Volume 40 No. 11 November 2014
Garnet Rogers performs at The Brink Friday November 21 We are very pleased to welcome Gar- which largely reflected what had been go- was a huge blessing at my age, and that net Rogers back to the The Brink! He has ing on in my life, both good and bad, and I maybe provides a little bit of celebration become a Madison favorite. It will be a decided to make a record of them, if only here and there.” great evening of songs and stories. for myself. I needed to feel creative and The result is wonderful album, and ar- Garnet released a new album this year connected to my world again, so I resolved guably, some of his best work. It is a col- Summer’s End. It was his first in 7 years, to end the strike. (Besides, nobody had no- lecting grief and bittersweet memories and a welcome surprise. His last release ticed.)” counterbalanced with hope and love. was Get a Witness in 2007. He has often In an interview with Steve Ide of Folk- The reflective songs such as “Shadows stated that he may be done with record- Blurgrass.com, Garnet said: on the Water,” written for his late friend, ing. Garnet said in his album notes that his “I and so many of my friends are at the singer-song writer Bill Morrissey, and working method was “an intense and fren- age where we are dealing with the very “Sleeping,” a tribute for his father, Al Rog- zied state of self-inflicted madness (that)… real problems surrounding aging, declin- ers; are buoyed by “The Sweet Spot” and was difficult on me and everyone around ing health, elder care, a diminishing future “It’s a Gift,” the tributes to Canso, the small me, and the 2 or 3 weeks surrounding the for them and a very scary glimpse of our coastal village in Nova Scotia, just down live sessions of ‘Get a Witness’ resulted in own finish line. It doesn’t make for a very the beach from Fogerty’s Cove. a physical and emotional collapse for me celebratory group of songs, and I find if I Also there are a couple soulful touch- and a resolve to never go through it again”. do play the new songs I tend to rely more es back to his brother Stan Rogers, “Old Fortunately for us, Garnet has recon- and more on humor between songs as a Campfires,” is a poem set in winter that sidered, “I looked through some note- release.” looks forward to the coming spring. It was books and realized I had a group of songs “The other major thing informing the re- written by Sidney Bushell, Garnet’s mater- cord was buy- nal grandfather, and set to music about 50 ing a house years ago by Garnet’s late older brother, in my child- Stan Rogers, when he was about 15” hood home There is also a wonderful rendition of in Canso, “Sailor’s Rest”, Stan’s reflection on an old Nova Scotia, sailor’s final days. Stan’s only recoding of a place which this was an encore performance on his has barely Between the Breaks live album recorded changed at in 1979 in Halifax. all in the inter- Also touching was another note of Gar- vening years.” net’s in the album notes, ”So, for all those “I have felt well-meaning folks, who have over the more in touch years asked me if I had any recordings of with the feel- just me and my guitar with none of “that ings I had as a other electric sh##”…here you go.” kid, the sense Garnet has been a long-time, strong of wonder and supporter of food banks, we always en- hope, a deep courage our attendees to bring a food item connection to to donate to the local food bank, but we the sea and are about to enter in to the cold season so sky, some let’s give the food bank an extra bonus and of that came see if we can get every attendee to bring at back, which least two items for the food bank. Mad Folk Concert Tickets Joel Mabus at the Wil-Mar Center When you see this symbol – ee – you’ll know that you’re read- Saturday November 8 @8PM ing about a Mad Folk sponsored Hey everybody! He’s coming back Earth. event. Advance tickets for Mad to town! Michigan’s amazing Joel Ma- Mabus, influenced by his parents Folk shows are available online bus, songwriter, raconteur, traditional but also by such as the Carter Fam- at www.madfolk.org and at these song collector, home style singer and ily, Bill Monroe, and Jimmie Rogers, outlets: fabulous instrumentalist is hopping once has become a songwriter whose songs again across the lake to charm us with seem as though they could have been • Orange Tree Imports, 1721 Mon- his gifts of unforgettable folk style music written a hundred years ago, except for roe Street and droll midwestern wit. the often current themes. Most surpris- Many musicians have had the ben- ingly, Joel can write and sing hilariously • Spruce Tree Music, 851 East efit of parents who were music hob- funny songs as well as perfectly serious Johnson byists, singing in the car and maybe songs, and performs a vast collection of plunking away at some family guitar, but traditional songs with the same varied Joel’s Southern Illinois parents were the qualities, making an evening with Joel Purchase tickets ONLINE for Mad real thing, being what were