More Lampoon than Spoof

A Mighty Wind

I never tire of this film, it is so funny. All the characters equate to people I know! (Not me, of course.) Some of the dialogue is painfull - in the most realistic and delightful way. Every folk band or artist you ever knew is represented here, especially those of us who are a bit longer in the tooth and constantly harp on about the good ol' days. Even if you've seen the movie it's worth getting the dvd for all the extra scenes that didn't go into the movie. Hard to believe these are the same boys from This is Spinal Tap.

For those that have not seen this brilliant Christopher Guest 'mockumentary', it goes like this: When folk icon Irving Steinbloom passed away, he left behind a legacy of music and a family of performers he has shepherded to folk stardom. To celebrate a life spent submerged in folk, Irving's loving son Jonathan has decided to put together a memorial concert featuring some of Steinbloom's best-loved musicians. There's Mitch and Mickey, who were the epitome of young love until their partnership was torn apart by heartbreak; classic troubadours The Folksmen, whose records were endlessly entertaining for anyone able to punch a hole in the center to play them; and The New Main Street Singers, the most meticulously color-coordinated neuftet ever to hit an amusement park. Now for one night only in New York City's Town Hall, these three groups will reunite and gather together to celebrate the music that almost made them famous.

Recently Heard

If you haven't heard Uncle Earl yet, it's time you did. This female quartet of astounding pickers and singers, including the indefatigable Abigail Washburn, have revitalised old-time (pre-bluegrass) American string band music. They give an original, contemporary edge to this traditional American music style and more. The fiddle-playing and clawhammer banjo are sublime and their harmonies are soft, stark and lonesome. This is their second album and it has received huge acclaim. Get it.

On my list of "must-gets" is Lucinda Williams new album "West" purely on the strength of hearing one track "Are you Alright?" It's chilling. Also the latest Dirty Linen features an article on the Mediæval Bæbes, at least I think there's an article - I can't get past the pictures. So I'll have to one or more of their eight albums - or maybe just splash out on their live DVD.

The young Swedish saxophonist, Hanna Wiskari has sent me a copy of her band's album. The band is Habbadám (guitar, fiddle, sax) and the album is Bornholmsk Folkemusik (Traditional music of Bornholm) www.habbadam.dk. It's been on continuous play in my car for weeks and I'm not tired of it yet. Very sweet.

Other DVDs

Books and Mags

I've subscribed to Dirty Linen for several years now, it's a mine of information, especially for albums and publications. There's a yellow pages section with gigs all around America (not particularly usefull) and festivals all around the world (very usefull - especially if you run one). I've never been much of a fan of Folk Roots - or froots as it calls itself now but my objections to it may be largely historical. I'll have another look.

Several books have been recommended to me lately: "In Search of the Craic: One Man's Pub Crawl Through Irish Music" by Colin Irwin being the most notable. From the Amazon site: "There's nothing quite like hearing Irish music in Ireland. Not in big concert halls or grand arenas, or even the popular taverns on the tourist route, but in the small pubs in remote areas where the locals habitually gravitate for those informal sessions universally known as the Craic. After 25 years visiting Ireland both as a music writer and a tourist, Colin Irwin goes in search of the craic. He talks to some of the leading Irish musicians about their experiences and they direct him to places where the craic is mightiest. This is the story of his journey into Ireland's musical soul. But Ireland, being Ireland, nothing ever goes quite according to plan..."

Making Master Guitars

A clear and concise reference book with measurements, techniques and materials guides. Ideal for the aspiring luthier or a general referance manual for anyone intetrested in classical guitar construction. Unlike steel string guitars, where a few models dominate and look quite different, (eg Gibson vs. dreadnaught Martin) classical guitars all look similar but vary a lot internally and in construction. Many of the great artists of the steel string guitar play factory models, for a variety of reasons. Top classical guitarists largely play models that originated in small shops with one or a few craftsmen. For these reasons anyone who wants to make a study of building classical guitars will find this eclectic group of guitars very important.

Mike Moroney, April 2007.