Volume 37, No. 2 February 2011

Claudia Schmidt returns March 12 to the Brink Lounge by Lou Berryman We can never get enough of Claudia talent AND the fire of genius --The Boston life. She competed as a National Champion Schmidt, and MadFolk is presenting a not-to- Globe acro gymnast, which led to an eventual invi- be-missed, all-too-rare evening with her on tation to join the circus. Instead, she studied March 12 at the Brink Lounge. Claudia is She comes at you straight from the shoul- physiology at Ohio University and became a performer and entertainer of the first order, der, letting the listener feel the full impact of an organic chemist. But music never left her whose experience and talent supports an in- her delivery, leaving nothing behind. --David blood, and the attention she was gaining from fectious enthusiasm which will lift each audi- Nathan (AllAboutJazz.com) her song writing quickly stole her away from ence member. the academic world, as she began to record Claudia’s music is a quirky and wonder- Claudia, Claudia, Claudia, that’s all and tour across the country. ful hodgepodge (her word!) of music, poetry, you need to say. .one of the finest folk voices After settling in Austin, Texas in 2007, story, laughter. drama, and celebrating the ever to pick up a mic. Chocolatey smooth vo- she recorded her album The Jeopardy of Cir- moment. She has worked in virtually every cals swirled into jiving notes. Too delicious! cumstance, which received rave reviews in , theater, and festival in the United --Border’s Books and Music the US and the UK. She is currently touring States and Canada, as well as extensive ap- in support of a new album, Call It My Gar- pearances on TV and radio, and add very Opening for Claudia is Carrie Elkin, a den. personal versions of the work of others to her soulful singer with a gypsy spirit, a songwrit- Both of these performers, one a seasoned own original song writing, and what you get er with a keen eye. Inspired by her travels professional and the other a fresh new voice, is a unique look at the world from someone and the many places she has called home-- have been called “a force of nature”. This who says what she sees with clarity, humor, Ohio, New Mexico, Colorado, Boston, Aus- should be an amazing evening, and MadFolk and wonder. Garrison Keiilor said “when tin--she documents the human condition with urges you not to miss it! Claudia sings a song, it stays sung” sensitivity and Claudia Schmidt belongs to the genre of humor, crafting hyper literate songwriters, a word-monger songs that have of the first order, sometimes bursting at the garnered atten- boundaries of song form. In addition, she’s a tion at pres- firecracker of a singer, irrepressibly emotion- tigious song al, and a radiant, almost overwhelming per- writing con- former. It’s the folksinger trifecta, and in this tests, includ- Schmidt is nearly in a class by herself. De- ing Mountain spite a career spanning nearly four decades, Stage NewS- her intense, incandescent vocal style shows ong and the no sign of dimming. Falcon Ridge Numerous glowing reviews of her work Emerging Art- say it all: ist Showcase. Carrie got Those who keep trying to categorize her musical Claudia Schmidt’s music should just give it start young, up and file her under the general category singing in ‘TALENT’ Big talent. -Post-Bulletin (Roch- church and ester, Mn.) playing the saxophone, and Schmidt is a one-woman revitalization she has lived movement. .Schmidt is the best at what she an extremely does. --The Tribune (Oakland, Ca.) diverse and Claudia Schmidt is a true artist-she has active young sum of its parts. toured extensively in Ireland, the The Outside Track Lead vocalist and wooden flute United Kingdom, Germany and at ICHC Feb. 25 player Norah Rendell, a native of France. Hailing from Canada, Ireland Canada, began her career as a pro- “Simply a consummate blend and Scotland, the five members fessional recorder player and then of skill, talent, flair and inten- of The Outside Track will bring turned to , which led to sity. Best of the best! The perfect a stunning synthesis of virtuosity a 2008 nomination as Traditional blend.” – Folkwords and energy to their performance Singer of the Year by the Canadian Tickets for the show are $19 in at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Folk Music Awards. She is cur- advance and $23 the day of concert Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave., rently the