Folk Fest Bets

Who to see at the 2010 Philadelphia Folk Festival, Aug. 20-22

by Mary Armstrong

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Published: Aug 18, 2010

[ all swim in the old pool ]

Taj Mahal may well be the coolest man alive, with that gravelly voice and smooth delivery. The multi-instrumentalist left the New York scene decades back to explore the breadth of roots in California with Ry Cooder and Co. He is still expanding his grasp of world grit, reintroducing the blues to its African ancestors and singing in Spanglish when working with young Chicano acts (Saturday).

Scottish band Malinky will keep the Celtic music fans satisfied. Their sound is traditional and they favor the old songs (Saturday/Sunday).

Some local faves:

1) Tin Bird Choir returns with more of their original songs, many springing from rural Chester County, where they create what they term "barn rock" (Saturday);

2) The king of the soprano sax in these parts, Ken Ulansey is often seen helping out other artists at the festival, sitting in impromptu. This year his Whirled Music Ensemble will focus his premeditated sound (Saturday/Sunday);

3) If you don't have a good time at a Spinning Leaves show, you are immune to fun (Friday/Saturday). You know Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy (Saturday). Working people need a man to speak for them and right now that man is Joe Pug, returning after a warmly received festival debut last year. He is a forceful performer, insistent in his delivery; you will hear his words (Sunday).

4) If you are onsite by Friday afternoon, give Annie & the Beekeepers a chance. At last year's Americana Conference, their spare arrangements and Annie Lynch's tender voice kept a bar full of music-biz cynics paying attention. Could've been the liberal use of cello against acoustic steel guitar. Lynch is an alum of the Boston music scene, where all things are possible for young acoustic composers (Friday).

5) This year the festival has a small Canadian focus area, where you'll find Amelia Curran (see p. 20). On the same stage are Nudie & the Turks, longtime Folk Alliance favorites among those who favor country with a twang over pop smoothness. These guys have the clever word hooks that made Nashville famous (Sunday).

The festival closes with one of the most popular singer/songwriters working today, Richard Thompson, loved as much for his dynamic presence as his refined storytelling (Sunday).

Flight of the Barfly
A Higher Love
Conversations with Enemies
The Quickness
Trey Songz
Bells Bells Bells/Acres of Diamonds