Book Reviews - A Note of Explanation

During the past year,  I have been featuring increasing numbers of book reviews on my blog. Some have dealt with the primary interest of the blog, bluegrass music or more widely selected music materials which I see as having relevance to bluegrass. Others are books I read because they attracted my interest when I discovered them, so I requested them as pre-publication galleys from the publishers through several different web sites providing such a service.

Books, like bluegrass festivals, seem to come in seasons. We're in the midst of the run-up to Beach Reading - mysteries, thrillers, light reading ideas for the summer. They come in June with release times suitable for people to purchase for summer reading, thus I've posted several recently and have several more in the pipeline. Fall reading often consists of heavier fiction and more political and social commentary before Christmas season arrives with a bunch of blockbusters. These galleys are released to reviewers anywhere from four to six months in advance of publication dates, permitting plenty of time for reading and reflection before publication of reviews surrounding the release date. Reading is a major part of my recreation and entertainment interests, and I enjoy writing book reviews and criticism. It seems to be pretty well accepted, and I post my book reviews on the blog with shorter versions on Amazon and a reader's web site called Goodreads.

I've been considering re-formatting my blog to separate book reviews of more general interest from my bluegrass material and book reviews pertaining to bluegrass and more general music related topics.  I've been reluctant to undertake this because I think my readers are comfortable with my format, and many bluegrass readers are also book readers, although certainly not a majority. What do you think about this? Are my book reviews interesting and useful to you. Would you prefer that they have their own section on the blog? Please comment here or on Facebook. I look forward to your opinions? - Ted

The Steel Wheels at the Parlor Room - Narthampton, MA

The Steel Wheels

We first saw The Steel Wheels at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival three weeks ago and were blown away. About fifteen minutes into their show, Irene turned to me a said, "Go buy all their CD's." That never happens! We listened to them all the way home during the next two days. When we learned they were going to be at the Parlor Room in nearby Northampton, MA we quickly made our reservations for seats in the small (fifty seats), elegant room, making sure we got there early enough to assure the kind of seats we wanted.  

The Parlor Room

 

Located just off Main Street in downtown Northampton, home of Smith College, The Parlor Room is sparsely decorated with pictures of the many performers who've come through over the years. It has small tables and a few rows of seats as well as very good, warm sound. A snack bar in the rear serves coffee, tea, and soft drinks as well as home made cookies. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own beer or food, and there's The Woodstar Cafe next door serving a wide variety of snacks, pastries, sandwiches, and meals at reasonable prices. There's paid parking in a lot nearby,  but precious little street parking in this very busy small town. The Parlor Room is an excellent venue for hearing all sorts of music. 

The Steel Wheels have forged a unique sound, simultaneously spare and haunting while being rich and full-bodied. Their music is soundly grounded in the Appalachian chain from which they spring, yet informed by their shared Mennonite backgrounds and deep commitment to building community as they seek to have their music reflect their lives. An example of this fusion can be found in their annual bicycle tour in which they bike from gig to gig. This year's bike tour will be in North Carolina. Called Spoke Songs, it happens in late August. The dates are on their tour schedule. They combine mountain sounds with Cajun lilt and some nearly bluegrassy tunes. Whatever their influences, and they are many, the Steel Wheels remain unique.

Trent Wagler

 

In prefacing "Red Wing," a traditional song his grandfather taught him, Trent Wagler comments that their music is deeply grounded in tradition, but takes from all the influences present in today's music. He speaks of the responsibility of carrying on tradition while, at the same time, handing it off to the next generation to take it where they will with  respect and the courage to interpret it in their own way. Here's a video of Steel Wheels singing "Red Wing."

Steel Wheels - Red Wing - Video

 

Clustered around the single mic, Steel Wheels is always a team. Often Wagler's distinctive voice dominates, but the trio and even quartet melds seamlessly as a melodious whole when called on. Jay Lapp on mandolin and guitar sings close harmony and sometimes dominates the stage, peering directly into the audience with intensity. Eric Brubaker on fiddle is tall and lithe, wrapping himself around his instrument and then caressing the sound.   Brian Dickle on bass anchors the band with a strong, but never overwhelming, beat, always right in place to sing or play and his bowed bass provides an exquisite drone. The complex choreography helps keep interest high while never seeming forced, even while their instruments are miced. The sound is fully acoustic, and full-bodied without ever becoming overwhelmingly loud.

