Volume 43 No. 11 November 2017

Si Kahn Returns to Madison for Benefit Concert Legendary folk musician and community or- personal and powerful. He was featured in ganizer Si Kahn is returning to Madison this the 1987 HBO special “Welcome Home Mad Folk Concert Tickets November for a special benefit concert on Ar- Concert.” When you see this symbol – ee mistice Day. Kahn will perform at the Barry- Will Williams and his wife Dot bring beautiful – you’ll know that you’re read- more Theatre on Saturday November 11th at gospel harmonies to the stage. Will is a reg- ing about a Mad Folk sponsored 7pm along with Vietnam veteran musicians ular participant in peace and justice events Jim Walktendonk and Will Williams, together in Madison, and was profiled in the 2009 event. Advance tickets for Mad documentary film “The Good Soldier.” Folk shows are available online “When I was a boy…all the people The Clarence Kailin Chapter 25 of Veterans at www.madfolk.org and at these of all the nations which had fought For Peace is named for the late Spanish Civ- outlets: in the First World War were silent il War vet whose life was a model for a gen- during the eleventh minute of the eration of activists in a variety of movements for peace, justice, and equality. Members will • Orange Tree Imports, 1721 Mon- eleventh hour of Armistice Day, be on hand to share information about their roe Street which was the eleventh day of the current projects. The Progressive magazine eleventh month. It was during that was founded by “Fighting Bob” La Follette in January 1909. It has continued since that • Spruce Tree Music, 851 East minute in nineteen hundred and day as a voice for peace, social justice, and Johnson eighteen, that millions upon mil- the common good. The print edition of the lions of human beings stopped magazine is published bi-monthly, with daily content appearing on the web at www.pro- Purchase tickets ONLINE for Mad butchering one another…Armistice gressive.org. Folk concerts via Brown Paper Day has become Veterans’ Day. This years benefit concert is built around the Tickets (with $1.62 service Armistice Day was sacred. Veter- theme, voiced by Veterans for Peace nation- ally, that November 11th should return to its charge): ans’ Day is not.” – Kurt Vonnegut, roots as a day for peace – calling for an end https://www.brownpapertickets. World War II veteran and author. to all wars as it did 99 years ago. com/producer/10879 with the Madison Gospelaires and Mad City “This year with a rise of hate and You can also purchase advance Funk band. The show, co-sponsored by the fear around the world it is as urgent tickets by mail. Send a stamped self- Clarence Kailin Chapter 25 of Veterans For as ever to ring the bells of peace. Peace and The Progressive magazine will addressed envelope with your check be a benefit for The Progressive celebrating We in the U.S. must press our payable to Mad Folk, PO Box 665, 108 years of publishing in Madison. David government to end reckless rheto- Madison, WI 53701. If all else fails, call Giffey, artist and former combat journalist will ric and military interventions that emcee the show. 608-846-9214 for information. Si Kahn has been a musician and organizer endanger the entire world. Instead for over 5o years, beginning as a volunteer of celebrating militarism, we want with the Student Nonviolent Coordinat- to celebrate peace and all of hu- ing Committee in Arkansas during the Civil Rights movement. He has continued to live manity.” –Veterans for Peace 2017 and work in the South, assisting in union action statement. struggles, working against the privatization of prisons, and most recently with “Musicians For more information, contact the Barrymore United,” a group working to protect the envi- at 608-241-8864 or The Progressive at 608- ronment in Bristol Bay, Alaska. He has also 257-4626. written numerous theater works including “Joe Hill’s Last Will,” which was performed in Madison by John McCutcheon in 2015.