then called Mabus a marvelous event to absorb. Folk concerts via Brown Paper “hillbilly” musicians, working medicine Joel is a long standing Wisconsin Tickets (with $1.62 service shows and other road shows for the favorite, with our state being one of his charge): parent company of the legendary WLS favorite stops on his forty year ramble https://www.brownpapertickets. Barn Dance. This family history gives from coast to coast. He is a midwest- com/producer/10879 Joel the most comfortable relationship ern treasure whose music will live on You can also purchase advance to the music and stylings of America’s for eons. Don’t miss Joel Mabus! This tickets by mail. Send a stamped self- side roads of anyone on the circuit to- show is going to be at our old stomp- addressed envelope with your check day. This ease of singing, playing, and ing grounds at the Wil-Mar Center, and payable to Mad Folk, PO Box 665, patter is infectious in the best of all please note that the show starts at 8:00, Madison, WI 53701. If all else fails, call possible ways. Joel’s audiences come and doors will open at 7:30. Tickets away from his shows with a renewed are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. 608-846-9214 for information. feeling of being true partners in the joy- This is going to be a fun night of ous job of passing along the grand mu- music! sical traditions of this old corner of the Folklore Village Annual Fundraising Event NovemberFolklore Village’s Fall22 Folk Fare 924-4000 or FACEBOOK Folklore Prairie Bayou Cajun Band will Fundraiser, Sat., Nov 22, 6:00 – 11 Village Fall Fare Fundraiser . escalate the evening into high gear, pm, begins with potluck supper at Featured bands include the zany, and the spirited, home grown Folk- 6:30, dances taught. Live music by eclectic Intemperance Collective, lore Village Orchestra welcomes three bands – the zany Balkan In- five Madison area musicians who area fiddlers, guitarists and wash tub temperance Collective, the irresist- play foot-stomping dance music bass thumpers to sit in with them, ible Prairie Bayou Cajun Band, the from the eleven countries lining following an informal rehearsal from open-to-all Folklore Village Orches- southeast Europe’s Balkan Moun- 5:00 to 6:00 preceding the event. tra -- amidst 100-plus folk-inspired tains. Dances will be taught and be- Directions: South on Co BB silent auction items, will raise funds ginners and families are welcome to from Hwy 18-151 between Ridge- for this non-profit rural folk art cen- join in the easy circle, line, and vil- way and Dodgeville, WI. Requested ter’s programs and buildings. (608) lage dances. donation $15-$25.
If you are on Facebook, please consider (if you have not already) “friending” or is it “liking” this page. Then when you are on this page you can invite others to “like” this page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-Folk-Music-Society/34497984835 Summer’s End - garnet rogers snow goose songs ~ 2014
stuff - that’s where I go.” repertoire. Rogers delivers it beautifully in the rich bari- And though Rogers knows his way around a tone voice that caresses both lyric and melody. The driving electric guitar and revved up vocals, Summer’s CD concludes with A Fireside Chat that started out as End presents a quieter, evocative collection of thirteen a joke following an introduction Rogers had to a BBC songs. In some ways, this CD was a long time in the radio show called, Harry’s Game which is set in hell. making as Rogers has wrestled, like many indepen- Rogers was inspired by the humor and his songwrit- dent musicians, with the changes the digital age has ing was off and running with verses added as robustly brought not only to the industry but to how artists pres- as a good sea shanty. New listeners to Garnet Rog- ent their music. It would be a seven year break with re- ers will enjoy Summer’s End as an accessible intro- cording music. “I hate the whole thing of downloading. duction of one of North America’s great talents, and old I take a huge amount of care with the records. I use friends will enjoy the coming home of a strong acoustic really great equipment and great antique microphones offering. By all means, plans should be made to hear and everything sounds wonderful and by the time it these songs and others, along with terrific stories that gets downloaded it sounds like a frustrated bee in a connect and weave with poignancy and humor when Review by Darcy Greder tin can. So I resent having the music stuffed into that Mad Folk proudly presents Garnet Rogers at the Brink Garnet Rogers returns to Madison on Novem- hole and I resent people just downloading one song. Lounge on November 21 at 7:00pm. ber 21 to play the Brink Lounge in support of his The albums are always put together as a whole. Mad Folk News is published monthly by the latest CD, Summer’s End and Mad Folk devotees It’s a loss of artistic control that annoys me the Madison Folk Music Society, a non-profit, will find an evening filled with excellent instrumenta- most.” On