education director at the with discounts for students and Milwaukee, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Center for Irish Music in St. Paul, groups. To order online, visit ichc. Feb. 25. Minn. net. Tickets may also be ordered The band members – each of Canadian Mairi Rankin, a by calling (414) 345-8800. whom is an award-winning musi- member of the legendary musi- cian – met while students at the cal Rankin family, plays fiddle, sings backing vocals, and does Irish World Academy of Music and MadFolkNewsispublishedmonthlyby Dance in Limerick, Ireland. Their Cape Breton-style step dancing. the Madison Folk Music Society, a non- eclectic combination of influences She has performed at many of profit, volunteer-led society dedicated and backgrounds “buzz and fizz Europe and North American’s to fostering folk music in the Madison together,” according to the UK’s most prestigious festivals, in- area. Contact us at madfolk@charter. Maverick Magazine, resulting in cluding Milwaukee Irish Fest, net.Learnaboutconcerts,membership, s traditional music with a modern as a member of the supergroup cholarships,andvolunteeropportunities at twist that is far greater than the Beolach. www.madfolk.org. Allie Robertson from Edin- MadFolk Concert Tickets burgh, Scotland, plays the clar- Madison Folk Music Society Board When you see this symbol – ee – sach (Gaelic for harp) and is also you’ll know that you’re reading about highly regarded as a composer, DarleneBuhler...... President,Concerts, a Mad Folk sponsored event. Advance arranger, teacher and improvis- Advertising tickets for Mad Folk shows are avail- er. Recent awards included first 846-9214 ~ [email protected] PegMichel….…...... …….Treasurer able online at www.madfolk.org and prize at the inaugural London 831-1876 ~ [email protected] at these outlets: Harp Competition. She has per- Tracy Comer ...... Membership formed for Queen Elizabeth II as & Web Site • Borders Books West, 3416 Univer- a soloist for Yehudi Menuhin’s 276-8192 ~ [email protected] sity Ave. Live Music Now! NorbertWodke…...... …………Secretary • Orange Tree Imports, 1721 Mon- Piano accordionist Fiona 836-8422 ~ [email protected] roe Street Black developed a love for mu- DedeGoldberg...... Newsletter • Spruce Tree Music, 851 East John- sic and dance while growing up distribution son in the Scottish Highlands. Her 246-4332 ~ [email protected] Purchase tickets ONLINE for Mad distinctive rhythm and vibrant NeilMorris…...... ……...... Newsletter Folk concerts via Brown Paper style intertwines influences editor 358-5855 ~ [email protected] Tickets: from Scotland, Sweden and BillFiore……...... Scholarship, https://www.brownpapertickets. Cape Breton. Festival com/producer/10879 Guitarist and vocalist Cillian 256-4687 ~ fi[email protected] You can also purchase advance O’Dálaigh was born in Germany Meg Skinner.………...... …………...……. tickets by mail. Send a stamped self- and moved to Ireland as a child, 238-6950 ~ [email protected] addressed envelope with your check where his Irish father formed the Ron Dennis …...... …...... ………….….. payable to Mad Folk, PO Box 665, family band Trazz. O’Dálaigh 226-9472 ~ [email protected] Madison, WI 53701. If all else fails, has played guitar and flute with Vicky Jones .…...... …..………….…. call 608-846-9214 for information. Trazz since he was 14 and has 215-7621 ~ [email protected] Peter Mulvey comes to Kiki’s House of Righteous Music Feb. 20! by Kiki Schueler musician, he has continued to tour the onstrated on Letters and other terrifc Peter Mulvey’s 2009 release Letters country frequently. I’m not quite sure CDs like 2006’s Knuckleball Suite and from a Flying Machine combines two of exactly how I came to be at this show, ‘04’s Kitchen Radio, his songwriting is his greatest talents- songwriting and sto- but it was a fortuitous decision. I can smart and intuitive. His guitar playing, rytelling. While anyone who’s familiar recall only a few occasions where I have accented by his distinctive jangly sound, with any of his twelve records knows his been so amazed by my introduction to is stunning. That much you can get talent for the former, it used to be that a performer. He concluded what had from the records, but you haven’t really you had to see him play to realize his gift already been a mind-blowing musical heard him till you have seen him live, for the latter. In the guise of letters writ- experience with a surprising encore of where his quick wit and encyclopedic ten