Jim Walktendonk has lived and performed in the Madison area for decades. His songs, many influenced by his time in Vietnam and his exposure to Agent Orange defoliant, are House Concerts at Mike & Carol’s Seeking a new host By Mike Tuten for Tuesday morning

Carol and I moved into Arbor Hills in Novem- chords add a quiet melody to the songs that folk ber of 2003 and have been hosting over 40 Carolyn Carter writes and sings to share her WORT Radio show is very sad to be acts in our home since then. All of them fall mountain culture and life story with her audi- losing Peter Allen and all of his talents as under the Folk Music umbrella but as with all ence. You have just made a friend you hope he moves on to a new endeavor. With genres, There is great diversity among them. to keep for life! For more information on Carolyn go to http:// his departure WORT now has an open- Your first question may be What is a House carolyncarter.info/ ing for a volunteer morning host for our Concert? As the name implies, it is a concert Next we are hosting Tracy Jane Comer and indie/folk/acoustic/singer songwriter in someone’s home. Those coming experi- her group, Common Cord on Friday, Novem- show on Tuesdays from 9 am-noon. ence the performers in an intimate setting ber 17 with a show starting at 8; doors open- It is radio show that does well with a designed primarily for listening and sharing. ing at 7:30. The suggested donation is $10. All of the performers we have hosted tell us Tracy is joined by Michael Bryant, Bruce But- mix of traditional folk and singer-song- this format is their favorite because of the tel, Faye Bruggink and Delores Jenison. writers, but includes some of modern intimacy they have with the audience. This This concert came about as I chatted with young “indie” bands and artists blurring intimacy usually leads to shared insights to Tracy and Michael at a performance at the the lines between folk, rock and blues, their music that seldom if ever are shared in Brink Lounge where their music competed along with plenty of classic folk and more commercial venues. So, how does this with the general bar background noises. work? I felt their music need a quiet listening space roots music and bringing live bands to be fully appreciated so invited them to per- into the studio, is the kind of format that Carol and I advertise our events almost ex- form at our house. Here’s what they have to makes this show so great. No prior radio clusively by email and have a suggested do- say about their music: experience is necessary, just a knowl- nation listed for the event, all of which goes edge of and passion for the music, and to the performer(s). As the phrase suggests, “From folk to swing and lots in between!” this is a suggested donation amount. If this Common Chord was formed originally as a the availability to be here on Tuesday is a budget breaker, those coming are free duo in 2015 by singer/songwriters Michael mornings. to donate what they can afford. The primary Bryant and Tracy Jane Comer, and has now So if you, or if you know of anyone focus is on the music and all of our perform- grown to five regular performers, with the ad- who may be interested, you can have ers share this attitude. dition of Bruce Buttel (songwriter, guitar and them contact Sybil Augustine at WORT. vocals), Delores Jenison (backing vocals), In November we will hosting Carolyn Carter and Faye Bruggink (clarinet and bass). Add from Mountain View Arkansas and Madfolk in the instrumental skills of group founders David Greely and Madison’s own Tracy Jane Comer with Michael (guitar, bass, mandolin) and Tracy David Greely is a one of the best- her group Common Chord. (guitar, viola/violin, cello, bass, hammered known and most versatile Louisiana- Carolyn is making her third appearance in dulcimer, keys) plus their talents in arranging based Cajun fiddlers and vocalists. our basement performance space on Sun- and composition, and you get uniquely rich, Born in Baton Rouge of Cajun and day, November 5 with a show staring at 7; textured, and tasteful arrangements. Irish ancestry, David learned Cajun mu- doors opening at 6:30. The suggested dona- sic on dance hall