Volume 41 No. 1 January 2015
Start the New Year off with the music of Tracy Grammer Review by Darcy Greder musical genius as well as the humanity of ences to Carter songs performed by the High praise for Tracy Grammer came her late partner. Early shows were a bit of duo—Gentle Arms of Eden, The Mountain early in her career and accolades con- a struggle and the loss of Carter was palat- and I Go Like the Raven create a mosaic tinue to flow forth following her transition able as Tracy performed and talked about to reveal Tracy’s circuitous journey from from being one-half of the most promising him. Her grief work was, in part, played grief to acceptance of Carter’s death. For duos in the last twenty-five years—Carter out in the intimate clubs and venues that fans and reviewer’s alike, The Verdant and Grammer—to the solo work she has provided a stage as Tracy honored the Mile gave a promise for things to come, crafted since the untimely death of part- bookings. As in the arc of any grieving, and Tracy has kept faith through her sub- ner, Dave Carter. For five short years, there came a time for Tracy to evaluate sequent releases. Flower of Avalon is folk from 1997-2002, Carter and Grammer what would come next, both personally with a country-rock inflection. Produced produced four studio CDs, toured exten- and professionally. And the answers to by Tracy and John Jennings, the record- sively and garnered the attention of fel- those questions have given rise the next ing combines outstanding musical ar- low artists, critics and fans on the strength chapter of her musical story. rangements with peerless performances of Carter’s writing and the musicality of To say that Tracy has found her voice by Jennings on guitars, Tracy on vocals, their collaboration. Poised on the brink of may be an overstatement—of Tracy’s tal- fiddle, acoustic guitar, banjo and dulcimer, stardom and heralded as “the new voice ent, Joan Baez has said, “Tracy Grammer and features Mary Chapin Carpenter har- of modern folk music,” this next big thing is a brilliant and unique individual. Her monies on many of the tracks. Reflecting never reached their full potential due to the voice is distinctive, as his her mastery over on Tracy and this body of work, Carpen- passing of Carter. In those four years of the instruments she plays.” High praise ter states, “Her pure voice conveys the ascendancy, Carter and Grammer toured and indicative that those chops have al- simple truths of these songs; her gifts as relentlessly and honed their performances ways been evident. Although Tracy was a musician are like that of a painter who is shifting toward the end to feature Tracy’s born in Florida, she grew up in California a master of chiaroscuro, offering light and vocals, a direction that was planned to and was raised in a musical family. Her shadows at every turn.” Lesser-known take preeminence. It was Dave Carter’s father played acoustic, electric and lap instrumentalists play Dobro, mandolin, expressed desire for Tracy’s voice to be steel guitars and a distant relation played piano, drums, organ, bass and clarinet. In out front. By their last recording together, in the Lawrence Welk orchestra. It is said February 2006, Flower of Avalon received Tracy’s vocals were featured in half of the that Tracy began her musical journey on a the American Folk Alliance’s awards for songs on the album. borrowed violin at age 9. She would go on solo artist of the year 2005, song of the The loss of Dave Carter left a hole in to complete a degree in English literature year and album of the year. Her third solo the music community spurring shock and from the University of California, Berkeley. effort, Book of Sparrows, is a seven-song tributes. Just days after his death, Tracy In the business, she is known for her ‘clear EP released in December, 2007. Ever the went on to Falconridge where the duo alto voice and perfectly intoned violin, and multi-instrumentalist, Tracy plays mul- was set to headline. In place of their per- guitar work that are alternately softly nu- tiple stringed instruments on the disc and formance, the community of artists and anced or percussive.’ Village Records receives support on vocals and various audience combined for a musical tribute states that Tracy “flies solo with a style and guitars from Jim Henry. Tracy and Henry to the memory and artistry of Dave Carter. grace that must be heard to be believed… toured together for several years, begin- Tracy, feeling the loss most profoundly on she is a voice to be reckoned with.” ning in September 2003. Henry also both a professional and personal level, In her post-Carter and Grammer ca- shares co-producer credits with Tracy for found strength and comfort in that gather- reer, Tracy has released three solo al- Book of Sparrows. In 2014, in a commit- ing playing alongside fellow artists paying bums. Her first, The Verdant Mile, is an ment to grow as a songwriter, Tracy joined homage to Carter. Indeed, throughout the EP and the title track is her first original 21 other female singer-songwriters in a next year, Tracy would work to fulfill dates composition, a eulogy for Dave Carter. project headed by Cary Cooper called booked by the duo—interpreting both the The Verdant Mile is infused with refer- “RealWomenRealSongs.” The project re- Continued from pg 1 over 30 million views. He has been touring Mad Folk Concert Tickets quires each participant to write and upload nonstop since 2001 and has performed When you see this symbol – ee one song per week for 52 weeks to the Re- just about everywhere within the US. He – you’ll know that you’re read- alWomenRealSongs YouTube channel. has released three cds, including 2004’s ing about a Mad Folk sponsored Interspersed with her own solo work, “Moment of Clarity”, 2008’s “To Whom event. Advance tickets for Mad Tracy continues to give honor and tribute It May Concern” and 2011’s “Live at the Folk shows are available online to the creative brilliance of Dave Carter. In Guild” with longtime collaborators Mark at www.madfolk.org and at these 2005, her company, Tracy Grammer Mu- Paffrath and Jeff Ward. Born and raised in outlets: sic, made arrangements with Elise Fisch- Racine, WI, Johnson now resides in Saint er, Carter’s sister and copyright owner, to Paul, MN. He graduated in 2006 from • Orange Tree Imports, 1721 Mon- administer the catalog of Dave Carter, giv- Lawrence University in Appleton, WI as a ing her effective control over the duo’s mu- triple major student of music performance, roe Street sic. Since then, Tracy has released four theatre arts and psychology. Johnson will Carter and Grammer albums: celebrate his most exciting release yet: a • Spruce Tree Music, 851 East 2006—Seven is the Number stunning 6 disc, 125 song tribute to the Johnson 2007—American Noel music of Tom Waits. He is currently re- 2008—Little Blue Egg cording new original music for his next Purchase tickets ONLINE for Mad 2012—Joy is My Love (EP) release. Zach’s music has brought him to Folk concerts via Brown Paper Little Blue Egg is particularly notable as stages of all sizes across the country and Tickets (with $1.62 service it contains 11 previously-unheard duo re- onto multiple NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX charge): cordings that had been recovered from the morning and evening shows, radio around https://www.brownpapertickets. Carter and Grammer archives. Little Blue the country and more. Johnson’s mas- com/producer/10879 Egg consists of eleven songs (ten of them tery of many instruments lead to exciting Carter compositions) for which Carter had live shows, where Johnson performs on You can also purchase advance recorded vocals a decade or more earlier. piano, 6 and 12 string acoustic and elec- tickets by mail. Send a stamped self- Tracy found the tapes in their home and tric guitars, baritone guitar, dobro, banjo, addressed envelope with your check finished the songs herself. These post- mandolin, violin, lap steel, harmonicas, payable to Mad Folk, PO Box 665, humous releases provide a glimpse into octave