Here's what Sing Out   (http://www.singout.org/)  has to offer in way of reviewing the latest in the folk world. Perhaps some of these new releases would please the folk fan on your holiday gift list.

First a song for this week's news. Russian Spy Alexander Litvinendo died Nov. 23rd from high levels of the poison Polonium-210 that were found in his system. Australia's Sydney morning herald today said that the restaurant where he was given the poison is doing a roaring trade
The wife of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko and a contact he met in a London sushi bar have both tested positive for traces of a radioactive substance following the former intelligence officer's death, friends and officials said.

Italian security expert Mario Scaramella was hospitalised after tests confirmed he had been exposed to polonium-210, the rare substance found in Litvinenko's body before he died on November 23.

1. Peggy Seeger - Polonium 422
Almost Commercially Viable -

Speaking of gifts, know that this time of year we are esepcially doused in adds. More prevalent than most are the adds to add fragrance to your life, just educate yourself and know that these petroleum byproducts are life threatening to many. Chemical soups in fragrance are not regulated and protected by trade secrets. Napthalene, paradicholorbenzene, and other chemicals in moth boths and chemicals in air fresheners shouldnt be used near children, pelase. These cause central nervous system damage, dizziness and effects way past asthma- a quarter fo the population reacts severely to fragrance, so investiagete the indgredients before assumeing that frargant procutcts make a welcome and healthy gift idea.  http://www.ourlittleplace.com/chemicals.html

We should no longer accept the counsel of those who tell us that we must fill our world with poisonous chemicals, we should look around and see what other course is open to us."  Rachel Carson

Sloan has a gift at her website for you all - To open your gift, we invite you to visit the Discography page at www.sloanwainwright.com.
There you will find a brand new song "I Believe" - available to all.  Perfect for that iPod Holiday Shuffle.

2. Sloan Wainwright - Tired of Wasting Time 142
Life Grows Back - Derby  Disc

"Sloan W is one of thos singers whose perfrmance is a force of nature. her big alto voice wraps itself around the lyrics then wrps the music around you." Sing Out!

• Wed-Dec-13 Carnegie Hall - The Wainwright Family & Friends Christmas Tix/Info: (212) 247-7800 Showtime 8:00pm. Tickets $29 - $79 Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Sloan Wainwright. Special guests including David Byrne, Laurie Anderson and Teddy Thompson.
• Sat-Dec-16 Katonah, NY The Harvey School Arts Center 260 Jay Street, Route 22 Tix/Info: (914) 232-3161, ext 161 Showtime 8:00pm. Tickets $30.00 The Annual Hometown Christmas Celebration featuring Sloan, The Kennedys, Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams
• Sun-Dec-17 Chester, NY Bodles Opera House 39 Main Street Tix/Info: (845) 469-4595 Doors open at 5:30pm. Tickets $17.50 Holiday Celebration featuring Sloan and The Kennedys Bodles.com

• Antje Duvekot is an emerging gem. People in the know - know. Neil Dorfsman, who has produced the best, signed on early as a fan, as did multi-instrumentalist Seamus Eagan of Solas fame.  Ellis Paul is confidently proclaiming her the next great American folk singer-songwriter. She is a rising talent well poised to be that.
• Duvekot is passionate, different, and clearly no run of the mill singer songwriter. She’s classy, young and fresh. Visually she has that look of a European beauty. Lyrically she suggests a woman beyond her years. She does the hard work that makes her words slip smoothly to our ears. Her writing makes early Suzanne Vega comes to mind;  and her uniqueness - Ani DiFranco.
• Without demanding or trying too hard, her clear vocals and careful wording entrap.  In just minutes she is able to suggest whole stories and people with bits of images and light lines.  In “Anna” we are at the side of a woman whose life flashes back to New Orleans and 1925.  In “Judas” we are made to see another side of a famous story, set as one modern child is up against the perfect image of Jesus while coping with his drunk father.
• In many cuts she paints the wallflower or underdog, so that they shine more interestingly than typical attention grabbers. In “Dandelion” she is the dandelion of the garden, where some do and some dont realize the medical, nutritional and visual gifts formerly overlooked.
• Anjte is challenging the thirsty folk listener.  Artists like this are rare. She’s come  from Germany to Delaware to Boston, but that’s nothing compared to where she’s going.  The public has already crowned her. Her name floods many a “my space” entry as a favorite artist: she’s clearly on her way. – AP