stages throughout tion is $15. Common Chord’s repertoire includes origi- South Louisiana, in the archives of Ca- She grew up and began her career in the nals from each of three writers in the group jun and Creole music at the University Northern part of Ozark Hill country in North- (Michael, Tracy, and Bruce) plus unique cov- of Louisiana, and from his apprentice- eastern Arkansas. With ancestors from ers from the likes of Tom Waits, the Beatles, ship to Cajun fiddle master and Nation- Scotland and her paternal grandmother Robert Johnson, Cheryl Wheeler, and more, al Heritage Fellow Dewey Balfa. Cherokee, her ethnic background is simi- with flavors of folk, blues, swing, country, David teaches Cajun fiddle, lyrics lar to most of the Ozark mountain Natives. pop, and jazz. At a Common Chord show and vocals to students the world over The well known “Trail of Tears” runs through you’ll hear lead vocals traded around plus in workshops and music camps as well Stone County, AR, so much of the music lots of full harmonies, backed by guitars, vio- as by Skype. He will be doing just that and many of the stories are a blend of sto- la, clarinet, mandolin, bass, and sometimes in Madison, November 15 and 16! ries from immigrant settlers and pioneers to hammered dulcimer and cello (space permit- David will be appearing in a house Native Americans who lived in the area for ting). Their music has appeal to audiences concert on November 16 in Madison. centuries. of all ages. Their debut CD (self-titled) was The evening before, November 15, he released in January 2017 and was reviewed will be hold a Cajun fiddle workshop, While great bluegrass and mountain music in Mad Folk News in May of this year. followed by a Cajun song vocals work- is not rare to Stone County, the beautiful folk For more information go to www.common- shop. Contact information for reserv- lyrics and stories that intertwine with Carter’s chord.us ing a seat at the house concert and at- familiar voice( which is very reminiscent of tending the workshops is given on the the 1960’s and 1970’s when good folk music Send an email to [email protected] Refrigerator Cover. was bursting all over this country) is indeed if you want more information on these and a rare pleasure to hear . Her simple guitar future events at our home. Four Lost Souls - - 2017

Time Rock & Roll.” Everly Brothers “All I Have to Do is Dream” Of course that impressive cast wouldn’t and the trio’s vocals hold up to that high mean a thing if the record didn’t have that standard. In fact, everything about this swing, as they say. And the Four Lost Souls record seems slightly magical. Hopefully definitely deliver. The record opens with this line-up will turn out to be one of Lang- “Poor Valley Radio,” an interesting parallel ford’s enduring relationships, and not just to Langford’s own “Nashville Radio.” While a one night in Alabama stand. loneliness is a theme in both, instead of a cautionary tale of drugs, fame and excess, “Poor Valley” is about the mu- Mad Folk News is published monthly by the sic and the need to play it. As the la- dies humorously sing, “These songs Madison Folk Music Society, a non-profit, aren’t going to sing themselves.” The volunteer-led society dedicated to fostering luminous pedal steel comes courtesy folk music in the Madison area. Review by Kiki Schueler Welshman Jon Langford is a man of of Pete Finney, who’s played with ev- Contact us at [email protected] many bands, I could probably name ten eryone from Carl Perkins to Bonnie about concerts, membership, scholarships, without even thinking too hard, but his Prince Billy. The record continues its and volunteer opportunities at newest collaboration may be his most in- travelogue from Tennessee to Missis- www.madfolk.org. triguing yet. He began his music career in sippi along “The Natchez Trace,” a pro- www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-Folk- England with - part of the first pulsive and rollicking ride. Arriving “In Music-Society/34497984835 wave of Brit-punk bands, and contempo- Oxford Mississippi,” the three vocalists each take a turn on verses about a city raries with the Clash and the Sex Pistols. Madison Folk Music Society Board Unlike those bands, the Mekons still per- where “the past is always near.” Guitar form and record. Since moving to and pedal steel both shine on a shim- two decades ago, he has blended classic mery, subtle melody. Thomas wows DarleneBuhler...... President,Concerts, country, that most American of music, on the soulful “Mystery,” her only rival Advertising into his music. One of his longest running is the lonely pedal steel that carries 225-0710~ [email protected] outfits, the Waco Brothers, use an obvious the tune. PegMichel….