And the EBTG reissues begin

An Unlikely Pairing

"Folk Roots, New Routes" by Davy Graham and Shirley Collins is one of the cornerstones of the British folk movement, and I've only just recently managed to get a copy. Davy is THE major influence on Bert Jansch, Paul Simon, Donovan and many more in the burgeoning British folk scene of the '60s. Davy was a bit erratic, though, and fairly uninterested in the music business; Bert Jansch refined Davy's style and more importantly, kept playing and touring, so that he (Bert) is far better known, and probably a bigger influence on later generations of guitarists. Davy added jazz repertoire and other cultural influences (Moroccan, Indian) to folk guitar. Shirley Collins was one of the First Ladies of British folk, and "Folk Roots, New Routes" (released in 1964) influenced the Pentangles and the Fairports and the Steeleye Spans that came later. I had to get used to Shirley's voice. Many British women folkies have a high nasal pinched quality, but Shirley's tone is broad, doesn't hit the notes spot-on but in the general area. She reminds me of some British auntie after a few gin and tonics. The combination of Shirley and Davy shouldn't work but it does, admirably. Which brings me to more than 30 years and many miles away: "The Moon and the Banana Tree: New Guitar Music from Madagascar", released in 1996. No, the vocals (about half the album) don't sound anything like Shirley, and most times the guitar playing doesn't sound like Davy. But to my ears, there's a common theme of absorbing outside influences (mostly African, in this case) and reinterpreting a native folk music with a multicultural blend. And considering Davy's exotic travels, I wouldn't be surprised if he absorbed some of the Madagascar culture and reflected it in "Folk Roots, New Routes".

Where Did You Hear That? (Or: Oh Really? I Never Guessed You Work in a Library)

The Internet has certainly made it easier to discover new (or old) music, but I still rely on traditional channels: sometimes the radio, mostly reviews in the music press (Uncut and Mojo, primarily) and more often, music reference books (latest treasure trove is "The Great Folk Discography", Volumes 1 & 2 by Martin C Strong). Also very valuable: "1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die" by Tom Moon, the various Rough Guides {"Reggae: The Rough Guide" by Steve Barrow and Peter Dalton, and "The Rough Guide to Rock" -- though be prepared for a British bias -- they feature many third-tier Brit bands you've -- rightly -- never heard of.)
Recently, I've enjoyed "The Best Music You've Never Heard" (another Rough Guide).

Umm, I sometimes refer to both the red and blue Rolling Stone guides, and the All Music Guide -- but they're really a last resort, mostly just repeating inaccurate information and third-hand reviews.

And I don't have a book source for jazz or classical. My son gave me "The Penguin Guide to Jazz", but do you really want a Brit to tell you about jazz? And classical music I just hunt and peck my way along. More about that later.

KSER at 90.7 is a life-saver. Sundays, there's the great double bill of Bluegrass Express at 11AM, followed by String Band Theory (traditional and acoustic music) at 1PM. Saturdays, I can usually listen to Juke Joint during my lunch break (show starts at 1PM) and then Dusties (R&B from the '40s through the '70s) on the way home from 5-7. This last Saturday, I had to drive to Coupeville for a family dinner, so I listened to Dusties all the way, and now I'm on the trail of late seventies funk bands like Mandrill and Cymande. These groups fall through the cracks of most music history complilations; listening to some of these shows, it's like there's an alternate universe of music, a whole parallel dimension outside the playlists we grew up with.

KING is our best classical choice, since CBC decided that kids these days don't listen to classical music unless it "rocks their world". Really? Is your market research department that lame? I try to listen to "Deep Roots" on Friday or Saturday, but there's a LOT of repeats, and TOM POWER repeats his name 45 times each hour!! KILL ME NOW!!!

Sorry. Back to KING. Great on-air talent, essential programs ("Northwest Focus" plays music to be performed locally. My heart leaps with hopeful anticipation.)

We have access to hundreds, if not thousands, of years of music. What's the point of sticking to some current commercially-driven pink slime when there are other worlds to discover? (Wait a minute, didn't Captain Kirk already say that?) Oh hell, I admit it; my credo is also from Star Trek, courtesy Jean Luc Picard: "Let's see what's out there!"