 Jay Lapp with Eric Brubaker

Eric Brubaker

Brian Dickle

The Steel Wheels - I Don't Love You Like I Should - Video

There's a sense of connection between audiences and The Steel Wheels, a feeling of being in direct contact with the music, the band, and the individuals in the band in one of their performances. They reach out with real emotion borne of experience and their own connection to their roots. Attending one of their shows, especially in an intimate setting like the Parlor Room, is one of shared experience that's not common in musical performance, but when it happens, it's electric and immediate. 

The Red Wing Roots Music Festival

The Steel Wheels will be hosting their own festival, The Red Wing Roots Music Festival, from July 12 - 14, 2013 in Mt. Solon, VA. This family friendly festival will be a no smoking event (of which there should be lots more) with carefully controlled adult beverages and one of the best lineups around. We tried to figure a way to get there this year, but just couldn't work it out, but it sure looks and sounds like a good one.

With music varying from plaintive ballads to rousing, dance inspiring, spirit lifting tunes, the Steel Wheels are not to be missed. Listen to this medley and Enjoy!

The Steel Wheels - Blueridge Mountains/Honey Bear/Hangman's Reel

Video

 

The Steel Wheels will be performing in Collinsville, CT this evening and in Clinton, NY tomorrow. Check out their tour dates.

If You Were Here by Alafair Burke - Book Review

Perhaps the most difficult paragraph to write in a novel is the first one. In the space of a hundred or so words, the writer must convince the reader to continue more deeply, to get to know the characters, to delve further into an imagined world. Once again, Alafair Burke has accomplished this in her ninth noveI If You Were Here (Harper-Collins, 2013, 384 pages, $26.99).

On a subway platform in New York, Nicky Cervantes, an athletic kid who needs money rips a cell phone from the hands of a seemingly defenseless woman and begins to run away. Instead of standing and screaming, the woman chases him along the platform, he slips and falls onto the tracks as a train is approaching. Whereupon, the woman jumps to the tracks and lifts him back onto the platform, rescues her phone and disappears into the crowd, initiating a short-lived story in the press and a much more interesting story as journalist McKenna Jordan is sent a blurry phone recording of the incident and recognizes her long lost friend, Susan Hauptman.

McKenna's, known as Kenzie, back story emerges as the novel progresses. Once a promising assistant district attorney in New York, Kenzie and Susan, a West Point graduate and daughter of a powerful and manipulative father, a general himself, has been in hiding, missing for ten years and presumed dead, except for the continue search by her friend. Kenzie's husband Patrick is also a West Point graduate who was introduced to her by Susan. Kenzie's editor at a magazine looking a lot like a cross between New York Magazine and a neighborhood slinger, assigns her to write a story about a case involving a police shooting of a young black man that had, seemingly through her own error, ruined her career. The two separate threads run together as mysterious coincidences wipe the phone video from all known sources and her career is once again ruined. She embarks on two campaigns, one to find her friend and the other to explore the earlier case, which soon seem to merge in strange and mysterious ways. There follows a story fraught with dangers for Kenzie as she seeks to restore her reputation and explore Susan's disappearance, amidst discovering a hidden life and experiencing increasing doubts about Susan's relationship with Patrick.