to his young nieces and nephews, he the Waterboys’ “Whole of the Moon,” knowledge make his shows immensely takes some of his best stories and inter- one of my favorite songs. I was officially entertaining and always memorable. sperses them between songs. Some I’d in love. Usually when Mulvey comes to town heard before, the always amusing tale I haven’t missed many opportuni- he headlines the High Noon Saloon or of Dynamite Bill and the introspec- ties to see him since. He no longer plays appears on a bill at the Barrymore or tive musings of Vlad the astrophysicist, “Whole of the Moon,” but he still com- Majestic Theaters. To see him in such whom Mulvey befriended based on a plements his now extensive catalog with an intimate space will be a treat. Mul- mutual love of music, astrophysics and inspired covers ranging from Hoagy vey’s friend Pamela Means will open. beer, and some I hadn’t, like the inqui- Carmichael to Greg Brown. His 2002 You can get more information about sition of Uncle Peter concerning death release Ten Thousand Mornings cap- the show, which will be Sunday, Feb- and DNA by the 6-year-old Lucy. tures some of his favorites played live ruary 20 at 8 PM, by contacting me at In any case, I hadn’t heard any of in a Boston subway station. As dem- [email protected]. them presented in this inspired format prior to Mulvey’s frst appearance at the House of Righteous Music. For that show he plugged his iPod into the PA to provide the hum of the airplane en- gine that backs each of the letters, and recited them from memory. It’s hard to imagine a venue other than the un- paralleled Café Carpe in Fort Atkinson where he could do a show like this for such a rapt and completely silent audi- ence. It’s an honor to welcome Mulvey back for what is sure to be another re- markable show. I frst discovered Peter Mulvey in the basement of the Pres House in a venue called the Catacombs. It was 1998 or ‘99, and Mulvey was playing a show in support of his recent release Glencree, which was recorded live in Ireland. After spending time in Dublin years earlier learning the trade of street

of me in the exploration of folk music, typewriter on the weatherbeaten porch, already playing a Gibson guitar and lis- arms folded, a blank piece of paper in © 2011 by tening to more obscure sources, played the carriage. His equally frumpy wife Peter Berryman [email protected] and sang a version Old Blue for me that stands in the doorway, looking out at Archived at: louandpeter.com/wz.html was not my Burl Ives version, and I re- him, while dozens of dogs of infinite and member actually saying, "That's not scuzzy variety hang out everywhere. Write About Dogs how it goes." Even as I said it, I realized The wife says, "Write about dogs!" at that moment there is no "how it goes" Well, my wife Kristi and I had to have with true folk music in the traditional That's pretty much how I came to write our dog Isabel euthanized last Thurs- sense. "How it goes" is "how you go it," about dogs, during one of those don't- day. Her kidneys had finally decided you might say, or how you remember bother-me-Sophie-I-have-to-think-of- to call it quits and to make a long story it, or how you last heard it, or how you something-to-write-about moments. I short, Izzie had stopped eating entirely read the lyrics in an old British gum have written half a dozen songs about and was begging to bow out (bow-wow wrapper from 1768, or how your tone dogs, and am probably one of only a few out?), you could tell. It's a tough deci- deaf babysitter sang it to you in the songwriters who has had a dog song sion, to put it mildly, based eventually kitchen in Louisiana in 1956. featured on a cat album. on one more of those heartbreaking lines you have to draw yourself in this world. I have always wondered if when you A dog becomes like a compartment of vividly remember some seemingly in- your brain that stands back and eyeballs A thousand articles, a thousand web significant and mundane moment in the whole situation somewhat but not sites, probably whole books and entire your life, it might indicate that the mo- totally dispassionately. I like the way lifetimes have been dedicated to the idea ment was actually NOT that insignifi- Daisy the dog is portrayed in the of songs about dogs, and here's another cant and was actually one more little Dagwood strip, as reacting with a re- one, as a sort of catharsis for yours truly. kick up the slope of enlightenment. I lated but