mandolin, viola, bass, drums, per- Madison, WI 53701. If all else fails, call Tracy’s solo career and performances. In cussion, banjolin, dulcimer, ukulele, pedal 608-846-9214 for information. concert, Tracy deftly moves from Carter steel and more. His repertoire covers a and Grammer offerings to her own solo wide range of styles and genres, from folk work while telling stories about the duo’s to jazz, rock to spoken word, blues to pop, etc.) Noel Paul Stookey (from Peter, Paul first meeting, Carter’s quirks and fancies country to a cappella, gospel to instru- and Mary), Creed Bratton (from “The Of- or her own misadventures and missteps. mental and more. Johnson is a nation- fice” and The Grass Roots), Lisa Loeb, She is a masterful storyteller with a riotous ally touring artist, performing 75 or more Mary Gauthier, Mary Black, David Wilcox, sense of humor and is thus able to give dates annually and is a proud member of Ellis Paul, Lucero and more. Johnson has honor to Carter’s memory alongside the the Grammy Recording Foundation. His strong Facebook and Twitter fanbases. evolution of her life and career deftly bal- hit YouTube channel, thesongadayproject Please be sure to visit him on Facebook ancing life’s joys and sorrow to tilt toward has Johnson bringing a song--either origi- as well as his website www.zacharyscot- hope. nal or cover--from wherever he is on any johnson.com. given day and has run for over 825 con- ...Opening the concert will be Zach- secutive days (over 2 full years without a Madison audiences have an opportu- ary Scot Johnson, who is both a well trav- single missed day), and garnered an as- nity to hear and see Tracy Grammer and eled singer/ songwriter, having shared the tonishing number of loyal viewers. Over 50 Zachary Scot Johnson on January 16 at stage with many artists in this genre of guests have appear on the channel in col- 7:00 pm at the Brink. Information about music and has a strong internet presence, laboration with Zach including Jeff Daniels this and other Madfolk concerts is avail- including a YouTube channel with well (“Dumb and Dumber”, “The Newsroom”, able on the web site at: http://madfolk.org/ 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 ClaudiaThe spectacular Claudia Schmidt Schmidt countless others, with has a built inDean metro- Claudia Magraw Schmidt with special guest is coming to town and if that weren’t nome and a jazz ear that could tell you Dean Magraw enough, joining her onstage is the im- the key of a maple tree a block away. Saturday, February 28, 2015 possibly gifted Dean Magraw. It’s hard His fancy finger-work is astonishing but 7:00 pm (Doors open at 6:30pm) to imagine a more exciting linkup. Clau- delicate. Like Claudia, he creates mu- The Brink Lounge dia by herself, as decades of Madison sic that is beautiful and exciting at the 701 E. Washington Ave. (and worldwide) fans can attest, exudes same time. It will be an unforgettable Madison, WI 53701 more honest and driving musical emo- thrill to behold Claudia and Dean actually 608-661-8599 tion in five minutes than ten of us mortals playing together on stage. Many of the $15 in advance cobble together in two days. She says quotes used to describe Claudia or Dean $17 day of show of her newly released nineteenth album could be applied to both of them. For that the process, with many old and new example, this one, about Dean, could be used equally well for Clau- dia: “Watching him perform, it’s clear that he’s doing exactly what he wants to do. He exudes antic joy.” -- Pamela Espeland, Min- nPost.com. To participate in a night of antic joy, with warmth and passion thrown in for good measure, come to this most musical of shows!
friends, was “...a humbling and breath- taking experience;” that is the perfect phrase to describe a Claudia Schmidt concert. Somehow she exudes excite- ment and humility at the same time; it is a wonder to behold. Her songwriting is flawless, her voice gives you goose- bumps, her joyous phrasing makes you shiver with delight, and she is a dazzling instrumentalist.
