SPPS Folk Alliance Showcase: 02.18.10
Reports are trickling in from the SPPS Memphis Bureau Desk at Folk Alliance 2010.
Our taper Keith Bergendorff says:
“This conference is like heaven for anyone who loves traditional music. It’s a surreal experience to see a Marriott completely overrun by folk musicians, and there is beautiful, heartfelt music being played wherever you turn. While the conference is of course an opportunity for artists to gain exposure, evidence of the love of their craft is abundant everywhere, especially at the late-night private showcases. The SPPS showcase Thursday night concluded with a sprawling bluegrass jam that lasted two and a half hours and concluded long after the promoters had gone to bed.”
Sounds like a rowdy time last night…and we’ve got some evidence to prove it! Check out audio from the weekend and some photos below!
Taper Keith is setting up to capture the craziness…
Bob Carlin stopped by…
…and brought us this awesome poster!
Showcase time! Chicago’s Tangleweed served up some high-energy traditional bluegrass for starters.
Followed by Boston’s Della Mae, featuring the twin fiddles of Kimber Ludiker and Laura Cortese.
Quoting Keith: “They dazzled a standing-room only audience with a blend of delicate and boisterous arrangements.”
Then it’s banjos in the round, with Chris “C-Bob” Elliott and Allison Williams, demonstrating Scruggs and Clawhammer banjo techniques.
Looking mighty dapper there fellas! Keith reports that, “Henhouse Prowlers played with conviction and panache, and showed why they’re among the leading traditonal bands in the Midwest.”
Nashville-based Nora Jean Struthers & Her Band lit up the room next, playing a sunny set of country songs.
Tripping Lily from Cape Cod, Massachusetts closed down the bands portion of the evening. Although they might use traditional instrumentation, as Keith reports, “Their songs are anything but traditional, showcasing their unique perspective on life and acoustic music.”
Then it was open jam session time!
Singing songs until the wee hours.
Who needs sleep?
Thanks to Keith and Garian Vigil for the photos and reports!
Stay tuned tomorrow for wrap-up coverage of tomorrow night’s showcase session.
Meanwhile, you call follow in real time from The Henhouse Prowlers Twitter page