…...... Treasurer Johnny Cash crush to drive their addictive Appropriately, “Halfway Home” 831-1876 ~ [email protected] marks the descent into the second alt-country tunes. On Four Lost Souls he Tracy Comer ...... Membership & Web Site shifts his attention to Alabama, specifi- half of the record in joyous style, mak- ing the most of McCormick’s piano. 729-4498 ~ [email protected] cally Muscle Shoals and its famous sound. NorbertWodke…...... …Secretary He brought three Chicagoans with him It’s the record’s most infectious tune, 836-8422 ~ [email protected] on this journey, guitarist John Syzmanski a cotton candy song that sticks with and a pair of stunning vocalists, Bethany you, its chorus bouncing around in DedeGoldberg...... Newsletter Thomas and Tawny Newsome. The latter your head pleasantly for hours. Lang- distribution sang on the last two Skull Orchard records, ford’s ever present, always charming 246-4332 ~ [email protected] while Thomas has appeared in numerous Welsh accent adds another layer to Neil Morris...... Newsletter theater productions across the country. the regret felt in “Fish Out of Water,” editor The record was produced by Norbert Put- “I should have stayed by the great 358-5855 ~ [email protected] lakes, not come down here to die, nam, who played with Elvis and Roy Orbi- Meg Skinner.………...... Scholarships son, and produced records for Joan Baez, out of my element in this desert, high and dry.” It’s followed by the propul- 238-6950 ~ [email protected] John Hiatt and the Flying Burrito Broth- Marli Johnson...... ers. The studio musicians featured on the sive “What’s My Name,” an incendiary 770-4643~ [email protected] record include bassist David Hood, father ode to Mohammed Ali. The intricate of the Drive By Truckers founder Patterson vocals do homage to the fighter who Ron Dennis …...... …...... ………. Hood, and one of the original Swampers floats like a butterfly and stings like a (608)228-5472 ~ [email protected] (the Muscle Shoals Sound studio house bee. “Snake behind Glass” pairs a lop- Kaia Fowler …...... …...... ………. band), and Randy McCormick who played ing trail ride melody to a puzzle of lyr- 920-728-3004 ~ [email protected] the iconic piano intro to Bob Seeger’s “Old ics. Record closer “Waste” hints at the

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 Nov 2017

• Fri, Nov 3, @7pm - Common Chord - Crossroads Coffeehouse, Cross Plains • Sat, Nov 4, @10am - Tracy Jane Comer - solo acoustic - Whad'ya Know? at a House of a Guy's Own, MadisonSaturday, November, 4, 2017 @ 4:00 pm - Common Chord - The Farm Sports Pub, Madison Brian Bowers • Thu, Nov 9, @6pm - Tracy Jane Comer with Alan Maslowski - Babe's, Madison • Fri, Nov 10, @7pm - Briana Patrice Trio - Brix 340, Waunakee Friday January 5th • Wed, Nov 15, @6pm - Briana Patrice Trio - Me & Julio, Fitchburg • Thu, Nov 16, @7pm - Briana Patrice Trio - The Brink Lounge, Madison • Fri, Dec 1, @7pm - Briana Patrice Trio - Brix 340, Waunakee Christine Lavin • Sat, Dec 16, @7pm - Common Chord - Chocolaterian Middleton, Middleton • Wed, Dec 20, @6pm - Briana Patrice Trio - Me & Julio, Fitchburg Friday January 12th • Thu, Dec 21, @7pm - Tracy Jane Comer & Friends - The Brink Lounge, Madison Tom Paxton and The DonJuans Sunday February 11th