Summer’s End, Rogers’s attention of tion, rich vocals and textured stories that reveal both the sonic experience and the musical journey he volunteer-led society dedicated to fostering his humor and humanity. Rogers, regarded as a wants to provide is evident. Intentionally, Rogers folk music in the Madison area. national treasure throughout Canada, has carved has brought an array of acoustic instruments to Contact us at [email protected] out a career of note after the untimely death of his the recording creating a warm, intimate acoustic about concerts, membership, scholarships, folk legend brother, Stan, with whom he shared the offering that will be reminiscent of live shows like and volunteer opportunities at stage in one of the most influential folk duos in North his Madison play at the Brink Lounge in No- www.madfolk.org. America. From 1978-83, Rogers worked as a pro- vember, Although most of the songs on the disc ducer and arranger for Stan, who died in a freak feature Rogers by himself, there are also several Madison Folk Music Society Board in-flight plane fire at age 33. Honoring dates booked songs that feature fine contributions from David before Stan’s passing, Rogers continued through Woodhead on bass and piano, and one with the years to craft a solo career faithful to his vision co-producer Scott Merritt on vibes. and to his independent spirit. On a project that is very strong, standout DarleneBuhler...... President,Concerts, Garnet Rogers’ song writing is literate and the songs for this reviewer include The Road to To- Advertising prose spare. He crafts thoughtful songs that tell pro- bermory, a beautiful instrumental tune that be- 225-0710~ [email protected] found and simple truths that reveal loss, yearning, gins the CD and is a tribute to a dear departed PegMichel….…...... Treasurer and memory, the resilience of the human spirit and friend. Many of the songs on this disc were 831-1876 ~ [email protected] the unfolding of life. His rich baritone is a beautiful written not only during Rogers’ self-imposed Tracy Comer ...... Membership & Web Site counterpoint to his meticulous musicianship—and hiatus from recording but a period of loss of 729-4498 ~ [email protected] is there a stringed instrument that Rogers has not good friends like Bill Morrissey and Bill O’Neill, NorbertWodke…...... …Secretary mastered? Certainly, in concert, he is apt to have and also his parents who died within months an array of instruments likely to include three vin- of one another after illnesses that found Rog- 836-8422 ~ [email protected] tage Gibson acoustic guitars, a National guitar, a ers and his wife providing significant caretaking. DedeGoldberg...... Newsletter Fender Stratocaster, and sometimes a Hammer- Though many of the songs were written against distribution tone Octave 12 (half-scale electric 12-string guitar) the backdrop of these losses, this collection is 246-4332 ~ [email protected] all at the ready on a guitar rack within arm’s reach. far from an extended elegy. It is a collection of Neil Morris...... Newsletter His phrasing coupled with a vocal style that draws beautiful heartrending songs about memory, editor the listener in suggests an intimacy between singer grief, hope and love. The Sweet Spot is an up- 358-5855 ~ [email protected] and audience. The number of instruments at the beat song about finding that place in the world Meg Skinner.………...... Scholarships ready is not about show, but is everything about the where you belong, both geographically and 238-6950 ~ [email protected] show—Rogers wants to be ready to use an instru- spiritually. For Rogers, that sweet spot is a small David Eagan...... ment on the fly as the set list is determined in the house in Canso right on the harbor and a short moment. Rogers explains, “I never know what the walk from the house where his grandparents 249-0409 ~ [email protected] set list is going to look like. I go up there with a blank lived when he was a child. Summers End has Ron Dennis …...... …...... ………. page. The first couple songs I try to figure out how two bonus tracks that are both noteworthy—the 226-9472 ~ [email protected] the audience is going to react and it goes from there. first is brother Stan’s Sailor’s Rest which is a If they want quieter stuff - great. If they want louder lovely piece that never found its way into Stan’s Fingers of a genius and the taste of an angel. – Folkscene
Saturday, November 8 8:00 pm Wil-Mar Center 953 Jenifer Street
Tickets $15 advance, $17 day of show Available at: www.madfolk.org, Spruce Tree Music, Orange Tree Imports
