From the sublime to the sublime

Today was a day of discovery and validation. There are new and young musicians who are pushing the boundaries, and great veterans who are only getting better.

Jim Olsen has got to be complimented for his booking prowess. Naia Kete, who grew up in a family of French language reggae singers, the Black Rebels, tore the tent down with her amazing voice and beautiful songs. I couldn't get close enough to the stage to get a photo.

Also, in the small tent, the Sweetback Sisters from Brooklyn, who were the only band to play Friday and Saturday, won over many new fans with their version of bluegrass, old-time and old country, and an indication that their revival of Roger Miller's My Uncle Used to Love Me But She Died, could be a hit again.

On Friday night, one had to ping-pong back and forth from the main stage, where singer-songwriters joined with a hot house band, to the dance tent where the rain meant a crowded, sweaty dance floor, to hear all the good music, and appreciate the high level of musicianship on the Signature Sounds label.

For my money, the main stage highlight was Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women. His wonderful band of veteran women musicians went from roots to rock. And Dave driving the band through two false finished with Abilene, where Cindy Cashdollar (pedal steel) sparred with Amy Farris (fiddle), to a draw, was out of this world.

The festival was a sell-out for the first time in it's 23 year history, and one begins to wonder if this two-day delight has outgrown its venue.

Concert of the Week

Mark Erelli
Saturday February 9, 7:30 pm
Roaring Brook Nature Center

Mark Erelli hasn't shied away from political commentary in his songs. Almost immediately after the attacks of 9/11, he released a single called The Only Way, which reflected the we're-in-it-together sense that we all had at the time, and the sense that living well, and fearlessly was the best response to terror (the song appears now on his most recent album, Hope and Other Casaulties). More recently, he home-recorded a song about the men and women caught in the political morass, and desperation of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The song, Volunteers, appeared first as a free monthly download on his website, and more recently as a video (featured here), recorded by legendary producer Don Was for his internet TV channel (Erelli relates the story of the recording on his website). I've played the song on my radio show, and have had callers tell me it has brought them to tears. If the world were a fair place, Erelli would be far better known than he is, but if that were so, you wouldn't have the opportunity to hear him at the Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton.

Jim Olsen's ears

If you own a title or two from the Signature Sounds label, or you've attended one of the great Green River Festivals in Greenfield MA, or you've tuned in on a Saturday morning to The River (93.9 FM in Northampton, 101.5 in Brattleboro VT), then you know something about the great musical taste of Jim Olsen.

Olsen is co-founder of Signature Sounds, producer of the Green River Festival and a longtime DJ on WRSI, aka, The River, in Western Mass. He has recorded and released albums by some great artists, several of whom, have begun their careers on his label, and gone on to much wider recognition.

It will be a vindication, and probably a bit frustrating, to read two of the main articles in the latest (September) issue of No Depression magazine. Featured are two artists, Lori McKenna and Josh Ritter, who began their careers with Signature Sounds, and have now reached national audiences on bigger labels. For some reason, No Depression did not feature these artists when they were Signature up and comers, but now they're getting the star treatment. I'd suggest to No Depression, and to anyone who is interested in great music, to check some of the other gifted artists on Olsen's label. Without effort I can think of Eilen Jewell, Richard Shindell, Jeffrey Foucault, Mark Erelli, Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem, the Winterpills, Erin McKeown and Kris Delmhorst.

BTW, the "Jimmy Olsen" in Dar Williams tribute to late night indy radio in the song "Are You Out There?" is this Jim Olsen.

If Jim Olsen likes it, chance are I will too.