As always Newport Folk Festival has been a constant on the summer music scene since 1959! As 19 years my senior, I've always been aware of it, but never knew of it. When I was much younger, I had a vision of rich folk in fancy hats and dresses, and something to do with cigarettes. As I got older, I really forgot about the festival entirely, as my music tastes were mainly in alternative, but more in a Lollapalooza or even an Ozzfest vein. However, it came back into focus for me two years ago within one of my favorite podcasts: NPR: Live Concerts from All Songs Considered Podcast. From the 2009 version, there were available podcasts of full concerts for Iron & Wine, Neko Case & the Low Anthem .
Whether looking for quieter music to listen to without disturbing my young child, or just looking for more quality in my music, I had fallen deep for the Folk Festival sound. It's not that Folk hasn't been cool as "it" was when Newport was younger, but some maturity was needed to realize"it" has always been cool. As mentioned last week when reviewing the Mumford & Sons show in Columbia, Md (see #7 Real Music LIVES!!), there has been a resurgence of quality in music. Pick any recent band, and there is a great chance of real musicians and numerous instruments. If not there is a great chance that real harmonies are focal (Fleet Foxes, Local Natives, etc). Pump organ/Harmoniums, Accordion, Banjo, Violin/Mandolin, Ukelele, Clarinet, they're all in view in 2011's music scene!
What to expect?
Newport Folk Festival is the premier 2 day showcase of the broad Folk sound for 2011. The lineup is not as diverse as say Lollapalooza, but very versatile in a full range of folk kind of a way. There are three tiers from what I have discerned. First, there are the legends. Next: All-Stars, and of course the Future Stars.
Now I am most interested in the All-Stars, but it is the Legends that makes this so intriguing. Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, & Elvis Costello are obvious names there, to many a music fan. But it's the rest that are so provocative. First is Wanda Jackson
the "Queen/1st Lady of Rockabilly" who's recent work with Jack White has brought her back to the spotlight. Ramblin Jack Elliot, of 50's & 60's fame! Earl Scruggs, who has a banjo style named after him "Scruggs Style" of course! Finally, Mavis Staples of R&B/Gospel Fame+ Civil Rights Activist background! Simply amazing! I haven't seen of a festival this year with such low-key depth! Sure you could argue that many of the festivals with Bela Fleck and other legends have the depth as well, but the familiarity is there. Reaching out to past legends who aren't as popular is the is a strength here for Newport Folk Festival.
The next tier is the All-Stars. My expected highlight is the Decemberists. Their themed albums have gained in popularity through the years. This year, they have a Neil Young influenced album with the King is Dead
. Tegan & Sara
, M. Ward
& Gogol Bordello round out a somewhat weak All-Star core. This could be a concern, but really how many folk power houses are there? I can only think of a handful of acts that would even be a fit or appropriate for this year, (Avett Brothers, Ani DiFranco, Eddie Vedder, or Ray Lamontange.)
The final tier is the Future Stars.. Despite some of these bands having been around for 5,6,7 or 8 years, it can be hard to make it big in this genre (Brown Bird, Amos Lee, Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three). On the otherhand, some of these bands are on the cusp of something big with just 1 or 2 years in (David Wax Museum, Civil Wars, Head & the Heart, and Carolina Chocolate Drops.) Either way, there is some real excitement to be apart of each of their ascension.
A majority of these future and current stars have material available for free download @ Daytrotter.com. I am having a blast getting to know these bands before the festival. In just a few short days since I've been diving into the preparations for this post, I have can't wait to hear more Devil Makes Three
, Freelance Whales, or Chris Thile & Michael Daves
.
Chris Thile & Michael Dave featured on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert
'Generator^Second Floor' by the Freelance Whales
Whether looking for quieter music to listen to without disturbing my young child, or just looking for more quality in my music, I had fallen deep for the Folk Festival sound. It's not that Folk hasn't been cool as "it" was when Newport was younger, but some maturity was needed to realize"it" has always been cool. As mentioned last week when reviewing the Mumford & Sons show in Columbia, Md (see #7 Real Music LIVES!!), there has been a resurgence of quality in music. Pick any recent band, and there is a great chance of real musicians and numerous instruments. If not there is a great chance that real harmonies are focal (Fleet Foxes, Local Natives, etc). Pump organ/Harmoniums, Accordion, Banjo, Violin/Mandolin, Ukelele, Clarinet, they're all in view in 2011's music scene!
What to expect?
Newport Folk Festival is the premier 2 day showcase of the broad Folk sound for 2011. The lineup is not as diverse as say Lollapalooza, but very versatile in a full range of folk kind of a way. There are three tiers from what I have discerned. First, there are the legends. Next: All-Stars, and of course the Future Stars.
Now I am most interested in the All-Stars, but it is the Legends that makes this so intriguing. Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, & Elvis Costello are obvious names there, to many a music fan. But it's the rest that are so provocative. First is Wanda Jackson the "Queen/1st Lady of Rockabilly" who's recent work with Jack White has brought her back to the spotlight. Ramblin Jack Elliot, of 50's & 60's fame! Earl Scruggs, who has a banjo style named after him "Scruggs Style" of course! Finally, Mavis Staples of R&B/Gospel Fame+ Civil Rights Activist background! Simply amazing! I haven't seen of a festival this year with such low-key depth! Sure you could argue that many of the festivals with Bela Fleck and other legends have the depth as well, but the familiarity is there. Reaching out to past legends who aren't as popular is the is a strength here for Newport Folk Festival.The next tier is the All-Stars. My expected highlight is the Decemberists. Their themed albums have gained in popularity through the years. This year, they have a Neil Young influenced album with the King is Dead. Tegan & Sara, M. Ward & Gogol Bordello round out a somewhat weak All-Star core. This could be a concern, but really how many folk power houses are there? I can only think of a handful of acts that would even be a fit or appropriate for this year, (Avett Brothers, Ani DiFranco, Eddie Vedder, or Ray Lamontange.)The final tier is the Future Stars.. Despite some of these bands having been around for 5,6,7 or 8 years, it can be hard to make it big in this genre (Brown Bird, Amos Lee, Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three). On the otherhand, some of these bands are on the cusp of something big with just 1 or 2 years in (David Wax Museum, Civil Wars, Head & the Heart, and Carolina Chocolate Drops.) Either way, there is some real excitement to be apart of each of their ascension.A majority of these future and current stars have material available for free download @ Daytrotter.com. I am having a blast getting to know these bands before the festival. In just a few short days since I've been diving into the preparations for this post, I have can't wait to hear more Devil Makes Three
, Freelance Whales, or Chris Thile & Michael Daves.Chris Thile & Michael Dave featured on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert
'Generator^Second Floor' by the Freelance Whales
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