Rarely — almost never — do I see a band appear nervous at the beginning of a performance. But that was the case with the South Memphis String Band last week at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. They appeared tentative and spoke very, very quietly before beginning their set. Now, it was a quiet room. And, if you’re going to play bluegrass or folk music, you might not find a more suitable place north of the Mason-Dixon Line than Old Town. So, it makes sense that they might feel some added pressure playing in front of such a discerning crowd.
Rightly so, it turns out. It was the crowd that was responsible for making this such a serious occasion — a feeling not normally associated with fine bluegrass music.
I’m conflicted on this show. The main draw here is Luther Dickinson, guitar player for The Black Crowes and front man for the North Mississippi All-Stars (he’s playing guitar and mandolin in the video below.) As a guitar fan, he’s one of those guys you go out of your way to see. So we did. I knew what I was getting into. People were there to hear the music — to study this performance even. But when I leaned close to my brother to ask a question about his soon-to-be one-year-old daughter … we got “shushed” by a woman next to us. That’s right — shushed at a show. Another time, a fan’s mobile phone rang. As he scrambled to dig it out of his pocket to silence it, icy stares bore into his skull and head shaking spread like a disapproving virus. Here’s the thing:
- It’s a bluegrass show. As in, the knee-slapping, beer-swilling, hootenanny style of music.
- They sell beer outside the theater. People drink beer, usually not in total silence.
- It’s a bluegrass show.
Look – I understand that, to many people in the crowd, this was a special occasion. Many of the songs played are taught at the school and practiced for hours on end by aspiring musicians across the city. I get it. But it’s a show, after all – it’s not a symphony. In part, I blame the band, too. They could have amped it up a bit. A little bit louder and whispered words might not have been an issue.
As for the music itself? Pretty great, actually. As an added bonus, we captured some excellent video before an Old Town employee politely asked us to shut down the camera. You can watch it below.
I want to be clear about one thing: Old Town School of Folk Music is a wonderful place and a pillar of the local music community. We love them. But music is made to be fun, a celebration. Can we lighten up a little, perhaps?
Old Town School’s Chicago Folk and Roots Festival is right around the corner. Every year, the two-day event hosts an eclectic mix of music – you’ll always find something interesting and, most of the time, it’s bands you’ve never heard of. That’s a good thing. This year is no different.
Below are our picks of five performances not to miss this year. If you read Sound Citizen with any regularity, you might recognize one or two of them. If not, you’ll find a few links and a couple of videos here to get familiar.
Held on July 11-12 in spacious Welles Park on Chicago’s northwest side, an $8 donation ($4 for kids) will get you in where, over both days, more than a dozen bands will play. You can also find performance by Old Town School’s student groups and a kids tent with music activities and more. There are also learning opportunities – from dance lessons to open jam sessions, so bring your instrument.
For $8, the Chicago Folk and Roots Festival is a downright bargain. Be there. We will be.
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears – 8:30 pm, Saturday, July 11
This is a band quickly on the rise. We wrote about them before, so check out Black Joe Lewis is on Tour.
HoneyHoney – 7:00 pm, Saturday, July 11
Honey Honey is comprised of Suzanne Santo and Ben Jaffe, two very talented musicians from Venice, California. Santo’s voice is crisp but sultry and bluesy, and complemented wonderfully by rolling rhythms provided by Jaffe. The style is simple, catchy and played with precision. Below is their video for Little Toy Gun, directed by Kiefer Sutherland. You might also like this version of “Sugarcane” played in what looks like a subway station.
Karsh Kale – 8:30 pm, Sunday, July 12
While growing up in New York, Karsh Kale (pronounced Kursh Kah-lay) has fully embraced his Indian heritage through a mastery of percussion. What you’ll hear on Sunday is a mix of this traditional drumming style, with a little techno. Together, it’s a unique sound that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble – 4:55 pm, Sunday, July 12
Maybe my New Orleans upbringing put these guys on the list but this guy is talented, as is his band. And who doesn’t love a little Zydeco every now and then? The forecast is in the 80′s, so you might just feel a little of the bayou during what’s sure to be an energizing performance from a New Orleans original. Laisser les bons temps rouler!
Midwest Fiddle Championship – 12:55 pm, Saturday, July 11
No folk festival would be complete without some dueling fiddles. That’s exactly what you’ll find here, as five artists compete for $1,200 in prize money. The event is sponsored by the Fiddle Club of the World, Chicago Chapter.
Enjoy the festival, and leave a comment if you have any other suggestions! Visit the official website for more details and full schedules of performances and activities.
