Volume 42 No. 3 March 2016
Michael Johnson Takes the Stage in Madison Fans of legendary singer-songwrit- to attend the Liceu Conservatory and Wild Sound Recording Studio. ers like James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, study with the classical guitar great Gra- Michael said, “It just seemed that all and John Denver will be delighted to ciano Tarragó. Not long after returning roads were leading me back to Minne- discover—or perhaps become reac- to the U.S., Michael joined Randy Sparks sota—signing with Red House, working quainted—with songwriter and bal- in a group called The New Society, tour- on the new album and most especially, ladeer Michael Johnson. If you do not ing East Asia. reconnecting with my daughter who immediately recall his name, you will re- In 1968, Michael started touring with lives here.” Michael adds, “And I’m just call his voice from some of his Billboard the Chad Mitchell Trio and began co- an old hippy, and I need to be up where Top 40 hits, including “Bluer Than Blue,” writing with John Denver, forming the my people are.” “This Night Won’t Last Forever” and “Al- trio Denver, Boise & Johnson. In the late Michael released his latest album, most Like Being in Love.” Michael is also 1960s he spent some time as an actor, Moonlit Déjà Vu, in October 2012. His a classically trained, masterful guitarist working in New York, Los Angeles, and once-long-lost daughter Truly Car- who is equally at home singing pop, Chicago. In the 1970s, Michael returned michael, a classically trained vocalist, country, or classics from the American to the music scene in a big way. He re- joined him in recording a poignant duet songbook. leased some of his biggest songs on the titled “One Mile Apart.” Born in Colorado and raised near Billboard charts and enjoyed equal suc- Michael has toured around the Denver, Michael began playing guitar cess in Nashville, recording #1 country world and shared the stage with a di- at age 13. He went to Colorado State songs with singers like Juice Newton verse range of entertainers, including College to study music but left after and Sylvia. He continued to write and Judy Collins, Bill Monroe, Vince Gill, winning an international talent contest perform throughout the 1980s and ‘90s. Cheryl Wheeler, Prudence Johnson, in 1964 that landed him a deal with Epic His songs have been recorded by such John Gorka, George Carlin, Trisha Year- Records. He then moved to Barcelona artists as Alison Krauss, Suzy Bogguss, wood, Andy Kaufman, and Jennifer Chet Atkins, and The Persuasions. Warnes. He has performed with classi- Always most at home on stage with cal symphonies, and toured with Clint just an acoustic guitar, Michael contin- Black, Wynonna Judd, and Alison Krauss ued to tour solo and played about half and the Union Station. He has even ap- his shows in Minnesota, where he lived peared on nationally syndicated televi- from 1969 to 1985. At a more recent sion shows, including The Tonight Show show in Minneapolis, he met up with with Jay Leno, Austin City Limits, and singer-songwriter John Gorka. Michael Entertainment Tonight. talked about wanting to return to his But Michael says he is a soloist at acoustic roots, and John connected him heart. He loves the intimacy and spon- with his manager and his St. Paul-based taneity of a live acoustic show. About label Red House Records. his shows, Michael says, “I like to talk to Red House president Eric Peltonie- people and I love to make them laugh. mi, who was very familiar with Michael’s And, of course, I have to move them work, was delighted to meet Michael with the music. That’s the whole thing. and hear his new material. “I was just Without that, there is no reason to be stunned at how great his new songs on stage.” were,” he says. “It thrilled me to hear a true artist still at the top of his game.” You can find more information Michael signed with Red House and about Michael Johnson on his website recorded his new songs at Minneapolis’ at www.mjblue.com. David Francey Concert Tuesday April 19 verse Skating Rink song quoted here David Francey was born in Scot- The music from the skating rink is a good example of the brilliant sim- land in 1954, moving with his family to Drifts across the town plicity of David Francey’s lyrics, and his Canada at age 12. He spent decades The stars of heaven high above melodies match perfectly the mood of his life as a carpenter and didn’t re- Forever looking down of this spare and beautiful imagery. In cord a song until he was in his mid for- I stand here looking upward, And I’m listening to the sound the liner notes, David says of the song, ties. Many of his songs portray aspects Of the village in the lonely heart of in part, “I live in a small village in Que- of the working-class life or of the gen- winter bec across the street from the skating eral Canadian experience, though he rink... From my house I can hear the also has written songs like “Fourth of So writes and sings Canada’s David thin music from the loudspeakers, the July,” a political song about the post- Francey, one of the most delightful sound of hockey being played, the cut 9/11 USA, and “Wishing Well” about songwriters on the folk music scene of steel on ice, the thud and boom of the execution of Timothy McVeigh. today. This is the first verse of the title the puck on the boards...” No matter what the subject, David’s song from his 2003 CD, Skating Rink, songs are simple but interesting, both The sky above the skating rink which won the 2003 Penguin Eggs melodically and lyrically, and are cap- The blackened weight of space Magazine’s Album of the Year prize, tivating because of their specificity. It Falls endless on the frozen world isn’t surprising to learn, therefore, that then went on to win a 2004 Juno Upon the saving grace among his musical heroes are Joni Award, which is Canada’s foremost Of the lights around the skating rink music award, presented annually by Laughing in the face mitchell, the Beatles, and John Prine, the Canadian Academy of Recording Of the darkness at the lonely heart of all masters at writing melodically and Arts and Sciences. This was Francey’s winter lyrically interesting songs. third album, his second album (Far Onstage, Francey is a treasure, with End of Summer) having already won a The astonishing visual quality of a calm, humble, but worldly wise de- Juno Award and Penguin Eggs Maga- these lyrics is common to David’s meanor. His singing and playing are zine Album of the Year prize. He has songs. It isn’t surprising to learn that as refreshingly spare as his writing. now taken home a total of three Juno he is a gifted visual artist, with his David’s stories could have provided awards, a prestigious SOCAN Folk Mu- beautifully moody paintings offered him with a fine stage career on their sic Award as well as taking home the for sale on his website. His songs and own. A night with Francey’s music is Grand Prize in both the International his paintings are grounded in every- a good reminder that we are all in this Acoustic Music Award and in the Folk day experience, be it positive or nega- together, right down to the ice rink category for the John Lennon Song- tive. In his music, Francey’s use of the nights and broken ice machines. writing Award. specific details of everyday life pull the There will be an opening set by Joe listener into the very center of the fa- Crookston. The lights above the skating rink miliar but somehow ghostlike picture, Illuminate the scene Details: as in his haunting “Cheap Motel” song: Apr. 19 (Tue), 2016, 7:00 pm (Doors at 6:30 pm). And on the snow the shadows show The Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washington Ave. Footsteps where we’ve been It’s concrete wall and concrete walks Madison, WI 53701, phone 608-661-8599 And Danny’s breath hangs motionless Concrete halls and concrete blocks Hovers like a dream In the cheap motel Please bring a non-perishable item for our lo- Above his head, in the lonely heart of cal food pantry winter The girl at the desk, she’s learning guitar Tickets $16 in advance $18 day of show Watching the faces, counting the cars