And speaking of dazzling instrumen- talists, there is none finer than the peren- nially popular and prolific Dean Magraw of the Twin Cities. For many years part- nered with mandolinist Peter Ostroushko, Dean, who has played and recorded with Jon Dee Graham do not forget freedom records ~ 2014
markably good for what is in some cas- and probably the sexiest riff he’s ever es a guy sitting in the audience holding written. On this night in Lincoln, Neb., up a microphone. The roughness can they get an assist from Josh Hoyer of be jarring at first, but over the course the Shadowboxers on piano. This tune of eighteen tracks you adjust. Besides, was made for rollicking barroom keys; the professional recordings are already it’s too bad it can’t get that treatment out there (if you don’t already own all all the time. The record closes with a of Graham’s studio records, you should barn-burning version of the title track, get them). A testament to Graham’s previously unreleased. This isn’t the prowess as a storyteller, the track “Jon most essential Jon Dee Graham record, Dee Has a Flat Tire” isn’t even a song; but it is a sort of audio photo album it’s just a story about this one time when of a remarkable career. Not to men- Review by Kiki Schueler Jon Dee had a flat tire. He starts off by tion something to tide you over in the saying, “I’m about to tell a really long months between his visits to Madison. If you’ve seen Jon Dee Graham story. Those of you who just said play a show, you know what a force “aw” should go smoke a cigarette, Mad Folk News is published monthly by the of nature he can be. Do Not Forget you have time.” Eventually I may Madison Folk Music Society, a non-profit, does its best to capture that feeling. tire of it, but it hasn’t gotten old volunteer-led society dedicated to fostering Composed of fan recordings and radio yet. It falls three tracks in on the folk music in the Madison area. station appearances, the record spans decidedly mellower first half of the Contact us at [email protected] eighteen years and a good chunk of record. The aforementioned open- about concerts, membership, scholarships, the US. The bulk of the recordings are ing track, “$100 Bill,” is a sweet and volunteer opportunities at from the last couple of years, which meditation on the memory of a www.madfolk.org. isn’t surprising given the nonstop tour father-son trip. “Lucky Moon,” an- schedule he’s been on during that time. other travelogue of sorts, gets all- Madison Folk Music Society Board Midwest recording enthusiast Rob star backing from Texas alt country Hanning contributes tracks from Mis- band the Gourds at TT the Bears in souri and Nebraska, while Mike Fickel, Cambridge, Mass. The emotional DarleneBuhler...... President,Concerts, credited as “Head Archivist/Program “Swept Away” is even more pow- Advertising Manager/Producer” in the liner notes, erful here, played solo at the Fire 225-0710~ [email protected] recorded most of the Texas tracks. It’s Room in Osage Beach, Mo. “The PegMichel….…...... Treasurer no shock that most of those are from Majesty of Love,” also solo from 831-1876 ~ [email protected] the legendary Continental Club in Aus- the same tour, is a valentine of the Tracy Comer ...... Membership & Web Site tin, where Graham plays a weekly gig everyday sort, finding beauty in the 729-4498 ~ [email protected] with his band the Fighting Cocks. The mundane. NorbertWodke…...... …Secretary Cocks vary from track to track, but the 836-8422 ~ [email protected] most frequent co-conspirators are An- The record turns the corner as DedeGoldberg...... Newsletter drew Duplantis (also of Son Volt) on the slow-building wonder of “Look distribution bass, Joey Shuffield on drums and the Up” gives way to “Beautifully Bro- 246-4332 ~ [email protected] great Michael Hardwick on guitar. The ken,” one of the standout tracks Neil Morris...... Newsletter latter has been with Graham longer from It’s Not as Bad as It Looks. editor than anyone, and you can hear his in- The song takes an honest look at 358-5855 ~ [email protected] spired guitar work even on the earliest addiction treatment, inside “a level Meg Skinner.………...... Scholarships tracks featured here, all the way back three facility for the drunk and the 238-6950 ~ [email protected] to “$100 Bill” from a radio station live disturbed, all the drugglers and David Eagan...... set in 1996. the strugglers, God’s crippled little 249-0409 ~ [email protected] birds.” It’s a dark song disguised Ron Dennis …...... …...... ………. Understandably, the sound quality by an undeniably catchy melody. 226-9472 ~ [email protected] isn’t at the level of professionally re- The highlight of the second half corded live records, but it still sounds re- is “October,” a frequent set ender “...a brilliant artist and unique individual. Her voice is distinctive, as is her mastery over the instruments she plays.” – Joan Baez
