Folk season lines up as the busiest ever
By Scott Alarik, Globe Correspondent, 09/13/98
Is there another folk revival under way? Listen to the talk from the high towers of commercial radio and the mainstream pop industry, and it would hardly seem so. But put your ear to the ground along the grassroots network of church coffeehouses, community concerts, and urban folk clubs, and the signs are clear.
"I really hate that term 'folk revival,' because it's so overused," said David Tamulevich, who covers New England for Fleming-Tamulevich, among the largest and most respected folk music talent agencies in the country. "But that's exactly what's happening. There's an amazing growth in the number of folk venues starting up all over the country, but all on a small, grassrootsy level. People are starting venues with their friends, bringing music to their towns without relying on commercial promoters to do it for them. The audience is growing, too, particularly among young people. The Internet is having a huge effect on helping people find out about this music and how to start their own folk scene. There's even a Web site that shows you how to start a house concert series: http:ifolk.org/hc/.
That grassroots heart has always beaten strongly in New England, which is why it boasts the country's busiest folk scene. Tamulevich said Boston expatriates are a major force behind the national but community-based revival, helping start up coffeehouses like the ones they enjoyed here.
While there has been talk for a few years that the local scene is getting too crowded for its own good, this season promises to be the busiest ever, offering a healthy mix of grand concerts and small-stage delights. Apart from producing the Mary Black and Solas show at Symphony Hall Nov. 14, World Music presents charismatic Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser & Skyedance at the Somerville Theatre Oct. 24, and Cape Breton fiddle sensation Natalie MacMaster there Nov. 21. On Nov. 13, the Somerville welcomes smart Iowa troubadour Greg Brown, presented by Ear to the Ground Productions.
Multistage Productions brings local folk treasure Cheryl Wheeler and Cliff Eberhardt to the Somerville Oct. 30, and hot country-folk songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman Nov. 6. Dobro virtuoso Jerry Douglas brings an all-star band, including Maura O'Connell and Tim O'Brien, to Sanders Theatre in Cambridge Nov. 13.
Songstreet presents its 4th annual Festival of Great Women's Voices at the Somerville Nov. 7, with Faith Soloway, Mica Richards, Lori McKenna, Jess Klein, Colleen Sexton, June Rich, Trina Hamlin, and alluring songwriter Rose Polanzoni, who created quite a buzz at this year's Newport Folk Festival.
Progressive country singer-songwriter Hal Ketchum visits the Somerville Oct. 2, as part of a busy concert series produced by Northampton's Iron Horse music club. They also bring David Grisman to Sanders Oct. 10, the Nields to the Somerville Oct. 16, and Bela Fleck to the Orpheum on Oct. 25.
Cozy Irish pubs like McGann's at North Station and the Burren in Davis Square are increasingly hosting front-rank stars, often on short notice. Sept. 28, Irish instrumental giant Donal Lunny appears at McGann's, with marvelous accordionist Sharon Shannon. The Burren hosts Irish band Beginish Wednesday, accordionist Noel Hill Sept. 23, and Dolores Keane's flute-playing brother Sean on the 24th. Music for Robin brings the Irish-American band Whirligig, along with Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley, to the Regent Theater in Arlington Oct. 17.
The Regent is ideal for intimate concerts, and Watch City Arts brings Chesapeake and autoharp wizard Bryan Bowers there Sept. 25, Sol y Canto the 26th, and delightful American folk duo Jay Ungar and Molly Mason Oct. 31.
Worries that the coffeehouse scene may be getting too crowded don't seem to be affecting audiences. While some new venues are having trouble, established clubs are doing record business. Club Passim in Harvard Square celebrates its 40th anniversary as a coffeehouse, dating to its life as Club 47. Crowds have never been better for the little club, even during the glory days of the '60s revival. Sublime Irish-American folk singer and songwriter Cathie Ryan is there Friday, and powerful Canadian songwriter Ferron Nov. 5-6. Women's music stars Cris Williamson and Tret Fure visit Oct. 4, and exciting country-folk singer Lynn Miles Oct. 29.
Entering its 29th year, the Me & Thee Coffeehouse in Marblehead is coming off two of its best seasons, in part because it stopped trying to book the next big star, and returned to its roots as an intimate community coffeehouse. Its season opens Friday with local folk legend Tom Rush, who also launches the season for Circle of Friends in Franklin next Sunday. On Saturday, he's at Grotonfest at Legion Field, Groton. Me & Thee also hosts hip young string band Salamander Crossing Oct. 23, and the venerable Bill Staines, with '70s local folk heroine Jeanie Stahl, Nov. 20.
Johnny D's in Davis Square remains among the most enticingly eclectic clubs in the country. It welcomes grandly hokey cowboy group Riders in the Sky Sept. 30, country singer Kelly Willis, along with Bruce Robison and Richard Buckner, Oct. 21, and fiery Scottish troubadour Dick Gaughan Nov. 3.
Boston has its own suburban-style church coffeehouse in the supremely comfy Beacon Hill Coffeehouse at the Church of New Jerusalem. Big-sky soprano of Canadian Eileen McGann is there Oct. 17, and Sonia from disappear fear, on Nov. 14.
The Black and White Theater in Middleborough is becoming such a performer's favorite that local humorist-songwriter Don White records a live CD there Nov. 14. The Clancy Brothers are there the 20th. Sharply funny songwriter and superb multi-instrumentalist Mindy Jostyn kicks off its season Oct. 3.
Joyful Noise, at First Baptist Church in Lexington, offers a very exciting season, including renowned Texas songwriter Guy Clark Nov. 14, and local folk hero Bill Morrissey Dec. 5, with alluringly original western songwriter Kate MacCleod.
There will be more chances than ever to warm the holiday spirits with folk music. Christmas Revels revives its hugely popular Victorian theme at Sanders Dec. 11-27. World Music presents the captivating Sephardic ensemble Voice of the Turtle's 20th annual Hanukkah Concert Dec. 12 at the Somerville. The same night, gentle Irish harpist-singer Aine Minogue performs her Celtic solstice concert at Arlington Center for the Arts; and uillean piper-singer Christy O'Leary, of DeDannan and Boys of the Lough fame, performs holiday music of Ireland and Scandinavia at Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington. On Dec. 19, the Regent rings with "Winter Harmony," featuring the Burns Sisters, Northampton Harmony, and a rare reunion of Tony Trishka & Skyline.
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