All these awards and accolades In the cheap motel... Available at Orange Tree Imports, 1721 Mon- -- and there are countless more -- are ...The Ice machine, she’s broken down roe Street, Madison, or Spruce Tree Music, 851 totally deserved, honoring the gentle And we’re stuck out here on the edge East Johnson, Madison, or ONLINE at Brown artistry and genius of this man’s per- of town Paper Tickets: http://davidfrancey2016.bpt. formance and writing. The three- In the cheap motel... me/
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 Mary Lou Lord - backstreet angels mary lou lord ~ 2015 intriguing counterpoint to Williams’ Run that I’m On” is a gauzy confec- anguished one. Her interpretation of tion of lap steel and loops, a song Beat Happening’s “Cry for a Shadow,” that sounds familiar and brand new from 1991’s Dreamy, is a welcome in turn. Saloman’s “You Can Count on one, turning their pointedly lo-fi, Me” has a similar effect—lyrics like “I willfully primitive song into a sweet never turned my back on you; I kept ballad, beautifully filled out with just the secrets that you asked me to. No acoustic guitars and voice. A pair of I’m no catch, but you can count on tunes from the Seattle-based Green me” ring with honesty. Pajamas fall on the same narrow time So, you ask, which is it, timeless or line—“She’s Still Bewitching Me” cir- time capsule? I’ve decided it doesn’t ca 1999 (which Lord also recorded matter. It’s a great record with great Review by Kiki Schueler for Live City Sounds in 2000) and the songs. Welcome back, Mary Lou. I had picked up a copy of the Best haunting “She Turns Me On” from of 2015 at B Side Records on State 2006. From the same era comes Street and was surprised to see a “By the Time My Head Gets to Mad Folk News is published monthly by the Mary Lou Lord record on owner Phoenix” by the shamefully un- Madison Folk Music Society, a non-profit, Steve Manley’s list. Even though derappreciated Peter Bruntnell. volunteer-led society dedicated to fostering I was a big fan in the late 90s and It’s hard to go wrong with his folk music in the Madison area. early 2000s, I can be forgiven for not clever tale told from the point of Contact us at [email protected] keeping up on Lord’s musical ca- view of Ted Williams’ cryogeni- about concerts, membership, scholarships, reer because it had ceased to exist. cally frozen head. Last piece of and volunteer opportunities at Prior to the new Backstreet Angels, evidence, Paul Westerberg’s “It’s www.madfolk.org. her most recent release was 2004’s a Wonderful Lie” (1999, again). www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-Folk- Baby Blue. Shortly after that record Absolutely none of the songs Music-Society/34497984835 she announced she suffered from sound dated, and every version spasmodic dysphonia, a vocal cord on this record is worthy. But it Madison Folk Music Society Board disorder. And although a decade has feels like she decided to pick up where she left off, the last ten passed between releases, Angels fits DarleneBuhler...... President,Concerts, years be damned. seamlessly into her catalog, which Advertising It would be easy to close the suggests either her music is timeless 225-0710~ [email protected] case now, but that would mean or it’s stuck in the past. Her sweet PegMichel….