secondary perspective to the may have read about or otherwise been main action. The use of dog in this strip A dog song had something to do with superficially aware of the idea of folk reminds me of the use of a bridge in a my learning about the concept of the music as a collection of ever-develop- song; it takes you away just far enough folk song as being malleable and with- ing works, but if so, I never really felt it from the main action to give you a sec- out fixed lyrics or melody. I think I've in my guts until I made a fool statement ond philosophical peek at the situation, mentioned before that my mom worked like that to my smarter older brother. putting it all in perspective. George as a writer for a radio station and used From that moment on I knew: there is Booth often uses dogs in his cartoons in to bring home albums that had been sent no "how it goes." that same way. This particular cartoon to that station but rejected. WHBY in notwithstanding, the dogs in Booth's Appleton was very middle-of-the-road, As a boy I never had a dog. We had cats, cartoons are usually not necessary to the so she brought home a LOT of music, we had birds, we had a few depressed main action, but contribute greatly to the even including that incendiary genre, fish, we had a hamster who chewed his impact. Which is, in a way, how dogs folk music. Fortunately for me, even way through 3/4 inch pine to escape figure into real life, at least on my Burl Ives and Jimmie Driftwood were and eventually die beneath the strings weatherbeaten porch. too mind-blowing for the early 1960s of the baby grand (maybe during a rous- ears of Appleton. And it was from a Burl ing version of Toot Toot Tootsie Good So to try and tie this all together, a dog's Ives album that I learned to sing, and to Bye as played by my mom, accompa- perceived perception is one more ver- play on my baritone uke, his version of nying my tone-deaf dad on his tenor sion of "how it goes," and so is one more Old Blue. banjo). reminder that there really is no funda- mental "how it goes," and that things are I had an old dog, his name was Blue But I never had a dog, and never lived what you make of them. How some & I bet you five dollars he's a good dog too with one until Kristi and I got together situation appeared to Izzie was often not Sayin' come on Blue, you good dog you... in the late 70s. She had a Doberman how it appeared to Sophie. And what named Tara, whom I learned to love is a song but, like a pet, one more ver- The dog croaks in this sad song, a nice surprisingly quickly, and I haven't been sion of "how it goes," which, you might depressing twist for a glum teenager dogless since. Even now, we still have say, is the whole reason for art in the first like me: Sophie, our second Rat Terrier, a bit place: Perspective. lonesome now for her pal Izzie but still I dug his grave, with a silver spade keeping us in perspective and in Or at least that's one old dog's opinion I lowered him down with a golden chain stitches. of' how it goes. Saying go on Blue, you good dog you... There's a George Booth cartoon that says Gosh, it still makes me misty, typing it all. Booth is one of my all time favor- In loving memory of Isabel, 1997-2011 those lines now as an old geezer. But ite cartoonists. In this one, a worn down anyway, my brother Jeff, who was ahead middle aged frumpy man sits at his WZ, Feb '11 February 2011

ee Claudia Schmidt w/ Carrie Elkin Sat, 3/12 -- 8:00pm at the Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washing - ton Oak Street Ramblers • Sat, 2/5 at the Alchemy Cafe, 1980 Atwood Ave. -- bluegrass @ 9:00pm -- 608-204-7644

10th Annual United Way Bluegrass Benet • Sun, 2/13 at the Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave. -- Starring Sparetime Bluegrass / Cork Mad Toast Live! at the e Brink Lounge ‘n Bottle String Band / Oak Street Ramblers Tuesdays -- Music, talk and variety show hosted by Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines -- 6:00pm -- $10 e Outside Track • Feb 1 Musikanto 6 pm • Sat, 2/25, at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwau- Ryan Mauer & the Angry Fix 7 p.m. kee, at 7:30 PM– $19 in advance, $23 day of show • Feb 15 Thistle & the Thorns 6 p.m. The Shtetlblasters 7 p.m.