Non-perishable donations of food will be collected for local food banks. lanes, and hot doggers doing ninety. helped Larry establish himself as a Larry talks about this road in the song career songwriter and performer. East Chicago Run, written for a truck © 2014 driving friend: Larry's populist empathies and skillful Peter Berryman songwriting abilities naturally led to an archived at louandpeter.com email [email protected] Wishin' that my woman informal membership in and enduring was beside me in the cab friendship with that crusty gang known Thank You Larry Penn Countin' every pothole as the Rose Tattoo, the wildly creative on an endless concrete slab and loosely knit band of train-loving, Thirty years of haulin' union-boosting, hobo-admiring musi- on that East Chicago run cian friends of Utah Phillips. Everything from gasoline to Puerto Rican rum As with his Rose Tattoo friends, Larry Listenin' to the swearin' was driven by the same perceptive of mechanics in the rain compassion for the struggling individ- Thirty years of Aspirin ual that inspired the works of John for the achin' in my brain... Steinbeck, Mark Twain, and Woody Guthrie. As we white knuckled that road, Lou and I talked about what we imagined And Larry was humble. At one of the to be the horribly difficult lives of truck many memorial events that were held drivers, who have to do this sort of run in honor of Utah Phillips after his every day then turn right around and death, Larry sat beside me with a beer do it again and again and again, all for in his hand. He told me he had been fifty cents a mile. Until retiring at age asked to play for three other Phillips 58 and going full time with his music, memorial concerts and for one reason Larry Penn was a truck driver for the or another he had had to turn them Ladish Company of Cudahy, a large down. I wish I could remember ex- I don't think the legendary Wisconsin scale industrial forging outfit. Some- actly how he put this, but it was some- songwriter and performer Larry Penn, times he would drive the wild road- thing like: "I had to turn them down. who died on October 7, would have ways for nine hours then go out and But you know how much they'll miss minded my telling here of the time that play a coffeehouse show that night. I me? (He stuck his thumb in his beer he and my music partner Lou and I don't know how he did it; my adrena- and pulled it back out.) As much as I'll were trudging along on a hot day at line banks would have run dry two miss that thumb-hole in my beer." the Shawano Folk Festival, hauling thirds of the way through such a day. our instruments and equipments from And in his spare time, he and his Larry was not right about that as- one far workshop to another, when he wonderful wife Pat raised five children, sessment, I know. And now, his pres- mumbled to me in his charmingly so Larry not only knew the difficulties ence will be dearly missed by those of growly voice, "And to think it will all and joys of being a father and hus- us who loved this humane and sympa- end with a coronary on stage." band, but the rewards and drudgeries thetic artist when he was alive, and by of the blue collar worker, as well as all those down the road who will dis- As it turned out, that is not how it the peculiarities of being a songwriter cover his songs and recordings, and ended for Larry, who "caught the and performer. feel blue about not having had the Westbound" at his home on October opportunity to see him in person. 7th, at age 87. I hadn't heard this And in my opinion, he was one of the saddening news until a full week later, greatest songwriters of our state and This Whither Zither is by no means catching up on the various folk music of our times. He sang and recorded meant to be a comprehensive over- postings that normally keep me more many traditional works, but because view of Larry Penn's life or music. I or less informed of happenings in the I'm a songwriter, his original songs are sincerely recommend researching the homegrown music subculture. what really blow me away. They seem man and his music further. so naturally constructed, it's as though Lou and I had been on the road on the they developed effortlessly on their According to a memorial notice in the east coast, and when I came upon own, but I know that such a natural Milwaukee Journal Sentinel of Octo- Larry's obituary, I was still vibrating flow can only come from long hours ber 15, "Memorials to the Larry Penn from the 1100 mile drive from wrestling with words and ideas. Be- Memorial Fund at Tri City National Shrewsbury MA to Madison. We had cause of his empathetic perspective Bank to keep Larry's music alive and divided the drive into two legs. For on a day in the life of a working stiff, for the care of Larry's son and would our second day, it was pouring rain all and the songs that resulted, he was be greatly appreciated." the way, which always makes that run discovered by the late great labor bal- along the southern edge of Chicago ladeer Joe Glazer (Whither Zither Goodbye and thank you, Larry, and all particularly crazy. That stretch of I-80/ June 2001) in 1976. Joe produced our loving sympathies to Pat and the I-90 is almost always a nightmare of Larry's first LP, Workin' for a Livin', rest of your family, friends, and fans. trucks, construction barrels, closed one of my favorites. That album WZ Nov 2014 “…capable of awe-inspiring and unpredictable stuff – and that includes more than just music.”
