Wednesday folk traditions lineup 2020
June 10th
Tim Eriksen
Tim Eriksen, leader of the “shape-note” tradition, experimentalist and ethnomusicologist, performs traditional ballads from the Appalachians to the Pioneer Valley and original pieces that have been described as “magical realism in song.”
-“…a storyteller at heart, with a distinctive, unvarnished voice.” -Washington Post
Wednesday Folk Tradition, June 10—Tim Eriksen
For our first digital Wednesday folk performance, we bring you this hauntingly beautiful performance of ‘Hope’ by Tim Eriksen. This is an arrangement of a song written by Thomas Moore in 1816, originally published in his collection Sacred Songs and now found in various hymnals and compilations of religious melodies from the past couple of centuries. Eriksen discovered it in an 1848 tunebook, formerly belonging to Amelia Clark of Northampton (1850-1944), which he found at a flea market 30 years ago. In compilations, the song is referred to variously as ‘The Mourner’s Song,’ ‘Light in the Darkness,’ and, as it was originally published, ‘O Thou Who Dry’st The Mourner’s Tear’ (which is the first line of the song). Tim Eriksen’s rendition is entitled ‘Hope.’ Enjoy!
Other songs from Tim Eriksen include:
Every Sound Below, an original song that appeared in the film Behold The Earth
Aber Dojde Donke, a Macedonian folk song
Amazing Grace, a Christian hymn written by John Newton in 1772
For more of Tim Eriksen’s work, check out his website, bandcamp, and YouTube channel!
June 17th
Jose Gonzales and Criollo Clasico
Jose Gonzales and Criollo Clasico- contemporary rhythms of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic led by one of today’s foremost exponents of Caribbean music, acclaimed for his original compositions featuring the cuatro. “Full of rhythms, flowing melodies and masterly guitar playing.” – Union News
For more information, visit their Facebook Page.
Wednesday Folk Tradition, June 17— Jose Gonzalez and Criollo Clasico
This week for the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum's virtual Wednesday Folk Traditions we highlight Jose Gonzales and Criollo Clasico. Below they perform Paco at Presencia. The program is a bilingual (English/Spanish) production from public TV station WGBY. Featuring conversations about the Latino history, diversity, and traditions in western New England. With his two sons Ahmed Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez, they travel the world performing contemporary Latin music.
Other Performances from Jose Gonzales and Criollo Clasico:
British Invasion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn8eFArqbr8
Classical Gas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oryLmd3wc-0
New CD!- The Gonzalez-Ragazzi Project-"Fantasia del Sur" -selected among the Best Recordings of Puerto Rico for 2019!!- now available at: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thegonzalezragazziproject
June 24th
Zikina
Zikina - featuring Uganda native Gideon Ampeire, plays an exciting fusion of Ugandan folk music with contemporary influences. Ampeire draws you in with traditional East African vocals and instruments including enanga, adungu, and kalimba - all of which he builds himself. Mike Cardozo, Roston Kirk and Kade Parkin ensconce Gideon’s vocals within a sonic landscape that flows seamlessly from intense grooves to joyous dance beats to dreamy textures with Gideon’s vocals cutting powerfully through the fabric or floating lightly above.
For more information, visit Zikina's website.
Wednesday Folk Tradition, June 24— Zikina
“Zikina is a group of people who came from across continents and cultures to show that despite all the forces in the world that emphasize our differences, we can come together to make something beautiful and new. It doesn’t take long for this music to get you dancing, clapping along, connecting with the people around you, and savoring the beauty of the present moment.”
Enjoy Zikina’s full performance at the Porter Phelps Huntington Museum in 2018!
Check out another full performance- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l2Xxl2ZhwA&t=31s
Support our local artists and buy their music! http://zikinamusic.com/music
July 1st
Dave Mallett
Dave Mallett- “The Voice of New England” This troubadour singer-songwriter, whose “Garden Song” had become an American folk classic, reflects on the dramatic changes in contemporary American life. Folk poet Dave Mallett “continues to write thoughtful, potent songs about changing America – small town Main Street, relationships disintegrated or strengthened by distance and fast-moving times, the vast chasm between this nation’s poverty and wealth.” - Allana Nash, Stereo Review
For more information, visit Dave Mallett’s website.
Wednesday Folk Tradition, July 1st— Dave Mallett
In a career spanning four decades, he has recorded 17 albums, had several hundred covers of his songs, including the American folk classic Garden Song [Inch by Inch, Row by Row] and performed in clubs, concert halls and festivals across the US, Canada and Europe. He has appeared on numerous broadcasts, including National Public Radio’s A Prairie Home Companion. Known for his carefully written, poetic offerings, his body of work has provided material for an eclectic list of artists that includes Alison Krauss, Pete Seeger, Hal Ketchum, Emmylou Harris, John Denver and the Muppets.
Check out his video for “Girl from the North Country” and his youtube channel for more!
You can purchase music through his website at https://davidmallett.com/music/ .
Check out his classic “Garden Song” here.
July 8th
Pan Morigan
Pan Morigan- Songs from My Family Vocalist/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Pan Morigan brings original songs and interpretations of music from her family’s 16 countries of origin. From Ireland to France, Italy, Greece, China, Chile, Canada and beyond, Pan mixes myriad folk styles with Jazz and something ineffable, to create a meditation on immigration, work, longing, and home. Who are we, and who do we mean to be?
To listen, visit her website
July 15th
The Pangeans
The Pangeans, named for the Paleozoic/ Mesozoic era supercontinent, are a seven member world music ensemble performing original compositions based on traditional rhythms including Latin Jazz, Samba, Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Funk and Afro-Beat. "One of the Valley's favorite World Beat bands." - The Valley Advocate
For more information, visit their website.
Wednesday Folk Tradition, July 15th — The Pangeans
THE PANGEANS are a group of seven musicians performing Latin Jazz, Samba, Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Funk and Afro-Beat. The group performs original compositions based on traditional rhythms as well as compositions by Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand), Herbie Hancock, Fela Kuti and others. If you like to dance and/or listen to World Music, you'll love THE PANGEANS!
Check out their promo video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKlI3Oa9Fz4&feature=youtu.be
And consider purchasing music on their website! http://www.pangeans.com/
July 22nd
The Amherst Area Gospel Choir
Wednesday Folk Tradition- July 22nd- The Amherst Area Gospel Choir
Our 10th Horace Clarence Boyer Memorial Gospel Concert features The Amherst Area Gospel Choir who continue Boyer’s tradition of bringing gospel to all with a compilation of songs deriving from slave spirituals, African diaspora, Tommy Dorsey’s Big Band hits, Boyer’s original music, and contemporary pieces.
For more information, visit their webpage.
Remembering Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer. Boyer’s music and presence brought people together from all over the Connecticut River Valley. In addition to his musical pursuits, Boyer was a trailblazer in the academic study of African-American sacred music. His research culminated in his 1995 book, How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel. Check out this article for more information on his life and legacy!