photo by Ben Barnhart
Friday, January 16 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. My to-be-wife (an Appleton High This helpful site mentioned that the School classmate) meanwhile was song was also listed by ASCAP with pursuing an education in the lan- the Washerwomen title for the instru- © 2014 guages, especially Spanish and mental but the title "Kiki" as the title for Peter Berryman French. She went on to major in the vocal version, with English lyric by archived at louandpeter.com email [email protected] these languages in college, and songwriter Charles Tobias (author of graduated with a major in Spanish and such other hits as "Don't Sit Under Me and the Kiki song; Part A a minor in French. The Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me"). Adding the Tobias name to my This Whither Zither has stretched itself A few months after Kristi and I started search, I found a site with a free into a two-part travelog of an armchair dating in 1979, fourteen years after download of the song performed by journey regarding a haunting song in our high school graduation, she trav- the Hugo Winterhalter and Son Or- my life. The second half of this stirring eled to Paris with her sister and fell in chestra, and this time with the Kiki episode will be out right here next love with the city. In recent years she lyrics I was looking for (URL below) month; don't touch that dial. has visited Paris twice on her own, Here are the lyrics of this version: and has become more fascinated with My wife, Kristi, has had the nickname the place each time. (Refrain, sung twice after each verse:) Kiki for most of her life. Aside: Her Kiki! Kiki! There's nobody like Kiki! mother told me that as a child, Kristi Recently I found a book on the web 1 dropped a pair of scissors on her that seemed to link our obsessions She was known as the girl named Kiki brother's toy train and wrecked it. He nicely. It's a large book and expensive She was Venus with lovin' arms ran to their mother and said, "Kiki cut new ($160!), so I bought a used copy She was oo la la la and chic-y my choo choo ding dong with the ow- for about $20. A glorious book full of That was Kiki with fiery charms ow sha-shap." photographs of the scene, it has the Every night in a small cafe name "KiKi's Paris: Artists and Lovers Kiki sang to the Casanovas This was in Appleton, Wisconsin. A 1900-1930," so you can see how I Till [Mo Mo who was underway] few years later, in the same town, my thought it would interest both of us. Saw Kiki and his eyes went [big] sister Mary became hooked on a re- Kiki rolled ['em] around her heart cording of a song called "Kiki" about a This renewed my interest in the song Like roulette rolls around the table woman of that name. As I've men- Kiki. I Googled, using a line from the And for [Mo Mo] of old Montmartre tioned previously, our mother worked song ("There's nobody like Kiki.") I He would [cry in his wine and sing] for a middle-of-the-road radio station initially got only one relevant hit: a 2 in Appleton and brought home records Japanese site, with the first verse of From a farm at the edge of Paris deemed unsuitable for their audience. the lyrics of the song in English and Came a fellow they called Rene This provided us kids with a stream of the rest in Japanese. The page also All he owned was the clothes he car- strange music, such as the Mad provided some hints where I might ried Magazine single, "Pimples and look for the song further. The title of On his head was an old Beret Braces," and oddities like "Kiki." I love the song was listed as "LES LA- They both met on the Eiffel Tower Mary dearly but she must have played VANDIERES DU PORTUGAL
Saturday, February 28 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. January 2014
Tracy Grammer Friday January 16 -- 7pm The Brink Lounge 701 E. Washington -- $15 adv, $17 d.o.s. Claudia Schmidt Saturday February 28 -- 7pm The Brink Lounge 701 E. Washington Ave. Suite 105 $15 adv, $17 d.o.s.
