Roots Calendar


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Published: Sep 10, 2008

Julie Fowlis

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It's All About the Drums

Cheryl Prashker has persuaded all manner of folkies that they really do like drums. Need more of a hook? This show's got belly dancers and a Full Frontal Folk reunion.

Sept. 13, Steel City Coffeehouse, 203 Bridge St., Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, steelcitycoffeehouse.com.

Slo-Mo's Steel Guitar Summit

Crying and growling, occasionally sighing, that's what steel guitars do best — besides making the lead singer sound extra fine. Slo-Mo brings jazz pedal steeler Jim Cohen together with gospel steel from the Campbell Brothers and Susan Alcorn on lap steel, for a fair sampling of electric sliding sounds.

Sept. 19, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Julie Fowlis

Listening to the old-style Scots songs is a revelation. Fowlis delivers all the emotion and history in one solo voice.

Sept. 23, Grand Theater, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del., 800-37-GRAND, greenwillow.org.

Melvin Taylor

Taylor plays that early electric blues sound, where the guitar is still the star and exquisite runs are finished with a ringing flourish. It's simple, gorgeous, grab-your-heart music.

Sept. 26-27, Warmdaddy's, 1400 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-462-2000, warmdaddys.com.

Shemekia Copeland

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Beoga

This rollicking trad-based Irish quintet from County Antrim is great on the dance tunes — Irish and beyond — but they've got the odd taste for pop once in a while, too. "Dirty Work" with lilt and accordion will either make you sputter with laughter or run for a potty break.

Sept. 27, Commodore Barry Club.

Taj Mahal and Shemekia Copeland

All blues bases are covered here. Taj likes to play old-school acoustic; Shemekia picks up where her late lamented daddy Johnny left off, leading a rousing electric band.

Oct. 2, Keswick Theatre, 291 Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.

John Sebastian and David Grisman, featuring Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys

Ralph Stanley is just about the last man standing from those who made bluegrass a genre, rather than one man's (Monroe's) brand. Grisman was a kid in NYC listening to Monroe who eventually got to play with his hero but soon found he couldn't deny his own world of influences. He went on to irritate traditional country lovers and overjoy the big-eared audience who could love bluegrass instruments playing jazz. John Sebastian — yes, Mister "Welcome Back" — wrote "Nashville Cats" long before that, another tribute to New York kids with radios tuned to the world.

Oct. 9, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

Chris Thile and Edgar Meyer

Bassist Meyer is equally lauded for his classical work and his fusions, be they bluegrass or jazz. Thile started as bluegrass child prodigy on mandolin. He has developed into a singer and writer of equal accomplishment. With enough encouragement from an enthusiastic audience, the potential for brilliant improvising is endless.

Oct. 22, Kimmel Center.

Arlo Guthrie

If you think the suspense of this election is killing you, think of how Arlo feels. So close to the outcome the material should be fresh and zinging.

Nov. 8, Keswick Theatre.