…...... Treasurer ignoring the pair of songs from voice sounds just as youthful as it 831-1876 ~ [email protected] twentysomething Matt Mini- did then, despite the fact that she Tracy Comer ...... Membership & Web Site gell. The first, “Pipe Dreaming,” a turned fifty last year. Other things 729-4498 ~ [email protected] smart tune about knowing when remain the same, like her penchant NorbertWodke…...... …Secretary to leave town, is as perfectly suit- for cover songs, and the contribu- 836-8422 ~ [email protected] ed to Lord’s voice as any of the tion of the Bevis Frond’s Nick Salo- DedeGoldberg...... Newsletter tracks here. Minigell frequently man. Of the record’s sixteen tracks, distribution plays with Lord’s daughter Anna- only three were written by Lord, two 246-4332 ~ [email protected] belle Lord-Patey, and she takes by Saloman, the pair cowrote one, Neil Morris...... Newsletter over lead vocals on his hopeful and the rest are covers. editor tune “I Feel Better.” Only the hesi- Her choice of covers lends some 358-5855 ~ [email protected] tation of youth distinguishes her credence to the idea that she’s still Meg Skinner.………...... Scholarships voice from her mother’s backing living somewhere in the past. Re- 238-6950 ~ [email protected] vocals. It’s a gorgeous duet. And cord opener “Metal Firecracker” hails Marli Johnson...... then there are the new tracks from Lucinda Williams’ classic 1998 770-4643~ [email protected] from Lord and Saloman. Lord’s record Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. Ron Dennis …...... …...... ………. “Let’s Jet” is the can’t-sit-still Lord doesn’t reinvent the song, but 226-9472 ~ [email protected] her smooth, lighthearted vocal is an rocker of the bunch, while “The “a dazzling guitarist and wonderfully expressive singer” – Billboard
Saturday, March 26, 2016 7:00 pm THE BRINK LOUNGE, 701 E. Washington, Suite 105
Tickets $15 advance, $18 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. ...or sound (to me) like Beatles' songs: Ink, ink, a bottle of ink, The cork fell off and you stink. Charlie Chaplin went to France, Not because you're dirty © 2016 To teach the ladies the hula dance. Not because you're clean, Peter Berryman First on the heels, Just because you kiss the girls archived at louandpeter.com Then on the toes, Behind the magazine Jump Rope Rap Around and around and around you go. Salute to the Captain, ...and in a more romantic mood: Way back in the early 60s, I got Bow to the Queen, hooked on a children's rhyme book Touch the bottom of the submarine. The wind the wind the wind blows high my sister Mary owned. Among other It blows Mary through the sky goodies, it contained a collection of ...and, more sweetly: She is fair and she is pretty rhymes that kids recite as they jump She is the girl from the tin can city rope. I remembered the name of the Down by the riverside green grass grows She can play the piano, 1 2 3 book to be "Rhymbles" and Googled Where someone walks, some tiptoe. Mary, Mary, who is she? for it, to no avail. Recently Mary She sings oh, she sings so sweet, Johnny, Johnny says he loves her. mentioned the book in an email, but She calls to someone across the street Off they go with a kiss, kiss, kiss. spelled it "Rimbles." I had been Tea cakes pancakes everything you see He took her to the courtyard, spelling it wrong! That's why I couldn't Meet me at the park at half past three. Asked her, Will you marry me? find it. I see it now available here and Yes no maybe so, yes no maybe so. there as a used book: Rimbles, by Some are pure whimsy: Patricia Evans. This one explains you can't buy love: I know something but I won't tell So I found the book, but I also was Three little monkeys in a peanut shell Johnny gave me apples, motivated to look around the web for One can read and one can dance Johnny gave me pears. other examples of jump-rope rhymes, One has a hole in the seat of his pants Johnny gave me fifty cents and they are everywhere, by the To kiss him on the stairs. hundreds. In schoolyards and Some are established enough to have I gave him back his apples, sidewalks I'm sure there are their own Wikipedia entry, like Miss I gave him back his pears. thousands, and new ones born by the Lucy Had a Baby: I gave him back his fifty cents bazillions every summer. And kicked him down the stairs. Miss Lucy had a baby Some are old, with versions going She called him Tiny Tim This one adds the always popular back to at least the 1700s, like Peas She