• Long Night Moon is primarily a collection of love songs. The strength of the cd lies in the cumulative effect. Curtis begins with searching for love in “Gonna Find You” , and moves on with subsequent cuts exploring all she wants, “Strange” then all her partner could want “Water and Stone.” On the latter, she is joined by the vocals of Mary Chapin Carpenter.
• Accompaniment ranges from extremely sparse to electric guitar and drums. Musical support is tastefully appropriate without distracting from her intense and feathery vocals, which remain clear, upfront and luring.
• By “It’s a Wonder” Curtis is celebrating the awe of finding an unpretentious and true partner. She addresses the choice of loving out of fear or out of appreciation. Healthy decisions prevail, including the letting go of love you can’t work out in “Rope Swings and Avalanches”
• Not just the love songs address the healthy position of expecting honesty and openness,  and rejecting darkness and secrets. Truth in politics underscore “People look around you” where she juxtaposes images of waving arms on rooftops in New Orleans with the energy spent on marriage debates and other distractions. Mark Erelli adds guitar and co-writing credit.
• Erelli also co-wrote  “Passing Through”, an anthem of generational responsibility. In this easy listening sing along, one line shines as representative of the energy behind the complete work. “If I can’t change the world I’ll change the world within my reach” Several lullabies round out the collection.
• The cover is a simple drawing of eggs allowing for the interpretation of lives impossible to be lived, or the symbol of rebirth.  Jacket colors and font styles are the only poor choices here.  Long Night Moon slowly warms like a comfortable eiderdown, underlining responsible personal and social choices.  – AP

• This compilation consists mostly previously released material of Keith Grimwood and Izra Idlet and covers 16 years of their 30-year collaboration. Performed live in Conway, Arkansas, their home state, it captures the excitement and audience involvement of attending a live Trout Fishing concert.
• The album starts off with a new tune “I’ve Got a Friend (and He Won’t Be Quiet)” which is written with school kids in songwriting workshops. Also penned along with kids are three other songs on the CD; “My Pants Fell Down”, “Alien in My Nose,” and the title track, “My Best Day.”
• The Dynamic Duo (the “Rocky and Bullwinkle of Folk” – SingOut! , Winter 2000) is joined by multi-instrumentalist and long time Trout producer, Fred Bogert, playing accordion, piano, and coronet, Bogert skillfully weaves into the fabric of the performances and adds especially great guitar solos on “I’ve Got a Friend” and “Fill it Up.”
• Keith and Ezra lead the audience in a rousing game of Simon Says during the tune “Simon Says”.  Ezra displays thorough enjoyment while teasing and working the crowd. This album is for kids, but has extreme adult appeal.
• Proud purveyors of silly songs, Trout launch headlong through their self-proclaimed silliest song “Sailing.”  They sing about trials and tribulations of being babysat in “Day Care Blues”. In his introduction, Keith compares the similarities they noticed after playing a day care center the same week they played a federal penitentiary. More silliness continues with “Bob and Bob” – a story of identical snowflakes named Bob. “It’s a Puzzle” also plays on words like another Arkansas native once did “Is…is …till it isn't…then it was”.
• Even though the fifteen tracks on this CD make you feel like you’ve attended a live performance, it is no replacement to catching live Trout. – AP

7 Nancy Tucker - Bees Knees.
Escape of the Slinkys – Clever Songs for Clever Kids- A Gentle Wind

• Nancy Tucker is already well known as an exceptional guitarist, stand up comedian and singer songwriter. Many children’s releases don’t shine with great musicianship, as this one does. All cuts are composed by Tucker except “Most Valuable Player” (Minnie O’Leary) and “It Really Isn’t Garbage” (Dan Einbender)
• In her whimsically wise  “100 Marbles” her pockets full of marbles are weighing her down. She decides to get 100 balloons, hoping to be lifted to a higher perspective on life. “Frank Stein” involves a monster afraid that children are hiding under his bed, but his mother assures him children only exist in movies and books. The title cut is an instrumental “Escape of the Slinkys” showing her virtuosity on guitar. “Bees Knees” is sung to the to the tune of Charleston.
• Accents and funny sounds are used. “Be the Best Bee” has a munchkin-sounding chorus. Scott Petito adds bass and mandolin as well as cricket sounds. Many cuts are tongue twisters with vocabulary too far reaching for preschool. This makes the audience span early school-age years, right before they are grabbed by pop radio.
• In addition to the audio portion of the release are three computer video selections: “Cat and Mouse” “The Train Song” an the “The Shower Song” – AP-

