Brendan Taaffe & The New Line's African Reimagining of Irish & Appalachian Tunes - Can't Hold the Wheel

Zimbabwean mbiras

For the past week, I have not been able to stop listing to Brendan Taaffe & The New Line's new release Can't Hold the Wheel. Taaffe has taken traditional folk songs and rearranged them with a blend of African rhythms many by using the Zimbabwean mbira. This instrument is a series of tuned metal keys fixed to a resonator. Taaffe currently resides in Vermont and has assembled a very talented cast of New England roots musicians for The New Line consisting of Adam Hurt on gourd banjo, Stefan Amidon on percussion and vocals, Colin McCaffrey on electric guitar and bass, Mike Olson on trumpet, and Heather Masse on vocals. Masse's vocals on Doc Watson's Red Rocking Chair and harmonies in The Old Churchyard and Goodnight Irene are sweet. Olson's trumpet in Nobody 'Cept You is like a lulliby and I think Hurt's soft banjo throughout helps blend the African rhythms to American folk. Fall On My Knees, Red Rocking Chair, and Train on the Island are my favorite tracks. For folk lovers, you will enjoy this release. Pair with and enjoy the live music at Brattleboro Vermont's Whetstone Station Brewery. Cheers.

Merlefest 25 - Lineup and Tickets Now Available

Ticket sales for MerleFest 25, presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 26 – 29, 2012,  will begin on Tuesday, November 8, at 2:00 p.m. EST. Ticket purchases can be made on the web at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. The four-day festival will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, gathering to celebrate the memory of musician Eddy Merle Watson, beloved son of American music icon Doc Watson.

The initial lineup reflects the diversity and quality of performers that have become the hallmark of the four-day festival. MerleFest is known for its unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented music from the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, blues, country, Celtic, Cajun, cowboy, zydeco, rock and many other styles that Doc Watson has referred to as “traditional plus.”

“This year’s initial lineup will bring back a little nostalgia for the core MerleFest audience, those fans who return year after year to hear the traditional sounds of roots music. We have some of the leading names in the music industry, of today and yesteryear, lined up to perform at the historic 25^th festival,” says Ted Hagaman, director of the festival. “The MerleFest 25 lineup is made up of many of the artists who have helped make this festival the premier, internationally-recognized event that it has become. And, we are thrilled to welcome back that core fan base that has been with us for the ride all along… and welcome a whole new generation of fans to experience the music, moments and memories that make MerleFest so special.”


The following artists will join host Doc Watson at MerleFest 25: 

• Richard Watson
• Susana and Timmy Abell
• Alberti Flea Circus
• Banknotes 
• Blind Boy Chocolate
• Roy Book Binder
• Laura Boosinger
• The Boxcars
• Jeffery Broussard
• Buffalo Barfield
• Sam Bush
• T. Michael Coleman
• Dailey & Vincent
• The Deep Dark Woods
• Dehlia Low
• Donna the Buffalo
• Casey Driessen
• Enter The Haggis
• Bela Fleck & The Flecktones
• Mary Flower
• The Gibson Brothers
• The Greencards
• Mitch Greenhill
• Stefan Grossman
• Wayne Henderson
• Bob Hill
• David Holt
• The Honeycutters
• Sierra Hull and Highway 111
• The InterACTive Theater of Jef
• Fruteland Jackson
• Johnson’s Crossroad
• Jubal’s Kin
• Kickin Grass Band
• The Kruger Brothers
• Jim Lauderdale

• Jack Lawrence
• Jeff Little
• The Local Boys
• Lost Bayou Ramblers
• Claire Lynch Band
• Dougie MacLean
• Bill Mathis
• Andy May
• Cliff Miller
• Misty River
• Nashville Bluegrass Band
• The Neighbors
• Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile
• Red June
• Tony Rice
• Michael Roach
• Peter Rowan
• Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
• Scythian
• The Sigmon Stringers
• Sims Country Cloggers
• Steve and Ruth Smith
• Joe Smothers
• Snyder Family Band
• The Steel Wheels
• Steep Canyon Rangers
• Marty Stuart
• Tut Taylor
• Tedeschi Trucks Band
• ToneBlazers
• Happy Traum
• Pete and Joan Wernick
• The Wild Rumpus
• Tony Williamson
• Wylie & The Wild West
• Zephyr Lightning Bolts
  

Doc Watson & Earl Scruggs Via The Bluegrass Legacy

Our friends at The Bluegrass Legacy posted this video which contains a performance by Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson. What's extremely timely, as we plan for our Merlefest, is that the video includes footage of Merle Watson - the first time I've seen footage of the late guitarist. The video also reminds me of the impromptu jam sessions that frequently break out at the festival.

Merlefest - Saturday

Saturday's performances was truly phenomenal; an amazing array of talent in one event. The day started with Bearfoot, followed by The Belleville Outfit, The Dixie Bee-Liners, Cadillac Sky, The Farewell Drifters, Missy Raines & The New Hip, Scythian, Spring Creek Bluegrass Band, Patrick Sweany, The Greencards, Ollabelle, Martha Scanlan, David Bromberg, Jim Lauderdale, Doug MacLeod, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, The Belleville Outfit again, Doc Watson, Emmylou Harris, Sam Bush, and finally BeauSoleil. What a lineup and what a day.