put him in the bathtub themes of sickness and death: Porridge Hot, that most everyone has To see if he could swim probably heard: He drank up all the water Last night, night before, my boyfriend He ate up all the soap Took me to the candy store Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold He tried to eat the bathtub He bought me ice cream Pease porridge in the pot, nine days old But it wouldn't go down his throat He bought me cake Some like it hot, some like it cold, Miss Lucy called the doctor He brought me home with a belly ache Some like it in the pot, nine days old Miss Lucy called the nurse Mamma, mamma, I feel sick Miss Lucy called the lady Call the doctor quick, quick quick Then there are newer ones, some With the alligator purse Doctor, Doctor will I die? developed by kids having fun In came the doctor Close your eyes and count to 5 interpreting grownup situations: In came the nurse In came the lady And some, though surprisingly few, Had a little sportscar 248 With the alligator purse are about childhood itself: Took it round the corner 'Mumps' said the doctor And slammed it on the brakes 'Measles' said the nurse First grade babies Bumped into a lady, bumped into a man 'Nothing' said the lady Second grade tots Bumped into a policeman, man oh man With the alligator purse Third grade angels Policeman caught me Put me in jail Fourth grade snots All I had was ginger ale Some are mysterious: Fifth grade peaches Sixth grade plums These new kid creations are often I like coffee, I like tea Seventh grade ladies downright surreal: I like sitting on Bobby's knee Eighth grade bums! Salute to the king Three, six, nine, the goose drank wine, And bow to the queen To me, these are great examples of The monkey chewed tobacco And turn your back how writing in rhyme can be silly fun, On the Street car line On the gypsy queen and speaking as a writer, that is easy The lion choked, the monkey croaked, to forget. I should write myself a note. And they all went to heaven Many of them hint at sexuality: On the way to heaven in a little row boat. In a little row boat WZ, March 2016 March 2015
• Common Chord (Michael Bryan, Tracy Jane Comer, and Friends - Friday, Michael Johnson March 11th -- 701 E Washington, Madison -- 8pm -- $5 donation Saturday March 26th The Brink Lounge 701 E. Washington Ave. Ste 105 • Loreto Ridge Concerts - March 31 at 7 pm (doors 6:30 pm) - Old Blind 608-661-8599 Dogs - Invitation and advance RSVP required. For full details or to request an invitation use the "Contact Us" page at www.McCluskeyBros.com David Francey Tuesday April 19th The Brink Lounge 701 E. Washington Ave. Ste 105 608-661-8599
Folklore Village Old Time Jam 3210 Cty Hwy BB Monthly - 3rd Sunday of every month, 4 to 6pm Dodgeville, WI • Tue, Mar 1 -- Open Mic @7pm folklorevillage.org • Sat, Mar 5 -- Healthy Hoe-Down Dance w/ Ducks in a Row Farm, EVP West 3809 Mineral Point Road 608-924-4000 caller Steve Pike & A Rare Privilege @6:30pm Coodinator: Al Wilson • Mar 18-20th -- Spring Swedish Music & Dance w/ Karin Hansen & cell: 608-572-0634 Ellge Jakobsson and Christer & Kristina Samuelsson [email protected]
Cafe Carpe Madison Ukulele Club-- Singalongs 1st and 3rd Weds 7:00-9:00pm All shows at 8:30pm unless indicated otherwise - call for location- 246-8205 (Andrew) • Sat, Mar 5, Bill Camplin Band - $10 18 S. Water St. • Thu, Mar 10, New Pioneers - @7pm - $10 Cajun jams are on hold until a new location is found. Email Ft. Atkinson, WI cafecarpe.com • Thu, Mar 17, Round Robin Song Circle www.prairiebayoucajun.com with suggestions. 920-563-9391 w/ Tricia Alexander - @7pm - $5 Call Karen at 608-238-6039 for more info. www.prairiebayoucajun.com • Fri, Mar 18, Jill & The Jax / Three Thin Dimes - $7 • Sat, Mar 19, The Briar Pickers - $12 • Fri, Mar 25, Ernie Hendrickson - $8 • Sat, Mar 26, Lonesome Bill Camplin - $8