Cafe Carpe Jim Schwall All shows at 8:30pm unless indicated otherwise • Saturday, 2/12, Acorn Theater, Three Oaks MI – Siegel-Schwall • Sat, Feb. 5 -- Dorothy Scott -- $10 • Monday 2/14, Crystal Corner, 9:30 – Bar Time Lovers, no cover 18 S. Water St. • Fri, Feb. 11 -- Colin O’Brien -- $7.50 • Feb. 16 – 19 – Jim at Folk Alliance International, Memphis TN – playing showcases Ft. Atkinson, WI Friday, 10:50 PM and Saturday 2:40 PM. cafecarpe.com • Sat, Feb. 12 -- Garnet Rogers -- $15 advance 920-563-9391 • Thu, Feb. 17 -- Antje Duvekot -- $10 -- @ 8:00pm • Friday, 2/25, Wild Hog in the Woods, Wilmar Center, 8:00 – Jim solo. • Fri, Feb. 18 -- Casey Driessen & The Colorfools / The • Sunday, 2/27, Harmony Bar & Grill, 7:00 – Cajun Strangers. Tillers -- $15 advance • Monday, 2/28, Crystal Corner, 9:30 – Jim solo, no cover. • Sun, Feb. 20 -- Bill Staines -- $15 -- @ 7:00pm • Fri, Feb 25 -- Peggy James -- $7.50 • Sat, Feb. 26 -- Big Bang String Thing -- $10

High Noon Saloon Simply Folk on Wisconsin Public Radio w/ Stephanie Elkins,- • Tue. Feb. 1 -- The Dirty Shirts -- 6:30pm -- $4 -- 21+ Interim Host • Sat. Feb. 12 – Justin Townes Earle / Jessica Lea Mayfield Sun 5:00-8:00pm – 9:30pm -- $13adv. $15 d.o.s. Concerts recorded in Wisconsin, music and dance of people the world over. For playlists, calendars, station listings, and 701A E. Washington • Mon. Feb. 14 – Bobby Long – 8pm -- $12 wpr.org www.high-noon.com • Sun. Feb. 20 – Asylum Street Spankers – 8pm -- $18 more, visit www.wpr.org/simplyfolk. 608-268-1122 • Fri. Feb. 25 – Tret Fure (CD Release Party) – 6:30pm -- $15 WORT 89.9 FM community radio • Sun. Feb. 27 – Animals In Human Attire – 8:30pm -- $5 wort-fm.org Sun -- 3:00-5:00pm – 18+ • On the Horizon () w/Ford Blackwell, Paul Novak & Dan Talmo Brocach Irish Pub Weekdays 9:00am-noon Brocach Irish Pub • Mon - Global Revolutions (folk from the world over) 7 W. Main Street • Sundays - Live Irish Music at 5 PM; various artists Madison, WI w/ David & Martin Alvarado & Eugenia Highland • Tuesdays - Open Mic, 8:30 PM Upstairs; all performers brocach.com • Tue -- For the Sake of the Song (traditional American 608-255-2013 receive one complimentary folk) w/Jim Schwall draught beer • Wed -- Back to the Country ( on a • Wednesdays - Live Irish Music Session with Madison's theme) w/Bill Malone best Irish musicians, 8:30 PM • Thur -- Diaspora (folk and international) w/Terry O’ • 1st and 3rd ursday Nights - Live Bluegrass w/ The Old • Fri -- Mud Acres (bluegrass and acoustic) w/Chris Tin Can String Band, 9pm Powers • Fridays - Live Traditional Irish Music w/ The Currach, 5:30pm

Wild Hog in the Woods Weekly Friday night folk music in intimate setting Wil-Mar Center • Feb 4 -- Skip Jones 8 pm • African/African-American Dance classes with live drumming -- Sun, 7:00-9:00pm -- 953 Jenifer St. • Feb ll -- Clare Norelle 8 pm Metro Dance, 3009 University Ave. -- 255-3677 / 251-4311 wildhoginthewoods.org • Feb 18 -- Greg Boerner 8 pm 608-233-5687 • Cajun Dance -- Sun 02/27 - Dance Instruction at 6:20 PM, Dance 7:00 - 10:00 PM -- • Feb 25 -- Jim Schwall 8 pm Harmony Bar, 2210 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI - Cover $7 -- Music by The Cajun Strangers Band Stoughton Opera House Stoughton Opera House • English Country Dance taught -- 1st and 3rd Mon, 7:30-9:30pm -- Wil-Mar Center, 953 381 E. Main Street • Fri, Feb 11 -- Dan Newton’s Café Accordion Orchestra -- Stoughton, WI $20 -- @7:30pm Jenifer St. -- 238-9951 or 238-9951 stoughtonoperahouse.com • Sat, Feb l2 -- Bonnie Koloc -- $25 -- @7:30pm • International Dancing -- Wed and Sun; classes 7:30-8:30pm, request dancing 8:30- 608-877-4400 • Sat, Feb 26 -- Four Bitchin’ Babes - Hormonal Imbalance 11:00pm -- The Crossing, 1127 University Ave. -- 241-3655 -- $35 -- @7:30 pm • Irish Dancing -- Monthly Ceili and set dance events are posted at celticmadison.org/dance • Italian Dancing -- Tue, 7:00-9:00pm, no experience or partner necessary -- Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St. -- 838-9403 (Philana) • Madison Contra Dance Cooperative -- Tue; 7:30 jam band practice, intermedi-ate 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 Madison Ukulele Club -- Singalongs 1st and 3rd Weds 7:00-9:00pm -- call for • Ecstatic Dance -- Sat, 8:00pm -- The Center for Conscious Living -- 843-7740 location -- 246-8205 (Andrew) • Scottish Country Dancing -- Sun, 7:00pm -- Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St. -- 835-0914 Madison Folk Music Society Nonpro t Org P.O. Box 665, Madison, WI 53701 U.S. Postage Address Service Requested PAID ……………………………………………. Madison, WI Renew your membership today at

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