Old Time Jam Monthly - 2nd Sunday of every month, 4 to 6pm Folklore Village EVP West 3809 Mineral Point Road 3210 Cty Hwy BB Coodinator: Al Wilson Dodgeville, WI • Sat, January 17 -- Jane Night Social folklorevillage.org cell: 608-572-0634 608-924-4000 [email protected]
Wild Hog in the Woods Madison Ukulele Club-- Singalongs 1st and 3rd Weds 7:00-9:00pm • Mon, January 5 -- Coordinators Meeting -- 7pm - call for location- 246-8205 (Andrew) Wil-Mar Center • Fri, January 9 -- Rusty River -- 8pm 953 Jenifer St. • Fri, January 16 -- Wild Hob Belated 36th Birthday Cajun jam held every rst Sunday 2 p.m.-4 p.m. At the Chocolatarian: 2004 wildhoginthewoods. Party -- 7pm Atwood Ave., Madison We welcome all levels of experience with instru- org 608-233-5687 • Fri, January 23 -- Christopher Powers -- 8pm ments and Cajun music. • Fri, January 30 -- Mike Bell and Friends -- 8pm Call Karen at 608-238-6039 for more info. www.prairiebayoucajun.com
Cafe Carpe All shows at 8:30pm unless indicated otherwise • Thursday, January 1, Robin Pluer w/ Juli Wood & Chris Hanson - 18 S. Water St. $40 food music package/ $25 show only - @6:30pm Simply Folk on Wisconsin Public Radio w/ Stephanie Elkins- , Ft. Atkinson, WI cafecarpe.com • Thursday, January 8, The New Pioneers - $10 - @7pm Host 920-563-9391 • Friday, January 16, Lonesome Bill Camplin - @8pm Sun 5:00-8:00pm • Saturday, January 17, Steve Forbert - $22.50 adv. Concerts recorded in Wisconsin, music and dance of people • Saturday, January 24, Jim & Vivian Craig and Fred Campeau & wpr.org the world over. For playlists, calendars, station listings, and Mitch Thomas - $10 - @8pm more, visit www.wpr.org/simplyfolk. WORT 89.9 FM community radio Sun -- 3:00-5:00pm wort-fm.org • “On the Horizon” w/ Ford Blackwell, Tracy The Brink Lounge Lawrence, Paul Novak, Gloria Hays & Jason Rowe • Sat, January 3 - Harmonious Wail - $7 - @8pm Weekdays 9:00am-noon • Tues, January 6 - Daniel Anderson Trio - @6pm • Mon - Global Revolutions (folk from the world over) • Thurs, January 8 - Emerson D’Vortex - @7pm w/ Dan Talmo & Martin Alvarado • Sat, January 24 - Eugene Smiles Project - @8pm • Tue -- For the Sake of the Song (traditional American 701 E. Washington • Sat, January 31 - Undercover - @8pm thebrinklounge.com folk) w/Jim Schwall 608-661-8599 • Wed -- Back to the Country (country music on a theme) w/Bill Malone • Thur -- Diaspora (folk and international) w/Terry O’ • Fri -- Mud Acres (bluegrass and acoustic) w/Chris Powers
Kiki’s Righteous House of Music Invitation & Advance RSVP required. • African/African-American Dance classes with live drumming -- Sun, 7:00-9:00pm -- For full details or to request an invitation, contact Kiki at Metro Dance, 3009 University Ave. -- 255-3677 / 251-4311 [email protected] • January 9 @ 8 pm (doors at 7) Bobby Bare Jr’s Young Criminals Starvation League • SpiritMoves Ecstatic Dance 2nd and 4th Weds, 7:00-9:00 pm -- The Center for -- $15 Conscious Living, 849 East Washington Ave. -- $7 min. donation 701A E. Washington • January 23 @ 9 pm (doors at 8) Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound • English Country Dance taught -- 1st and 3rd Mon, 7:30-9:30pm -- Wil-Mar Center, www.high-noon.com -- $15 953 Jenifer St. -- 238-9951 or 238-9951 • International Dancing -- Wed and Sun; classes 7:30-8:30pm, request dancing Dave & Anne Host Folk 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 Dave & Anne at celticmadison.org/dance [email protected] • Italian Dancing -- Tue, 7:00-9:00pm, no experience or partner necessary -- Wil-Mar • January 10 @ 7:30 pm (doors at 7pm) Beth Kille and The Stellanovas (Mary Gaines Center, 953 Jenifer St. -- 838-9403 (Philana) and Chris Wagoner) -- $15 / $12 <18 • February 21 @ 7:30 pm (doors at 7pm) Bill Staines -- $18 / $15 <18 • Madison Contra Dance Cooperative -- Tue; 7:30 jam band practice, intermediate level dancing 7:45-9:40pm -- $5 for non-members -- Gates of Heaven, 302 E. Gorham -- 238-3394 (Steve) • Morris Dancing -- Wed, 7:00pm -- call for location -- 238-9951 • Scottish Country Dancing -- Sun, 7:00pm -- Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St. -- 233-2956 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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