Mother Fool’s Mother Fool’s Simply Folk on Wisconsin Public Radio w/ Stephanie Elkins- , Co eehouse • Sat, Mar 19, A Kin - 8pm - $6 1101 Williamson St. Host motherfools.com Sun 5:00-8:00pm 608-259-1030 Concerts recorded in Wisconsin, music and dance of people wpr.org the world over. For playlists, calendars, station listings, and more, visit www.wpr.org/simplyfolk. Irish Cultural & Heritage Center All Shows are $10 Advance and day of show w/ Student ID 2133 W Wisconsin Ave • Fri, Mar 18 - We Banjo 3 - 7:30pm -- $25 adv/$28d.o.s. WOR FM community radio Milwaukee, WI -- ichc.net T 89.9 • Sat, April 2 - Old Blind Dogs - 7:30pm -- $21 adv/$25d.o.s. Sun -- 3:00-5:00pm 414-345-8800 wort-fm.org • Wed, April 20 - David Francey - 7:30pm -- $18 • “On the Horizon” w/ Ford Blackwell, Paul Novak, Gloria Hays & Helena White Weekdays 9:00am-noon Stoughton Opera House • Fri, March 4, Beau Soleil avec Michael Doucet - 7:30pm - $30 • Mon - Global Revolutions (folk from the world over) 381 E. Main Street • Sat, March 19, Count This Penny - 7:30pm - $20 w/ Dan Talmo & Martin Alvarado Stoughton, WI • Tue -- One Fine Morning w/ P.C. Allen stoughtonoperahouse.com 608-877-4400 • 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
Dave & Anne Host Folk Invitation & Advance RSVP required. For full details or to request an invitation, contact Dave & Anne at • African/African-American Dance classes with live drumming -- Sun, 7:00-9:00pm -- [email protected] Metro Dance, 3009 University Ave. -- 255-3677 / 251-4311 • April 3rd @ 7 pm (doors at 6:30) Ellis Paul - $20 / $17 under 18 • 2nd and 4th Weds, 7:00-9:00 pm -- The Center for • May 20th @ 7:30 pm (doors at 7) Harpeth Rising - $20 / $17 under 18 SpiritMoves Ecstatic Dance Conscious Living, 849 East Washington Ave. -- $7 min. donation • English Country Dance taught -- 1st and 3rd Mon, 7:30-9:30pm -- Wil-Mar Center, Kiki’s Righteous House of Music 953 Jenifer St. -- 238-9951 or 238-9951 Invitation & Advance RSVP required. • International Dancing -- Wed and Sun; classes 7:30-8:30pm, request dancing For full details or to request an invitation, contact Kiki at 8:30-11:00pm -- The Crossing, 1127 University Ave. -- 241-3655 [email protected] • Irish Dancing -- Monthly Ceili and set dance events are posted at • March 12th @ 9 pm (doors at 8) Dressy Bessy / German Art Students -- $10 celticmadison.org/dance • March 31st @ 8 pm (doors at 7) Chris Mills & the Distant Stars / Gerald Dowd -- $10 • Italian Dancing -- Tue, 7:00-9:00pm, no experience or partner necessary -- Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St. -- 838-9403 (Philana) The Home of Mike & Carol • Madison Contra Dance Cooperative -- Tue; 7:30 jam band practice, intermediate Invitation & Advance RSVP required. level dancing 7:45-9:40pm -- $5 for non-members -- Gates of Heaven, 302 E. Gorham -- For full details or to request an invitation, contact Mike at 238-3394 (Steve) [email protected] • Morris Dancing -- Wed, 7:00pm -- call for location -- 238-9951 • April 7th @ 7:30 pm (doors at 7) Charlie King w/ Martha Leader • Scottish Country Dancing -- Sun, 7:00pm -- Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St. -- 233-2956 • April 27th @ 7:30 pm (doors at 7) Katie McNally w/ Neal Perlman & Madison’s Schauncey Ali 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 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-Folk-Music-Society/34497984835 Madison Folk Music Society
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Send your check, payable to MFMS to: Mad Folk c/o- Tracy Comer, P.O. Box 930446 Verona, WI 53593-0446 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 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-Folk-Music-Society/34497984835 Madison Folk Music Society
join renew
Name Address City/State Zip Phone Email
Choose membership category: - Senior / Student $10 Regular $12 Family $15 Friend $25 Contributing $50
Life $500 Scholorship fund donation (optional) $ - Total $
GOING GREEN - Send my newsletters electronically by email
Send your check, payable to MFMS to: Mad Folk c/o- Tracy Comer, P.O. Box 930446 Verona, WI 53593-0446