Monday, January 22, 2007

Big Bear Fan on a little scooter

That's Oak Park's own Mike Baldwin on that manly vehicle. Go, Mike, go!

Friday, January 19, 2007

Goin' Down Slow (Blues)

I recognize Norman Blake, Sam Bush, Tut Taylor and Vassar Clements (that's Mike Compton singing and picking the tenor guitar). The guy who posted this on YouTube provides complete credits. It's from a 11/18/2000 concert featuring a reunion of John Hartford's Aero-Plain Band. A DVD of the complete concert is available from Tut Taylor's Web site at http://webpages.charter.net/tutbro/. Who says bluegrassers can't play the blues?!?!

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Good news for music lovers who kept their vinyl LP collection - Yahoo! News

http://www.ion-dj.com/prodimages/iTTCD10.jpg
Good news for music lovers who kept their vinyl LP collection - Yahoo! News: "A lot of music lovers have stashes of vinyl LPs that may be forgotten in the iPod era. Now Ion Audio has a simple way to convert those albums to digital files that can be listened to in iPods and other MP3 players. Its USB Turntable/CD player connects to your PC and records the albums as they play.

The turntable (model iTTCD10, due in June for $399) works like a standard turntable. And you can listen as the album is transferred to the PC. "

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Orrin Star - Whiskey Before Breakfast Lesson

Online video is a fabulous source of lessons (beyond performance clips). Here's a six minute long deconstruction of "Whiskey Before Breakfast" that clarifies every constituent part.

Norman Blake - Nashville Blues

Here's a wonderful look at what is now "vintage" Norman Blake. The fluidity of his lead lines gives the impression of effortlessness and simplicity. Of course, once you try this yourself you get a hearty helping of humble pie. It's wonderful to see Nancy Blake picking the bass line on her cello; in fact, this trio instrumentation is among my personal favorites.

Doc Watson - Deep River Blues

Amazing finger picking technique from one of the all-time greats, Arthel "Doc" Watson. The camera hangs on Doc's left hand a good long time so you can pick up some of the passing chords in the changes. Then it pans to his right hand whence you can clearly see he's mostly using his index finger to picking the melody line. Pure Travis picking technique at its best!

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

[ The Return of a Native Son ]

David Bromberg Band
with special guests The Angel Band
$35, $33 Old Town School members, $31 kids and seniors
Saturday, January 20 at 7:00 & 10:00 pm at The Old Town School of Folk Music Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.

The great Chicago blues/folk/roots guitarist David Bromberg skipped town for the chance to operate his own community arts center in Wilmington, Delaware. And he rarely returns to the Windy City. So take this opportunity to see this long-struggling, now-thriving artist in the friendliest confines of The Old Town School.


Trad Fest 3 - Old Time Stringband Weekend: Concert
Starring the Foghorn Stringband (pictured above), the Dirk Powell Band and the Clack Mountain Stringband
$25, $23 Old Town School members, $21 kids and seniors
Saturday, January 27 at 7:30 pm in the Old Town School of Folk Music Concert Hall, 4544 North Lincoln Avenue

Friday night, Jan 26th, is an open house at the OTSoFM with all pickers welcome. They're asking for folks to bring a dish for the pot luck. Members of all three bands will guest host jam sessions, etc.

Saturday afternoon, band members will host workshops then host a group jam session. The evening's grand finale is all three bands in concert. Get more info here.