Bob Dylan Photo Gallery
Bob Dylan has been one of the most prolific, storied, influential artists in the contemporary American folk music movement. From his debut album in 1962 to the work he continues to release now, more than 40 years later, Dylan's story is integral to the history of modern music. Take a look through this photo gallery and walk down memory lane with Bob Dylan Through the Years.
More on Bob Dylan...
photo: National Archives/Getty Images
RIP Ronnie Drew
I just learned about the passing of Irish folk artist Ronnie Drew at the age of 73. Drew was responsible for founding the Dubliners (formerly known as the Ronnie Drew Group) back in 1962. In case you're unfamiliar, the Dubliners' best work was the revitalizing of traditional Irish street ballads (i.e. "Whiskey in the Jar," etc.) and instrumental tunes. He also contributed his talents to works by the Pogues and the Dropkick Murphys, among other groups.
His voice was husky and rocky, not unlike an irate drill or, as others have noted, a cement mixer. But, he was also a terrific guitarist who led his band to becoming one of the most influential groups in contemporary Irish folk music, and American folk music by extension. Even Bob Dylan has cited the Dubliners as a major influence.
Telegrah UK has the most eloquent eulogy I've read for this highly influential artist. He will definitely be missed.
Learn more about the Dubliners—the legendary Irish folk band Drew founded back in 1962.
image © EMI Int'l
2008 IBMA Award Nominees
The International Bluegrass Music Association holds a conference each autumn, during which they honor some of the greatest accomplishments in contemporary and traditional music over the past year. The 2008 IBMA Awards and Honors will be presented during the IBMA conference in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 2, 2008. Will Rhonda Vincent beat out the Grascals for Entertainer of the Year? Check out who else will be contending for this year's IBMA awards.
photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
Folks Fest Kicks Off, With the Earth in Mind
We all expect the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival to have world class music, but unless you've been there you might not know that it is a world leader in sustainability. Planet Bluegrass, the producer of this festival, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and other musical events high in the Rocky Mountains, puts their money where their microphone is when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, composting, water, food, and every other eco-friendly thing they, or you, can think of to do.
Planet Bluegrass buys renewable energy credits to offset the travel of all musicians. They provide a tent where all festivarians can buy their own offsets. Last year, I covered a round trip by car from Cape Cod to Lyons, Colo.—where the festival is held—for $25.
Every plate and utensil used by vendors is compostable, and there are composting and recycling stations all over the festival, each with a person behind them to help you figure out into which bin you should put that plastic cup or paper bag. The beer tents give you a dollar off each refill for using their reusable cups. PB even gives away a package of tickets for the next year's festival to the greenest campsite at the campgrounds.
Planet Bluegrass goes out of their way to help us understand renewable energy credits, and to show us how much waste we as festivarians are helping them not create at their Web site.
CD Preview: Ani DiFranco - Red Letter Year
It's been almost 20 years since a little, bald, teenaged Ani DiFranco cast her hat into the ring and came out swinging with her independently released debut (on cassette, no less; I'm old). Who would've thought that, by the time she cut her 20th studio record, independent music would be practically the norm and she would be one of the most influential singer-songwriters on the scene. Go figure, DiFranco has a lot to be happy about these days, and her latest record reflects just that.
Red Letter Year won't hit stores til Sep. 30, but trust me it'll be worth the wait. In the meantime, check out my quick preview of the disc, or visit Ani DiFranco's MySpace page for a sneak peak (sneak listen?) to a couple of the album's shiningest tunes.
photo courtesy Righteous Babe Records
Interview With Anthony da Costa
This weekend, two major folk festivals are taking place on two separate ends of the country. The Philadelphia Folk Festival is one of the Northeast's largest annual festivals, and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival in Colorado is one of the largest in the West. I've already told you who I'd recommend you check out if you're heading to Folks Fest. If you're on the East Coast, though, you might want to check out Anthony da Costa.
Da Costa was one of the artists I was most delighted to discover at the 2008 Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, Tenn. Onstage, he commands attention, and on record, the songs translate well. I caught up with him before he headed to Pennsylvania for the 2008 Philadelphia Folk Festival to talk about what it’s like being a teenage folksinger. Read my full interview with Anthony da Costa.
Other Artists to Watch at Philly Folk...
photo © Jake Jacobson
Reports From Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Song School
Lyons, Colo., freelance journalist Janaki Jane is covering Rocky Mountain Folks Festival 2008 for About.com Folk Music, and following is her report from the Folks Festival Song School:
Sounds of a group practicing yodeling echo across the lawn. A knot of three people sit under a tree, listening intently to a man playing his guitar and talking. Green- and white-striped event tents of various sizes are widely scattered across the large, tree-dotted space. In each tent, providing welcome shade on this sunny Colorado day, a circle of people sits. They are the students and teachers of the Song School, a week-long orgy of creativity that happens each year at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, Colo., right before the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest.
CD Review: Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis Live
There's no question about it: Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis are two of the best, most well-respected artists in their respective genres. Nelson's voice lends itself exquisitely to the country blues, and Marsalis' trumpet is a smooth, fine instrument. Together, the duo made an excellent go of Two Men With the Blues.
image © Blue Note Records
Ani DiFranco, James Taylor to Perform at the Democratic National Convention
Ani DiFranco's Web site is reporting that she'll join James Taylor, Graham Nash, and David Crosby for a performance at the Buell Theater in Denver, Colo., on Aug. 26 as part of the Democratic National Convention. The show will be taped for NPR show Etown, and will be broadcast nationwide. Long an ardent activist and advocate of all manner of social and political issues—including environmental issues and a woman's right to choose—DiFranco has been known to speak fondly of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
Tickets to this show, which is sure to be a pretty memorable performance, go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 12.
More on Ani DiFranco and James Taylor...
photo courtesy Righteous Babe Records
Mountain Goats Added to Rocky Mt. Lineup
Yesterday, I made a little list of artists to watch, should you be heading out to the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival next weekend. (Although, let's face it, even if you're not heading to the Planet Bluegrass ranch for this annual festival, you should probably check out those artists, anyway. They definitely deserve some checking out!)
I also noted that Jakob Dylan, who was set to perform at the festival on Sunday had cancelled his set. The organizers let me know today that they'd filled the empty spot with literate folk-rockers the Mountain Goats. Certainly, this addition brings even more excitement into what is already an impressive line-up. Whether or not you'll be in Colorado next week, learn more about the Mountain Goats.