Theatre, 14 Castle St., Great Barrington, MA.  413-528-8418.
  • Feb. 14 - Richard Shindell plaus Deb Talan. Iron Horse, 20 Center St., Northampton, MA. 7:00pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Feb. 16 - Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Calvin Theater, 19 King St., Northampton, MA.  8:00pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Feb. 16 - Northern Lights.  Coffee & Soul Coffeehouse, All Soul's Church, 399 Main St., Greenfield, MA.  8:00pm.  413-773-5018.
  • Feb. 16 - Zoe Darrow and the Fiddleheads.  White Church Community Center, Memorial St., Deerfield, MA.  7:30pm.  413-774-3046.
  • Feb. 16-17 - Suzanne Vega.  Iron Horse, 20 Center St., Northampton, MA. 7:00 & 9:30pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Feb. 17 - Charles Neville Jazz Quartet/Jill Connolly.  Second Sunday Concert, Art Bank, 22 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls, MA.  6:30pm.  413-625-2580.
  • Feb. 17 - Gideon Freudmann.  Davis Auditorium, Springfield Museum of Fine Art, 220 State St., Springfield, MA.  1:00pm.  413-263-6800.
  • Feb. 22 - Patty Larkin.  Iron Horse, 20 Center St., Northampton, MA. 7:00pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Feb. 10 - Rona Leventhal.  New Braintree Library, New Braintree, MA.  10:00am.  413-477-6445.
  • Feb. 22 - BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet.  Clark Art Institute, 225 South St., Williamstown, MA.  8:00pm.  413-458-2303.
  • Feb. 23 - Late Night Radio.  Stone Soup Coffeehouse. at Bob Blue's, 170 E. Hadley Rd., Amherst, MA.  7:30pm. 413-256-8784.
  • Feb. 23 - Gideon Freudmann.  Jones Library, 43 Amity St., Amherst, MA.  10:30am.  413-256-4090.
  • Feb. 24 - Joan Baez; Richard Shindell; Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer. Calvin Theater, 19 King St., Northampton, MA.  7:00pm.  413-586-8686.
  • Mar. 2 - Bill Cosby.  Springfield Symphony Hall, Court St., Springfield, MA.  6:00 & 8:30 p.m.  413-788-7033. 

If there is a folk event you'd like included in the calendar, please forward information to pvfolk@yahoo.com.

If you'd like to be removed from this mailing list, please send an email to pvfolk@yahoo.com with the word REMOVE in the subject.

Pioneer Valley Folklore Society, Amherst, Mass.
Web site - http://www.filbert.com/pvfs/
Newsletter archives - http://www.filbert.com/pvfs/news/
Email - pvfolk@yahoo.com
Director/Host: Paul Kaplan
Webmaster: Jeff Lee
January 6, 2002