• With Angels Castles and Covers we get exposed to the eclectic mix behind the songs that developed Vance Gilbert into the artist he has became. Gilbert has a unique niche as an African-American folk musician, but this collection is not limited by racial boundaries. Each cover cut is an influence: Al Green, Hendrix, Sam Cook, Todd Rundgren, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell. It reflects a generational approach to what his fans were listening to that developed them into the folk fans that they became.
• This man has always been a gifted guitarist, but his outstanding instrument by far is his voice. There is simply no debate or controversy about it. In control, range and appeal Vance Gilbert has one of the most exquisite masterful vocals on the folk circuit. His chameleon abilities can nail jazz, pop, blues and Motown as well as anyone he covers.
• Contemporary guest artists include Tracy Grammer’s violin on “Save the Last Dance for Me” and harmony on “Heaven Help Us All.” Lori McKenna’s vocals share “Nothing Like the Real Thing.” Gilbert covers Shawn Colvin’s “Cry Like and Angel” with powerful simplicity. He has credited Colvin in the past with launching his decision to support himself by playing music.
• This collection strays from the established humorous side of Gilbert and exhibits more of his vocal dexterity and roots. The artists and writers included should be honored to have vocals of his quality cover their works.  – AP

• "Annie is an artist in the turuest sense of the wrod - imaginative, a skilled preformer, someone who mkaes you think about what she presents to you. Annie disgregards formulas and marches to the beat of her own drummer ...." Sing Out!

10 . John Gorka - (Rogers) Lock Keeper 509
Writing Between the Margins - Red House

• John also pays tribute to two great songwriters who pased away at ages far too young by including stuffing version of "Lock-Keeper" , Stan Rogers conversation between a sailor and a lock-keeper on the St. Lawrence Seaway, and "Snow Don't Fall" a beautiful Townes Van Zandt love song." Sing Out.   These artist influenced who Gorka became as a performer and writer.

12 Repeated, cuz it was so short !
Sloan Wainwright - Tired of Wasting Time 142
Life Grows Back - Derby  Disc

13 David Massengill - Gambler-in-Chief 410
We Will Be Together - Gadfly
about the destruction of the environment -Used to Be
An appetizer for a bunch of different full length projects that hes at various stages of working on.. including a tribute to Dave Van Ronk.

14 Ani Defranco - Milleneum Theatre 317
Reprise - Righteous Babe Records

Compares her to sushi, not everyones taste, but when its fresh and well prepared nothing can beat it.

15 Bob Dylan - The Leeve's Gonna Break
Modern Times - Columbia

"...top shelf Dylan. It sits comfortable alongside The Freewhheelin' or Blonde On Blonde or Blood on the Tracks, truly one for the ages." Sing Out!

16 Duhks - Fox and the Bee 327
Migrations - Sugar Hill

17 Duhks - Down to the river 455
Migrations - Sugar Hill

.."produced by Tim O'Brien the band has taken their music in a new dirction"

18  Sara Hickman - Comfort's Sigh 424
Motherlode - Sleeveless

• Sara comes from the pop side of folk... based since 94 in country western from Austin. She has the voice for blues, pop and folk...otehrloade is sara's 8th adult project and its a two disc release. Disc 1- songs of unversal woe and quiet lamentation in conjunction with womanhood. Disc two, more upbeat about a woman' heart, love, sex, hope, childre, birds and gardens. The range of styles, themes and vocal arrangements is amazing. But the quality is uniformly good." Sing Out!

• Heaven is So High.. and I'm So Far Down - RiskyDisc

"...grounded in American Roots music, Wictor is a contemporary songwirter and interpreter who affectingly dips into folk tradions for inspirations." Sing Out!  - (acoustic lap slide guitar, lap steel, resonator guitar and Dobro)

• "A release of 11 songs they were working on releasing when he suddenly died in 2002" Sing Out!
•  One of the new songs is Gas Station Girl, simple, ships-passing in the night love song-

• The album opens with Dear Mr. Presindent a well written protest song aimed squarely at you know who. Standing in Your memory, (For Phil Ochs) could have been written the month after he died." Sing Out!  "Faith"  time and strenght even when you dont know where to find it, to make a releationship work....Faith focusing on two people and how they will strive to make their lives work together

22 Kate Campbell with Spooner Oldham - They Killed Him 353
For the Living of These Days - Large River

Kate Campbell is a Southern Baptist minister's daughter,... who reminds us that there are other streams of Christian thought beyond what one might hear about on Fox News." Sing Out!

23  Anne Hills - Cloud
Beauty Attends: The Heartsongs of Opal Whiteley - Collective Works
"Art song voyage" Sing Out!  - Opal kept a diary of her interactions with natural world, naming animals and trees. Lots of controversy aroudn this woman who eventually died in an insane asylm in england holding forever to the fact she was decendent of french aristocracy

Folk Plus is hosted and planned by Angela Page and airs Saturdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on WJFF,
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We should no longer accept the counsel of those who tell us that we must fill our world with poisonous chemicals, we should look around and see what other course is open to us."  Rachel Carson
 

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