Take Me Home

If I lived in Cruz I probably would have seen the Abott Family playing bluegrass on the street before now. But it wasn’t until about a week ago that I stumbled upon the Abbott Family website and their Web TV series (I was looking for some lyrics).  It’s worth exploring, especially the amazing collection of old-time song lyrics with an MP3 clip of each song, for those of us who play music by ear.

But this post is about Luke’s new record, a soulful and authentic collection of classic old-time Americana played on guitar, banjo, fiddle, viola, and dobro. With this release, an amazing young whippersnapper rises through the ranks to stand with the very best modern performers of old-time music. Under the obvious influence of the Holy Trinity (Bruce Molsky, Dirk Powell, and Tim O’Brien), Luke shows us that not only does he know his axes inside and out, but his voice is a powerful asset and he’s not afraid to use it. The packaging and his website include ample liner notes on each track. Fiddlefreak recommended!

LISTEN: I’ve Always Been a Rambler  (MP3)

LISTEN: Goin’ Across the Sea / Angeline (MP3)

Luke Abbott Website

Preview/Buy Take Me Home

The Toneway Project

Abbotty Video Blog

Childsplay

Waiting for the Dawn

My hard-core old-time folkie readers might want to pass on this one, but if the idea of a large group of fiddlers playing together on fiddle tunes and folk songs sounds good to you, then read on. Childsplay is a group united by the instruments of violin maker Bob Childs of Cambridge, Massachussetts. Their fifth CD was produced by legendary New England fiddler Pete Sutherland and features the ethereal vocals of Aoife O’Donovan, of Crooked Still. Among others, the album includes the playing of Hanneke Cassell (fiddle), Lissa Schneckenburger (fiddle), Ralph Gordon (bass), Shannon Heaton (flute and accordion), and Keith Murphy (guitar and piano). Waiting for the Dawn sounds kinda like Crooked Still without the bluegrass banjo and with a classical symphony accompaniment. Enjoy!

LISTEN: Tears Of Healing Rain/After The Rain

VIDEO: Colonel Thorton/Miss Lyall/The Road to Errogie

Childsplay Website

Buy Now

Väsen

Swedish folk supergroup Väsen will release Väsen Street (NorthSide) on August 18, 2009. Olov Johansson (nyckelharpa), Roger Tallroth (guitar) and Mikael Marin (viola) have toured together for 20 years and are celebrating the milestone with this new recording. The repertoire here consists of newly composed material, old Väsen favorites not recorded earlier, and some traditional Uppland tunes. In the past they have collaborated with American string wizards Darol Anger and Mike Marshall, and sure enough Mike appears here on the six-minute track “Absolute Swedish.”

Väsen Street

This is the band that I’ve heard introduced as the “best band in the world,” and I can’t argue with the claim. They have a unique stage dynamic that ranges from traditional folk to elements of jazz and classical, from dark and deep to light and whimsical. The combination of nyckelharpa—the traditional keyed fiddle of Sweden—with five-string viola and 12-string guitar (tuned ADADAD) creates the mind-bending Väsen sound. As complex as a concerto and as simple as an Irish jig, the music of Väsen soothes and challenges the listener at the same time. This record rewards repeated listening. Fiddlefreak recommended!

LISTEN: Rob’s Polska (MP3)

LISTEN: Garageschottis (MP3)

WATCH: Väsen perform “Väsen Street”

Swedish trio Väsen perform “Väsen Street” live at the Nordic Roots Festival, 9/26/2008 in Minneapolis, MN, USA.Video courtesy Minneapolis Television Network, ⓒ 2009 NorthSide

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