Cosy Sheridan Old Time Jam Sunday March 11th Monthly - 3rd Sunday of every month, 4 to 6pm EVP West 3809 Mineral Point Road Coodinator: Al Wilson cell: 608-572-0634 Pat and Mary Ellen McCluskey [email protected] Invitation & Advance RSVP required. Madison Area Ukulele Initiative -- Singalongs 3rd Sunday 11am - 1:30pm For full details or to request an invitation, contact Jenny at [email protected] or 608-986-3760 - for location visit www.MAUImadison.com • Nov 12th @ 4pm (doors 3:30pm) Open the Door for Three - $20 Mike and Carol’s House Invitation & Advance RSVP required. For full details or to request an invitation, contact Mike at Simply Folk on Wisconsin Public Radio w/ Dan Robinson- , [email protected] Host • Nov 5th @ 7pm (doors 6:30) - Carolyn Carter - $15 Sun 5:00-8:00pm • Nov 17th @ 8pm (doors 7:30) - Common Chord - $10 Concerts recorded in Wisconsin, music and dance of people • Dec 10th @ 7pm (doors 6:30) - Bitter Sweet Christmas Band - $15 wpr.org the world over. For playlists, calendars, station listings, and more, visit www.wpr.org/simplyfolk. Dave & Anne Host Folk community radio Invitation & Advance RSVP required. WORT 89.9 FM Sun -- 3:00-5:00pm For full details or to request an invitation, contact Dave & Anne at wort-fm.org • “On the Horizon” w/ Ford Blackwell, Paul Novak, [email protected] - 608-256-2958 Gloria Hays & Helena White • Nov 17th @ 7:30 pm (doors at 7) Claudia Schmidt - $20 / $17 under 18 Weekdays 9:00am-noon • Mon - Global Revolutions (folk from the world over) Carrie Newcommer, Parker J. Palmer and Gary Walters w/ Dan Talmo & Martin Alvarado First United Methodist, 203 Wisconsin Ave. Madison • Tue -- One Fine Morning w/ P.C. Allen • August 19, 20, 21, -- Wild West Days -- 25 Nelson Parkway, VIroqua WI • Nov 10th @ 7:30pm (doors at 7) - $30 adv / $35 d.o.s. • Wed -- Back to the Country (country music on a www.thewildwestdays.com theme) w/Bill Malone The Holden Home • Thur -- Diaspora (folk and international) w/Terry O’ Invitation & Advance RSVP required. • Fri -- Mud Acres (bluegrass and acoustic) w/Chris For full details or to request an invitation, contact Karen Holden at Powers [email protected] - 608-238-6039 WMUU 102.9 FM • Nov 16th @ 7:30pm (doors at 7) David Greely - $15 • Sat - Exiles Return with Elizabeth Delaquess - 4-6am and again from 10am-noon

Cafe Carpe All shows at 8:30pm unless indicated otherwise. • African/African-American Dance classes with live drumming -- Sun, 7:00-9:00pm -- Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve. Metro Dance, 3009 University Ave. -- 255-3677 / 251-4311 18 S. Water St. • Fri, Nov 3rd, Patric Ball - $18 Ft. Atkinson, WI cafecarpe.com • Sat, Nov 4th, Richard Shindell - $22.50 • SpiritMoves Ecstatic Dance 2nd and 4th Weds, 7:00-9:00 pm -- The Center for 920-563-9391 • Wed, Nov 8th, Irish Session - @7pm Conscious Living, 849 East Washington Ave. -- $7 min. donation • Thu, Nov 9th, The New Pioneers - $10 - @7pm • English Country Dance taught- - 1st, 3rd (and 5th) Mon7 :30-9:30pm -- Wil-Mar Center, • Fri, Nov 10th, Lost John & The Dusty Millers • Sat, Nov 11th, Bill Camplin Band - $12 953 Jenifer St. -- 238-9951 or 231-1040 • Fri, Nov 17th, Satchel Paige Welch & Kai Welch • International Dancing -- Wed ; classes 7:30-8:30pm, request dancing • Wed, Nov 22nd, Irish Session - @7pm 8:30-11:00pm -- The Crossing, 1127 University Ave. -- 241-3655 and Sun, 8-10pm • Fri, Nov 24th, Coyote Brother • Irish Dancing -- Monthly Ceili and set dance events are posted at • Sat, Nov 25th, Sam Llanas - $20 celticmadison.org/dance • Thu, Nov 30th, Song Circle w/ Tricia Alexander - $5 - @7pm • Italian Dancing -- Tue, 7:00-9:00pm, no experience or partner necessary -- 838-9403 (Philana) Folklore Village • Madison Contra Dance Cooperative -- Tue; 7:30 jam band practice, intermediate 3210 Cty Hwy BB level dancing 7:45-9:40pm -- $5 for non-members -- Gates of Heaven, 302 E. Gorham -- Dodgeville, WI • Sat, Nov 4th - Healthy Hoedown (Potluck @6pm - Dance @7:15) 238-3394 (Steve) folklorevillage.org • Tue, Nov 7th - Open Mic - @7pm • Morris Dancing -- Wed, 7:00pm -- call for location -- 238-9951 608-924-4000 • Sat, Nov 11th - Harvest Jam: Friends of Folklore Village Fall • Scottish Country Dancing -- Sun, 7:00pm -- Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St. -- 358-4478 Fundraiser • Israeli Folk Dancing - - Tues, 7:00pm -- Will-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St. Melissa Marver — [email protected] 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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