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 folk club, 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 folk music, 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 terrific 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.