Friday, November 21 7:00 pm THE BRINK LOUNGE, 701 E. Washington, Suite 105
Tickets $15 advance, $17 day of show Available at: www.madfolk.org, Spruce Tree Music, Orange Tree Imports Non-perishable donations of food will be collected for local food banks. November 2014
Joel Mabus Lou & Peter Berryman Saturday November 8 -- 8pm • November 8 - Mt. Horeb, WI The Wil-Mar Center 953 Jenifer St -- $15 adv, $17 d.o.s. History District 1 School, 110 N. 2nd Street OFFICIAL ALBUM RELEASE SHOW!!! Album 19!!! Sponsored by Garnet Rogers SW WI Area Progressives, Orange Cocoa Cake available during Friday November 21 -- 7pm intermission! 7:30pm, 608-845-7312 The Brink Lounge 701 E. Washington -- $15 adv, $17 d.o.s. Tracy Grammer Friday January 16 -- 7pm The Brink Lounge 701 E. Washington -- $15 adv, $17 d.o.s.
Old Time Jam The Brink Lounge Monthly - 2nd Sunday of every month, 4 to 6pm • Wednesday, November 5, Aaron Williams and the HooDoo, EVP West 3809 Mineral Point Road 8pm, no cover Coodinator: Al Wilson • Tuesday, November 18, Daniel Anderson Trio - 7pm, no cover cell: 608-572-0634 [email protected] 701 E. Washington thebrinklounge.com 608-661-8599 Madison Ukulele Club-- Singalongs 1st and 3rd Weds 7:00-9:00pm
Folklore Village - call for location- 246-8205 (Andrew) 3210 Cty Hwy BB Dodgeville, WI • Saturday, November 8 -- Shape Note Singing Day in Plum Grove Cajun jam held every rst Sunday 3 p.m.-5 p.m. There will be no jam folklorevillage.org Church in July. 608-924-4000 • Thu-Sun, November 13 - 16 -- Pourparlor Dance Educators Conven- At the Froth House: 11 N. Allen St., Madison We welcome all levels of tion, register at www.NFO-USA.org experience with instruments and Cajun music. • Saturday, November 15 - Healthy Hoe-Down and Old-Time Jam with Call Karen at 608-238-6039 for more info. www.prairiebayoucajun.com Sponsor Lacey's Lathers • Saturday, November 22 - Folklore Village Annual Fundraiser Event Cafe Carpe All shows at 8:30pm unless indicated otherwise • Saturday, November 1, Done Haynie & Sheryl Samuel Simply Folk on Wisconsin Public Radio w/ Stephanie Elkins- , 18 S. Water St. • Wednesday, November 5, Spook Handy “Remembering Pete Host Ft. Atkinson, WI cafecarpe.com Seeger” - $10 - @8pm Sun 5:00-8:00pm 920-563-9391 • Thursday, November 6, Dayna Kurtz - $15 - @8pm Concerts recorded in Wisconsin, music and dance of people • Friday, November 7, Claudia Russel & Bruce Kaplan w/ Katie Dahl wpr.org the world over. For playlists, calendars, station listings, and • Thursday, November 13, The New Pioneers - $9 - @7pm more, visit www.wpr.org/simplyfolk. • Friday, November 14, Bill Camplin w/ Jamie Sheldon- $9 • Saturday, November 15, Roxanne Neat - @8pm WORT 89.9 FM community radio Sun -- 3:00-5:00pm • Wednesday, November 19, Zoe Muth wort-fm.org & The Lost High Rollers - $10 - @8pm • “On the Horizon” w/ Ford Blackwell, Tracy • Thursday, November 20, Rebecca Loebe - @8pm Lawrence, Paul Novak, Gloria Hays & Jason Rowe • Friday, November 21, Michael Johnson - $17.50 adv Weekdays 9:00am-noon • Saturday, November 22, Bill Camplin & the Living Embers - $9 • Mon - Global Revolutions (folk from the world over) • Saturday, November 22, Hayward Williams w/ Dan Talmo & Martin Alvarado • Tue -- For the Sake of the Song (traditional American Irish Cultural & Heritage Center folk) w/Jim Schwall • Saturday, November 22, Hanneke Cassel - 7:30pm - 2133 W Wisconsin Ave • Wed -- Back to the Country (country music on a $21 adv / $25 d.o.s. - $10 for students w/ ID Milwaukee, WI -- ichc.net theme) w/Bill Malone 414-345-8800 • Thur -- Diaspora (folk and international) w/Terry O’ • Fri -- Mud Acres (bluegrass and acoustic) w/Chris Stoughton Opera House • Wednesday, November 5, Taj Mahal - 7:30pm - $50 / $25 Powers 381 E. Main Street obstructed Stoughton, WI • Friday, November 14, Stoughton Chamber Singers: Pastorale - stoughtonoperahouse.com 7:30pm - call for more information 608-877-4400 • Saturday, November 15, Darlingside - 7:30pm - $15 / $7.50 • African/African-American Dance classes with live drumming -- Sun, 7:00-9:00pm -- obstructed Metro Dance, 3009 University Ave. -- 255-3677 / 251-4311 • Sunday, November 16, Henry Rollins: Spoken Word - 7:30pm - $35 / $17.50 obstructed • SpiritMoves Ecstatic Dance 2nd and 4th Weds, 7:00-9:00 pm -- The Center for • Saturday, November 22, Chuck Mean & His Grassy Knoll Boys - Conscious Living, 849 East Washington Ave. -- $7 min. donation 7:30pm - $25 / $12.50 obstructed 701A E. Washington • English Country Dance taught -- 1st and 3rd Mon, 7:30-9:30pm -- Wil-Mar Center, www.high-noon.com 953 Jenifer St. -- 238-9951 or 238-9951 • International Dancing -- Wed and Sun; classes 7:30-8:30pm, request dancing Kiki’s Righteous House of Music 8:30-11:00pm -- The Crossing, 1127 University Ave. -- 241-3655 Invitation & Advance RSVP required. • Irish Dancing -- Monthly Ceili and set dance events are posted at For full details or to request an invitation, contact Kiki at celticmadison.org/dance [email protected] • Italian Dancing -- Tue, 7:00-9:00pm, no experience or partner necessary -- Wil-Mar • November 10 @ 8 pm (doors at 7) Matt the Electrician -- $10 Center, 953 Jenifer St. -- 838-9403 (Philana) • November 18 @ 8 pm (doors at 7) Will Johnson -- $15 • Madison Contra Dance Cooperative -- Tue; 7:30 jam band practice, intermediate • November 20 @ 8 pm (doors at 7) Ray Bonneville -- $15 level dancing 7:45-9:40pm -- $5 for non-members -- Gates of Heaven, 302 E. Gorham -- • November 29 @ 9 pm (doors at 8) Andre Williams and the Goldstars -- $20 238-3394 (Steve) Mike Tuten’s Music House • Morris Dancing -- Wed, 7:00pm -- call for location -- 238-9951 Invitation & Advance RSVP required. • Scottish Country Dancing -- Sun, 7:00pm -- Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St. -- 835-0914 For full details or to request an invitation, contact Mike at [email protected] • December 3 @ 7 pm (doors at 6:30) Dana & Susan Robinson -- $15 Madison Folk Music Society Nonprofit Org P.O. Box 665, Madison, WI 53701 U.S. Postage Address Service Requested PAID ……………………………… Madison, WI ……………. Permit No. 2278 Renew your membership today at www.madfolk.org
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