Burke, a former prosecutor herself, has refined the hanging chapter ending, multiple alternative story lines, and the development of complex plot lines that keep the reader moving forward in her novels. If You Were Here is a standalone story combining investigative journalism with a legal/police procedural that becomes increasingly convoluted as Kenzie digs deeper and enters into a world of potential danger to herself. A dark, mysterious character calling himself Michael Carter is a master of spycraft who is eliminating Kenzie's clues as she discovers them, responding to the dictates of an unknown master. Meanwhile, Kenzie is revisting the incident that led to her leaving the DA's office. McKenna Jordan has the potential to be the central character in a new series of novels, which would be the third Burke has embarked upon. She has yet to settle upon a character she wishes to develop or to take on the longer literary novel that might prove to be a breakout for her. The present novel becomes somewhat mired in legal issues and police procedure before successfully resolving itself. It also lurches between being a taught thriller and an exploration of Kenzie's relationships. I wondered who, exactly, the audience is. 

Alafair Burke

  

Alafair Burke is the author of "two power house series" (Sun-Sentinel) that have earned her a reputation for creating strong, believable, and eminently likable female characters, such as NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher and Portland Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid. Alafair's novels grow out of her experience as a prosecutor in America's police precincts and criminal courtrooms, and have been featured by The Today Show, People Magazine, The New York Times, MSNBC, The Washington Post, USA Today, and The Chicago Sun-Times. Dennis Lehane has called her "one of the finest young crime writers working today." A graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon, Alafair is now a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure. She lives in New York City and spends too much time on Facebook and Twitter, but has no plans to quit.

If You Were Here: A Novel of Suspense (Harper, 2013, 384 pages, $25.99) succeeds on a number of levels, while sometimes becoming mired in legal detail. Alafair Burke can spin a story that keeps the reader moving forward with attractive, though conflicted and complex characters. While the story contains elements of what might be called “women's fiction,” it remains hard-headed and controlled enough to maintain its appeal to most readers of suspense fiction, that is, it toes a line that such writing often crosses in one direction or the other. The book was supplied to me by the publisher through Edelweiss. I read it on my Kindle.

Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival 2013: The Weekend and Final Assessment

In the years we've been coming to Strawberry Park we've never experienced four days of the kind of  clear, warm, delightful weather we had this year. The park, under new management, was crowded and music was superb. The stunning Saturday lineup brought in a sizable day crowd, which responded with enthusiasm to the efforts of all the bands. The highlight of the day, among many better than fine performances, was the Kruger Brothers set with Michael Cleveland sitting in, but that was only a portion of a wonderful day.

The Greecards

The Greencards arrived from Australia a few years ago as a bluegrass band searching for a unique identity and sound. They've found is for sure as they've moved from Nashville to the rich musical environment in Austin, Texas and become a staple of bluesy, jazzy, bands who astound with their versatility. Hardly a bluegrass band any longer, they remain favorites at Strawberry Park. Kym Warner, who has no need to prove anything, showed his bluegrass chops in a guest appearance with the Gibson Brothers on Friday night. Brittany Haas is a delightful addition to the band, while Carl Minor continues as a guitar virtuoso. Bassist and lead singer Carol Young, chose her material well as opening act on Saturday by selecting music ideally suited for that second cup of coffee. 

Carol Young

 

Kym Warner

Carl Minor

Brittany Haas

Carol Young

Roger Moss with Kym & Carol

Quite a Handful

Tripping Lilly on the Workshop Stage

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper - Warmup

Jens Kruger - Always Studying

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

 

Mike Cleveland has proven himself to have remarkable staying power in a world populated with lots of outstanding fiddle players. A musician of remarkable versatility, he powers his way through the great fiddle repertoire while adding his own touch. With his current band, he's surrounded himself with musicians who can stand on their own and work to complement his fiddle repertoire.  Always willing to play more, Mike is a true wonder. This weekend, the band took a backseat to Mike's guest appearance in the Kruger Brother's second set, which is too bad, because they themselves are a worthy band. Singer Josh Richards has added a solid voice and good guitar work, and we hope he'll stay for a while. Nathan Livers and Glenn Gibson have settled in well and make a very nice fit with Michael's style. Flamekeeper has rebuilt itself as a solid backup band for the most highly awarded fiddle player yet.

