Do NOT Miss Leftover Cuties

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

Best Beloved took me to see Leftover Cuties Wednesday night at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis. Actually, we saw the cutest cutie three times, not just once.

Stopped at the light at 10th and Nicollet, I watched Shirli cross the street, a pair of high (really high) heels in one hand.

As she stepped to the curb on the northwest side of the intersection I thought, Shirli . . . Shirli. Wait. I just watched Shirli McAllen cross the street.

I felt like I should run after her and apologize for not saying hello. (She later told me “You should have!”) As we were seated at our table near the stage, there she was again, scooting between the tables toward the backstage rooms. I started to stand and apologize for my earlier rudeness, but she was just too quick.

Leftover Cuties are the kind of band which feels like you really ought to run after them and say hello.
Continue reading “Do NOT Miss Leftover Cuties”

Makes No Difference from Evin Wolverton’s Woodland Sessions

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

Some years ago I almost met Evin Wolverton. We both participated in FAWM more than once, and when I heard he’d moved to the San Francisco area, I invited him to perform at the Northern California Artistic Achievement Awards (The Grassies.) Evin was too sick to make it, and we asked Philip Flathead to fill in, which worked out. Except I didn’t get to meet Evin and tell him in person what his music has done for me.

When I found out Evin had a Kickstarter project for his new album, I chipped in. I had exactly a dollar to my name, and I put it in. Didn’t get me anything; anything less than a ten-spot doesn’t even get a copy of the album when it’s finished. That’s okay; Evin’s art is worth supporting and it’s about time I started giving back to the artists that fill my life.

Except, I did get something. Pretty much won the lottery.

Continue reading “Makes No Difference from Evin Wolverton’s Woodland Sessions”

Badlands = Good Listen

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

Finding new music that hits me viscerally is sublime. Recently, No Depression introduced me to Eric Tingstad and his take on Americana instrumentals.

Eric Tingstad, BadlandsWhen my copy of Badlands arrived, it stayed in the CD player in the car for over two weeks, playing over and over again. Nearly every track is on my all-night music list (I never sleep without music playing. I’ve heard some people do. Seems odd to me.)

Instrumentals are hard to write. Continue reading “Badlands = Good Listen”

Beyond Bagpipes – A Beginner’s Guide to Gaelic Folk (Guest Post by Nick Lewis)

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

You know I love Celtic music so I was delighted when Nick approached me about writing a guest piece with some basic background on it. If you like it, say so in the comments and we’ll bring Nick back for more.

Licence To CeilidhGaelic folk refers to the folk music of old gaelic societies, primarily Irish and Scottish. Naturally there are significant differences between Scottish and Irish folk, and many regional variations within, but the traditions are similar enough to merit their own catch-all term. Continue reading “Beyond Bagpipes – A Beginner’s Guide to Gaelic Folk (Guest Post by Nick Lewis)”

40 Years in My Ear-y Canal

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

I[az]B000GG4XJM[/az]’ve been plagued by a particular earworm for over 40 years.

I’ve got a mule, her name is . . .

If her name popped unbidden into your mind, you’re either a fan of American folk music or you went to elementary school in California in the 60s.

The song was originally entitled Low Bridge, Everybody Down when Thomas Allen wrote it in 1905. Now it’s called The Erie Canal Song, 15 Miles on the Erie Canal, and any number of other names. It’s about the years, decades really, when boats on the Erie Canal were towed by mules. By 1905 the era of the mules was just about over.

I wish the era of this earworm were over.

Oh; the mule’s name? Sal. I’ve got a mule her name is Sal. Enjoy your earworm.

To Know Someone is Listening: Guest Post by Ross Durand

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

One of the many singer/songwriters I’ve met during February Album Writing Month, Ross is part of a smaller group I’ve collaborated with. I’ll rummage up Man in the Mirror to show you what a great singer does with my lyrics. For now, Ross shares something every songwriter loves. Continue reading “To Know Someone is Listening: Guest Post by Ross Durand”

Business Lessons from Rock: Guest Post by John O’Leary

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

This here O’Leary chap is a character, with a capital K. He can tell you about his bid for President of these here United States, or share his rock and roll stories from the road. For now, here’s one of his insightful, inevitable-but-not-obvious business lessons from rock: Continue reading “Business Lessons from Rock: Guest Post by John O’Leary”

Love Music: Guest Post by Terry Wilson

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

My musical history with Terry “Pegleg” Wilson goes back years. We finally started writing music together a few years ago. He and his wife are like family. Terry’s intense love of music is one obvious reason we’re great friends.

Music is a beautiful thing! Right now my wife is in the kitchen making dinner. She grabs something or other and starts clapping two things together, pounding out a beat. Music is such a part of us that I really don’t know a single person that does not like music on some level. From the brilliant musician right down to the guy listening to the radio in the car, we all enjoy music.

Let me take you on a journey though. What if there was no music? No CDs, no tapes, no musical instruments. Nothing at all. What if no one had ever put 2 notes together?

Continue reading “Love Music: Guest Post by Terry Wilson”

An Eclectic Texan Without Salamander Pie: Guest Post by Ron Luther

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

Members of evolt.org meet geeks of all shapes from all over the world. One of them has a famous ability to turn any conversation into a chat about music within seconds. And it’s not even me.

Pretty easy to see why Ron Luther and I became friends.

I saw your other note a while back on guest writing about music … and I thought about it for a bit. My first inclination was to try to write something up about a hidden gem like Jay Leonhart’s “Salamander Pie” album. If you don’t have it – go order it on Amazon, now!

Then, naturally, I started to over think things. Continue reading “An Eclectic Texan Without Salamander Pie: Guest Post by Ron Luther”