 Michael Cleveland

Josh Richards

 

Nathan Livers

Tyler Griffith

Glenn Gibson

Josh Richards

Cobra Sound Provided Music Not Too Loud

for Tender Ears 

Irene Looks On from the Merch Tables

The Kruger Brothers

 

The Kruger Brothers moved to Wilkesboro, NC to further develop their Europe nurtured sound through proximity to Doc Watson and the rich musical heritage of Wilkes County.  They bring a classical sensibility and a sensitivity to the sounds of the mountain environment to their music, which reaches from plaintive country ballads to orchestral suites now performed with major symphony orchestras. Jens (pronounced "Yens") Kruger is probably the greatest banjo virtuoso on the planet, his only possible rival being Bela Fleck. He reaches out to his audiences with lightning fast glissandi along with touching them with the most tender melodies imaginable.  Uwe Kruger on guitar is a wonderfully inventive guitar player as well as bringing a deep, resonant baritone voice that can wring hearts. Joel Landsburg, often called the third Kruger Brother, on bass turns the instrument into a solo vehicle which also blends to help create more power than you could imagine a trio developing. Don't ever miss an opportunity to see this wonderful group, as much at home at bluegrass festivals as on concert stages.

 Jens Kruger

Uwe Kruger

Joel Landsberg

The Kruger Brothers second set featured Michael Cleveland as a guest. Whenever this combination happens at a festival, there's real magic. The contrast between the cerebral, soul stirring work of the Kruger Brothers and the hard-driving, in-your-face bluegrass when Michael plays with them is remarkable. Watching the joy on Michael and Jens' faces as they speak musically to each other in call and response fashion, each challenging  and appreciating the other's  greatness provides a signal moment wherever they appear.

 

Jens & Michael

Photos by Steve Ide

 

Dudley & Sally Love Connell

Meghan & Melissa Malbaurn

Mellissa is the New Recreation Director at Strawberry Park

 The Seldom Scene

Seldom Scene created a revolution in bluegrass music. By bringing folk and rock influences into the already well-established amalgam of mountain music, blues, western swing, and country music of which bluegrass was composed, Seldom Scene established forever the versatility of the bluegrass format as well as its ability to adapt to and incorporate new influences in music.  It's interesting that Dudley Connell, lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Seldom Scene, in his day job is an archivist and cataloger for the National Folk Archive of the Smithsonian Institution, since, in his musical work, he has served to celebrate and conserve so much traditional music with two iconic bands. Dudley commented that the role of The Seldom Scene in continuing to produce a sound that affected so many in the 1970's and 1980's is a similar role to that he played in the Johnson Mountain Boys of preserving and re-popularizing the music of the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, and Flatt & Scruggs in the eighties. Other, newer, bands are continuing the same function in bluegrass today of bringing new forms and experiences under the bluegrass umbrella and making it accessible to older, more staid audiences.  Ben Eldridge, the original banjo player with The Scene, continues to tour with them after more than forty years.  Composed of standout musicians at every position, The Seldom Scene continues to entertain and please audiences of all ages.

 Ben Eldridge

 Ronnie Simpkins

Lou Reid

Fred Travers

Dudley Connell

 

The SteelDrivers with Their Fans

Gary Nichols 

Tami Rogers

The SteelDrivers

 The SteelDrivers have carefully nurtured a hard drinking, barroom image while becoming an increasingly disciplined and enjoyable bluegrass band with the emphasis on the blue(s).  Gary Nichols addition as lead singer and guitarist has added to the quality of the band's singing and made the guitar a factor in the band's sound. Brent Truitt is personable and able on the mandolin. When Nichols broke a G-string on Saturday evening, Tami Rogers played and sang a plaintive and deeply affecting traditional gospel song that left the audience breathless with both its quality and the change of pace it represented.  After their afternoon set they stayed at the merch table for a long time and interacted with their young fans as well as their many adult admirers. They communicate an approachability at odds with their adopted image, and most enjoyable.

Gary Nichols

Richard Bailey

Brent Truitt

Tami Rogers

Mike Fleming

Tami Rogers & Mike Fleming

 Gary Nichols

The Strawberry Park Pool Complex

The Adult Pool